ORIGINAL: kid chuckles
What has Mark Smith said? He does not and has not answered any questions put to him. He does talk but says in most posts he will look into something or will bring it to the EC attention. But does not state how he will fix anything or do anything about anything. He is nice about it though. But nice is not what we are voting on. I would vote for him also if it were voting which one had the best persona. Nice and courtious I would bet he is real nice and courtious to the two fellas on the PPP board with him REAL NICE. Probabaly to the point of buying them blinkers to wear so he don't hurt his neck when they turn. This is not the man for the job he is a friend of the pres. and that is all he is. Without that you would not even know who he is and no one else would either because he would more than likely not be in any kind of postion with the AMA. He has shown one thing and only one and that is if you scratch my back I will yours and to heck with what the outcome is.
I would respectfully request that you read or re-read his campaign statement. His record of service to the AMA is at the very least equal, if not superior, to that of the other candidate. Elected by the members in his district and serving his term to present. Other selfless involvements in his community are also listed. No grandiose claims of unverified or questionable accomplishments. Just a long record of success and service.
Who would have thought being nice, and being easy to work with would be a perceived as a negative. In the real world, those are the people who accomplish goals and make a real difference. Being approachable, open minded, and willing to listen to others is a positive character trait that would help the AMA achieve it's near and long term visions for the future of aero modeling.
The innuendo of corruption leveled at him by the other candidate, picked up and run with by his "supporters", have no standing other than to illustrate what some would do to further their own candidacy and an indication of what their modus operandi would be should they make it to Muncie.