Archives for March 2009
Chicago 2016 Olympics Update: “Shocked.” “Surprised.” “Not Happy.”
Chicago Tribune reports:
Jim Scherr resigns as head of United States Olympic Committee
Resignation of USOC chief executive hurts key image of continuity
“I was disappointed. I don’t think it helps in any way, but I don’t think it damages us,” Chicago 2016 Chairman Patrick Ryan said Thursday. “[But] I was shocked. I’m surprised. Not happy.”
In the four years before Scherr took over, first as acting CEO and then permanent boss, the USOC had four presidents, four CEOs and four marketing directors.
The stability since his arrival allowed the USOC and Chicago to establish what both sides called an unprecedented partnership to promote a U.S. bid. Ctvrtlik, the USOC vice president of international relations, has a key role in that partnership.
Now Chicago must waste time and energy before the Oct. 2 vote for the 2016 host in trying to explain why the USOC once again has an new CEO. Stephanie Streeter of Neenah, Wis., was given the job on an interim basis.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-06-usoc-jim-scherr-resignatimar06,0,614314.story
CNN Sports Illustrated takes a look:
Scherr’s abrupt resignation leaves questions throughout USOC
sportsillustrated.cnn.com – Brian Cazenue – Inside Olympic Sports
Jim Scherr’s abrupt resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee leaves several questions: Why is he out, what does it mean for the USOC and could his resignation affect Chicago’s chances to land the 2016 Olympics when the IOC awards those Games in October? Is an organization that had righted its ship after years of dysfunction now setting itself up for another era of wayward management or merely adjusting its priorities in a tough economy?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brian_cazeneuve/03/06/brian.cazenue/
Proposed Illinois Tax Bill Adverse to Boaters Stalled
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) press release:
Proposed Illinois Luxury Tax on Boats Withdrawn From Consideration
Boating organizations, including NMMA, were prepared to testify
Chicago, IL
February 26, 2009 – Today, the Illinois State Legislature’s Revenue and Finance Committee decided not to move forward with HB 451, a bill to impose a five percent luxury tax on vessels sold in Illinois over a purchase price of $200,000. Mark Adams, vice president of sportshows for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), along with opponents from six different marine-related organizations and businesses, attended the hearing to testify in opposition to the tax. However, before testimonies could be heard, the committee echoed industry concerns about the tax and withheld a motion to take up the legislation.
The proposed tax would have had a devastating effect on Illinois’ marine businesses, causing buyers to hold off on buying boats or cross state lines to make purchases. In the early 1990s, a similar national luxury tax on boats was enacted, only to be repealed two years later because the tax cost more to collect than the revenue it earned. The tax also led to 19,000 lay offs, cut boat sales by 40 percent, pushed tax revenue from boat sales to below pre-luxury tax levels and forced several brands of boats into bankruptcy.
“While we understand Illinois must address its looming budget deficit, we are pleased the committee realizes a counter-productive tax like this one is not the answer,” said David Dickerson, National Marine Manufacturers Association director of state government relations. “Despite assurances from the bill sponsor that similar measures will not be pursued, we will continue to monitor any new legislation moving forward,” Dickerson said.
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.
Northern Trust WAS a Chicago sailboat race sponsor!
Northern Trust was a past sponsor of the Chicago to Mackinac Sailboat Race and the Verve Cup Regatta.
Oops! Even after racing in these events, I was unaware of Northern Trust past race sponsorship.
(Maybe such obscurity is the reason why they no longer participate? It’s a purely speculative observation, but we wonder about such things.)
We recognize the challenges and hard work involving race sponsorship, and offer our thanks to all race sponsors and volunteers for the efforts that make sailboat racing possible.
(Of course, you knew that already, so it should go without saying. But we like to say it again anyway.)
