Condolences to the Family and Friends of Robert McNulty

Robert A. McNulty

Robert A. McNulty, 80, of Carthage, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at his home. 

A native of Scranton, Pa., he was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a Standard Bred Horse driver and trainer and operated the Eastwood Tack Shop until his retirement. 

Services: 3:30 p.m. Monday at Pinelawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Southern Pines with military honors, directed by Fry and Prickett Funeral Home, Carthage.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. today (Sunday) at the funeral home.   Survivors: his wife, Catherine H. McNulty; a daughter, Roberta LaClair, of Carthage; two sisters, Patricia Enright, of Auburn, N.Y., and Sally Walch, of Lanesboro, Pa.; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Condolences: wwwfryandprickett.com.

October 29, 2008

Contract Update

Discussion: Points for contract negotiations we are concerned about and considering.

1.                  A three (3) year contract.

2.                  900 stalls to be made available at Vernon Downs as a large CAFO facility for which we would consider a deduction of $1.00/day (similar to charge at Monticello Raceway, etc.) to be taken from a portion of VGM revenues off the top. Additionally, written protections for Vernon regular horsemen who are not under a New York State Racing and Wagering Board suspension (as our contract currently provides).

3.                  Out of meet stall rent currently @ $100.00/month.

4.                  TC02 testing to continue to be done by the New York State laboratory at Cornell University. We would consider the track conducting these tests only with approved equipment under laboratory conditions and with realistic safeguards against false positives; none of which exists at any racetrack where TCO2 testing is conducted by the track. This is a complicated issue, as we know from experiences at Saratoga.

5.                  Increased race days to compensate for New York Sire Stakes events.

6.                  We would consider supporting the track owners’ desire to race horses in overnights if it were coupled with a provision that ensured horsemen who raced in 2008 be allowed to continue to participate at a New York State track where he or she had been racing unless he or she is under suspension by the NYSR&WB.

7.                  We don’t believe that increasing the amount of money taken from our overnights into stakes/early or late closers by allowing more money to be taken from overnights to pay for elimination legs. That does not serve the interests of for our local horsemen. We are seeking the return of the Lotto S. Collins-type races for non-winners of two early in the meet.

8.                  The return of health insurance is certainly in its infancy stages and we are trying to make it more affordable. We would certainly like to partner up with Tioga, Buffalo, Monticello, Saratoga, Yonkers, Batavia, as everyone would benefit even more. That, however, needs to be done through cooperation with other horsemen’s associations. While we would welcome cooperation from any of the track managements, the control of these benefits must remain in the hands of the horsemen paying for them.

For well over two months, we sought a sit down with management, and even went so far as to ask for a mediation session before the NYSR&WB (after the requests for a sit down negotiation session were refused). Management would not agree, and only sat down with our Board, the recognized horsemen’s representative, on October 18^th. At least we had one face-to-face meeting, and are encouraged that things could be worked out in negotiations between your Board and Management.

We have decided to provide you with this brief overview so you may have some idea of our positions and views in matters that are of concern to us. We are, and have been, sincere in our efforts to negotiate. Certainly, we have been made aware of Management’s desires in a new contract. While we respect its positions, we ask that the positions we maintain on issues such as stall rent, off-meet stabling, overnights vs. stakes percentages, etc. likewise be respected. They are also legitimate, and need to be considered in an overall package defining the terms and conditions under which racing is to be conducted at Vernon Downs, without any need for the litigation or acrimony that unfortunately has occurred in the past.

We’ll keep you informed as circumstances warrant.

August 21, 2008

Health insurance is available to all horsemen.

The Harness Horse Association contribution for members towards health insurance has been raised.  Contact Joe D’Agostino for details.