This letter will be short (I think) but in my seldom to be humble opinion, pointed to "political correctness"...Chef Don style. Take it for what it's
worth.
    Some of us will be attending the ACF National Convention in Las Vegas in a few days. The timing of this letter was held up purposely so that my thoughts might be fresh in your minds before leaving.
    Added to the culinary theme of this year's convention there will be ACF business to address and as Chapter Presidents, the National Board of
Governors, it becomes incumbent upon us to be wise and vigilant on each of the proposals that will be presented to us for passage or rejection. As I
understand it.....so far I have not received any proposals by mail, electronic or over land, addressing what the National Officers, Board of
Directors have in mind for our attention. Maybe another surprise But here is some of what I know: A location for the ACF National headquarters will be presented with the following sites in "mind:" Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville Florida. I suppose there are pros and cons on this matter....ours will be input, and I'm told the assembly with have a serious say before our elected National Board makes a final decision but the final decision will be indeed that of our elected Board of Directors with
the suggestions from the "Search Committee." Please, and speak now to attending Chapter presidents, listen carefully and be aware of every
possible benefit and/or short fall that will come with the final choice....question and seek answers to all your concerns. Make it known,
that if you "see" trouble ahead, you want that "trouble" addressed, resolved or have the board go to square one and look hard and clearly before making
the selection. It will be final (for now.)
   
    We will be asked to accept the 2003 budget. Again a "committee" has been working very hard to set into place a good and sensible budget. We will
again have to look at it, line by line, and absorb the mind set of the folks who developed it. It must fit a design that accommodates the membership's
needs and it further needs to cut, big time all the pork, un-necessary or avoidable travel. I for one believe in the integrity and honesty of our National Treasurer, Chef Mark Wright. However, I will be looking out for errors and over sights that often occur when one sits in the middle of designing something as important as a budget and who, while working so hard perfecting it....they lose sight, sometimes, of the small stuff that can slip between the cracks and mean a great deal to many of us and our Chapters.

    Now to the Academy. For those of us who are Academy members, I point out that there is no need to re-invent the wheel! I understand that Chef John Minitti, AAC has been suggested as possible Academy Chair and will accept nomination for the post. John has worked very hard and in close harmony with Chef Fritz, AAC Chair, to bring about change, modernize and continues the work begun by Chef Bert Catino, AAC. Seldom easy, the Vice Chairperson was in the shadow of the great men who mentored and guided him through the development of a sound and active Academy. Should someone else prevail, (and, sure, anyone of us could take the Chair of the Academy, but what would we do with it once we had it? Just a little food for thought!) We would probably try to re-invent the wheel, as always happens when a new person takes the leadership. Maybe even back slide, lose the support of the many under writers and contributors to the Academy projects and initiatives that
Chef Bert and Chef Fritz AND Chef Minitti worked so hard to establish. To back up John Minitti, Chef Tom Macrina, AAC will accept the nomination for Vice Chair. I can not think of anyone among us who loves the ACF and its Academy more than Chef Tom. Mature, never impulsive and always looking out for the benefit of the whole and not the special interest cliques...and there are cliques, you know. Tom Macrina is, as I see him, one of the future leaders with in our federation....the new breed. A man with fresh ideas that weave in traditional as well and the tried and true...just like a great recipe, he'll re-work the ingredients so the profile will remain stable while introducing new innovative ideas and strategies into the mix. How better to attract new customers? Not a new recipe, but a better one. This team will indeed, in my opinion, be the basis of a forward thinking Academy with out interrupting what is already in place....they will build upon what has been started and improve, modify and remodel the AAC for the future. They have the experience but lack personal agenda...imagine that! Look hard, then elect the right people.

    So much for a short letter! But as I said at the beginning....this is my "Politically Correct" position on all the above stated issues that will come before us at Convention. Although we will be few in numbers, from New York Chapters, we still have a voice, and for heaven's sake, use it!

    Have a great summer all, and I'll report on the Convention in the August letter. ....and as always, support the National Board, especially Chef Jim Taylor,