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Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots December 1st Edition

By Hartley Miller

A day prior to the November 19th Civic Election, President Dan Martin, and Vice-President John Morrison, of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association (PGMHA) publicly endorsed a select group of candidates. Who says politics and sports don't mix? 

The main issue centered on local hockey arenas and their deteriorating state. Martin and Morrison supported the candidates that addressed their concerns in this area. 

As you can imagine, this political stance created quite a stir, especially among the PGMHA Board of Directors. A meeting was organized, with the intent to “clear the air”, although the election results were already tabulated. This angered many PGMHA Executive Members including Rep Supervisor, Darren Witala, who did not hold back with his thoughts: “What upset me most about the issue was the fact if we are going to put our name on something then it should be done as a whole Board decision. All candidates should have been given the opportunity to address the issue. Witala admits he is still disturbed that, “Our President and Vice President wanted to, I guess, use their titles with Minor Hockey like that. I just don't think it was Minor Hockey's position to get involved with politics”. He sums up his feelings by stating “I didn't think it was done with a lot of class”. 

In his defense, Martin says, “The idea behind it was we were trying to get some action going on to try and get the Kin Centres put in better shape. And because of the timing we never had a chance to go to the Board. 

Regarding the uproar, Martin admits “that the Board wanted to make sure people were aware that it wasn't the Board's decision that it was John (Morrison's) and my decision”. Martin considers it a dead issue and downplays the situation by stating “If people in Minor Hockey are having trouble with it, they are not bringing it to my attention. All we were really trying to do is to improve the arenas”. 

This issue also angered other municipal candidates, who were ticked because they were not contacted by the group (which included Martin, Morrison and PG Rec Hockey) who were raising the issue. 

Elected officials of non profit youth organizations should speak for themselves on political issues without representing their organization, unless that Board has endorsed a political stance. 

Instead of speaking to a few select candidates, an organization that has vested interests on political platforms, should consider hosting or attending an all-candidates forum, at which time issues can be addressed. 

It's widely known that internal politics are embedded within many sports organizations. Making public statements sanctioning a group of candidates further enhances that perception. Therefore, elected officials should refrain from entering the political arena.
 
In a perfect world, athletes should strive for excellence regardless of their political beliefs. On a global basis, this may be unrealistic, but each one of us can do our small part to separate politics and sports. If we learn this lesson, our athletes will be much better off. And really, isn't that what it's all about?


From the quote rack: 

?The late Alabama football coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant, when asked if he'd like to contribute $10 toward funeral expenses for a destitute sportswriter: "Here's $20. Bury two." 

? Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, on reports that a 1,400-pound meteorite was found in Kansas: "Witnesses said it looked surprisingly like one of Shaq's free throws." 

?Comedian Alex Kaseberg, after the Hanna High basketball team lost to Earlsboro 112-2 in Oklahoma: How’d you like to be the guy who scored the loser’s lone basket? “The good news, Dad? I was the team’s high scorer . . .” 

?Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press, after former NHL player Rudy Poeschek agreed to move back to Canada and not drive as part of a plea deal to settle a series of vehicular charges: "I guess now we know why Poeschek was always considered a stay-at-home defenseman."

And, how is your week?

--Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He also writes for the PG Free Press, and is author of You Don't Say (Andrews-McMeel, 2005).

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