Re: RGRPC Board Members

C'mon John, not like you to be repeating misinformation started by others. " /> I was surprised to see you say that "The origional RGRPC was made of Friends BOD members and there were MANY problems that were caused by the arrangement". In fact, the original RGRPC board had only two members who were also members of the Friends Board, Jeff Gordon and Warren Smalley, and four others who were not, John Craft, Joe Vigil, John West, and me.
Then during 2002 Bill Albert, Rich Casford, and Bob Witter became board members (none of them being on the Friends Board), with Gordon and Smalley continuing on both boards. The president of the Friends also served on the RGRPC board but only in an ex officio, non-voting capacity.
In my two years on the RGRPC board and as one of the individuals responsible for forming RGRPC, I can clearly state, without fear of contradiction, that the Friends directors and officers, as a matter of sound policy, always avoided involvement in RGRPC matters for the simple reason that the liabilities and risks of operating a tourist railroad were and are high, and Friends board members sensibly did not wish to expose themselves to such exposure. RGRPC directors carried D&O insurance to protect ourselves from such risks.
The only direct involvement by the Friends board was a requirement under IRS regulations that the Friends board annually appoint the RGRPC directors. This was necessary under the 501(C)3 supporting/supported structure recommended to us by tax counsel.
Since you, Geof, Warren, and I all continue to be involved in Friends work sessions I hope you have an opportunity to talk with them and me this summer about the RGRPC years. My back surgery went really well last week, and I expect to be at the Friends annual meeting on June 22. Hope to see you then.