[Bob_D]

I was wondering when this was going to come up on the forum. Although I'm not privy to all the political goings on at Rhinebeck, I've spent more volunteer hours up there for the past few seasons than most of the non-paid personnel. I truly love the place and have been a visitor since the days of Cole, Dick King, Dave Fox, etc. I am truly, truly disheartened by the turn of events there. I know that this will step on a few of the board members feet by saying this, but the arrogance and short sightedness of certain people in charge are in my opinion, tearing the very heart out of Cole Palen's dream. If any of you know Tom Polapink, the once long standing director at ORA, then you are aware of the tireless and selfless effort that he put forth in his tenure there. He was an integral cog in the daily goings on and a sincerely friendly and appreciative liaison with the volunteer force. Since his "resignation" at the hands of "the board", many of the very important and necessary PR functions have fallen by the way side (the failure to update the website is a prime example). Enter Steve Cunningham. Brought in from the outside as an effort to dictate the edicts of the powers that be, Steve faced a difficult situation stepping in as a stranger to the family at OR. In time it was apparent that he did have some very innovative and forward thinking ideas to initiate. Although Tom was missed, I think the crew embraced Steve and the projects that he had planned. Then after two weeks on the job, for whatever reason, the ax falls AGAIN! It seems that there is no room for reason or compromise when your ideas or opinions conflict with the despot. Needless to say, this very unexpected turn of events pretty much threw the place in a state of confusion and disbelief. Additionally there are both major and minor (but no less important) individuals who have been part of the Rhinebeck family for years that are no longer involved. I can go on and on about the contributions made by people like Tom, Steve, Scott McKensie(Sp), Ken Cassens, Kurt Muller, Richard King, Carl Kopeckney(Sp)etc. They have all been stung and disrespected by a governing board with what seems their own private agenda. Again, I am saddened by the turn of events and would hope that those who love and respect Cole's dream to band together and help save ORA from the few individuals "in charge" who can't seem to see the forest for the trees. I'll say again that these are my personal observations and I am not privileged to the goings on of the inner circle, but it doesn't take a genius to see that indeed, "something is rotten in Denmark".