Varsity Crews |
|
Beaumont Chapter Football Officials Association Present: Pres. Gary Downey, 1st VP John Ballard, 2nd VP Greg Peveto, Sec/Tr. Geoff Kret, Div. 1 Rep Bob Wortham, Div. 2 Rep Wayne Pratt, Div. 3 Rep. David Landrum, Div. 5 Rep Greg Sims, North Co. Assignor George Bryant Absent: M/L Banks Winn, Div. 4 Rep Mike Defee, South Co.
Assignor Larry Bennett, Sgt-at-Arms Eric Carcerano The Board of Directors of the Beaumont Chapter met at Bob Wortham's residence on 3 November 2003. The board met to discuss one item: the Charles Graham / Kountze incident of October 17, 2003. It is noted for the record that 7 voting members of the board were present and that the President did not have a vote except in case of a tie. Therefore, a quorum of the board existed. President Downey presented to the board a packet consisting of the letter of complaint from Todd Sutherland, Kountze Athletic Director, a statement by Mr. Michael Burns regarding the clock keepers statement to him following the game, a letter from the Chapter Secretary to Mr. Graham requiring his side of the story, Mr. Graham's mailed response, a record of Mr. Graham's disciplinary actions since 2000, and interview transcripts that Mr. Downey conducted with the game announcer and clock keeper. Over an hour's worth of discussion followed about this incident, Mr. Graham's record of incidents and disciplinary history, and comparisons to other disciplinary measures taken against other chapter members this season. The unanimous sentiment of the board was that this event was a significant incident that warranted some kind of action. Bob Wortham made a motion to find Mr. Charles Graham guilty of conduct unbecoming an official. Second was by David Landrum. The vote carried unanimously. More discussion was held regarding the level of sanctions that should be applied to Mr. Graham, considering this incident, his history, and other sanctions handed out this year by this board to other chapter members. The board was somewhat split on the level of sanctions that Mr. Graham should receive. One voting member was for a letter of reprimand, two voting members were for a one year suspension, and 4 voting members were for a two year suspension. No one argued for outright permanent expulsion. Following arguments by more than one board member that the sanctions needed to be another incremental step in a progressive line of discipline, Mr. Wortham moved to hand Mr. Graham a suspension from all chapter activities for 2004, which by chapter policies automatically made him ineligible for varsity games in 2005. Second was by John Ballard. The motion carried by a poll vote with six for the motion and one, the Division II representative expressly wanting on the record, against. Three of the voting members expressly wanted it noted on the record that they concurred with the successful motion, but would have preferred a stronger measure. It was agreed that Mr. Downey would send a notice to Mr. Graham of the decision of the board, and that in agreement with chapter and TASO Due Process procedures, he had until December 31, 2003 to notify the board if he wanted to make an appeal to the chapter membership.
Geoffrey Kret, Secretary |