Newsom Must Be Replaced

For those of you who are not already aware, the QCCA website is now dedicated almost entirely to the mission of harming the reputation of "Leland Fuerstman?" Not, National Master Leland Fuerstman?! ... I was awarded the Title of National Master in 1985; an achievement which Gary Newsom will NEVER attain. My lifetime record against him is 22-5-14. Yet, he continues to display his overt disrespect by
intentionally failing to acknowledge my Title which the USCF approved and certified in 1985. In essence, not only is Newsom illegally attempting to prevent me from participating in NCCA tournament competition, but he has decided to strip me of my National Master title, as well?!

Newsom's most recent disturbing diatribe may be located on the QCCA Website entitled "The Fuerstman Ban is Proper and Necessary." You will need to pack your lunch if you intend to read the thing straight through?! It is the most contorted concoction of vitriolic BS I have ever read.  Each one of his skewed accusations can be easily contradicted. Little of it actually addresses the issues.
Reading it reminded me of the ramblings of a very disturbed person?! Most of it is an obvious "personal attack" of NM Leland Fuerstman which includes the absolutely untrue statement that I have "libeled" people. The fact is, I have never been charged with nor convicted of any such crime in my entire life. Making such an irresponsible statement is libel in of itself! That, coupled with an orchestrated attempt to prevent me from simply voicing my opinion and sharing an occasional charientism, convinces me that Newsom is unfit to be President of the NCCA.

Yet, when one signs off on the posted "rules" of their message board, it clearly states that "personal attacks" are strictly forbidden? So exactly what gave Newsom the right to post such a toxic message? Particularly, after I made such a truly genuine attempt to put this entire matter to rest? Sometimes I just don't quite understand his motivations...

Furthermore, shortly after my recent visit to the QCCA chess club, where they all individually welcomed me, but it was not "genuine," I was notified by the NCCA "Legal Adviser" that he again had total control of the decision making function of the NCCA and that all communications should go to him? It also included another "gag order?!" Has their most recent act of martial law been rescinded? Because, Gary Newsom certainly didn't observe any "gag order?" Instead, he purposely exacerbated the situation by posting another negative diatribe on the QCCA message board?

Newsom's real problem is that due to his incompetence, lack of experience and sheer ignorance of the USCF rules, he became childishly angry at anyone who attempted to offer the least bit of constructive criticism. And, with absolutely no authority whatsoever, he proceeded to make up a special set of rules and punishments specifically designed to sanction NM Leland Fuerstman? Sorry, Dude? I am not required to abide by your personal set of rules!? I honor the rules which are published in the USCF Rulebook. And, since you probably still have not read them, violations only occur during the course of tournament play. They do NOT include messages posted on message boards.

The feeble excuse that NM Leland Fuerstman renounced his membership to the NCCA or any other organization has absolutely no bearing on a USCF member's right to participate in tournament play, period. Furthermore, until a few days ago when someone mysteriously  changed their expiration dates, two of their officers had NCCA memberships which had expired more than 6 months ago? Why have they been allowed to compete?

Newsom's attempt to prevent me from participating clearly violates USCF rules. And, contrary to the intentional spin he put on it, USCF Executive Director Bill Hall stated to me on 8-12-10 at 8:00pm that he told Newsom that he "strongly 'recommended' that I be allowed to participate." Newsom's deceptive rhetoric gives people the impression that he never even spoke to Hall at all? The real problem here is that his persistence in preventing me from participating may result in the NCCA losing their USCF affiliation!?

Furthermore, Newsom's assertion that it's not too late to file a complaint to the USCF is totally contrary to that which is published, ie, USCF Code of Ethics, p.235, Procedures 6. "Any USCF member may initiate procedures under this code of ethics by filing a complaint in a timely manner with the USCF Ethics Committee." That doesn't mean one year later.

Newsom became president after I publicly recommended that Victor Beaman resign. What followed was a litany of dubious appointments and organizational blunders. His overall incompetence and draconian attitude can not be forgiven just because they are finally promising more money for the upcoming NC championship. Newsom's miserable handling of the scholastic affair and continued unrelenting personal attacks of me, and others, prove that he is unfit to be a fair and rational leader. After all, who will be next on his hit list? His behavior has become an embarrassment to every chessplayer in North Carolina. He should be ashamed of himself.

At the end of this month at the state championship, new officers will be voted in. I believe that it would be in every North Carolina chessplayer's best interests to support a new slate of qualified officers.
I look forward to getting back into the mix... with a new, honest administration of open and fair minded leaders who are knowledgeable of, and follow the USCF rules.

NM Leland Fuerstman