Statements on NCCA Forum Grounds for Lawsuit!
By NM Leland Fuerstman / 11-19-14
I finally got around to reading the thread of messages entitled "Chess Club Listings" on the NCCA Forum. It was no surprise to observe that the prevarications of a few malcontents have again converted their blog into a
platform
to besmirch the good name of NM Leland Fuerstman
and attempt to discourage players from
participating in Charlotte Chess Club events?
... all of the time, knowing full well that NMLF
is forbidden from responding to slurs on
their website forum?! However, this time, their
orchestrated diatribe seemed to have been met with a certain
modicum of resistance! I wish to express my
admiration of the brave members who dared share a
differing opinion from the current NCCA
hardline policy of jingoism and chicanery. They are
not necessarily taking my side; they just know the
difference between right and wrong... (See Msg571)And, while I'm on the subject, I wish to dispel the completely erroneous statement which was posted by newly elected Vice President Jeff "Pig" Jones?? "The Charlotte Chess Club is under sanctions from the NCCA due to violations of decorum including posting multiple false claims of misappropriation of funds against organizers, undermining business relationships of other clubs and chess related interests, and failure to pay prizes in accordance with USCF rules." How this misinformed overstuffed nincompoop could publish such a convoluted statement of BS without doing a bit of research and verification is beyond me. The fact is, neither NM Leland Fuerstman nor the Charlotte Chess Club are currently under any "formal" sanction by the NCCA nor the USCF nor is there any documentation to indicate otherwise. Furthermore, from the scant minutes which have actually been recorded from the meetings of the past few years (which have been meticulously maintained by an independent observer) there is absolutely no mention whatsoever of NM Leland Fuerstman or the Charlotte Chess Club. I understand that ex-Dictator Abate did have a phone conversation with "someone" in reference to "preventing me" from participating in the NC Championship (which, of course, violates USCF rules). However, subsequent to a letter written on behalf of the NCCA which was authored by WW back in 2009, I have not received any official NCCA notification of sanction, nor does Jeffrey "Pig" Jones have any physical evidence of such. His injurious statements about NMLF and the CCC were a complete fabrication based upon hearsay and rumor. I was particularly offended by the claim that "NMLF didn't pay out enough prize money??" After all, one of the participants has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence; and I believe he knows how to use a calculator! The fact is, no one who participated in that event complained about not receiving their proper share of the prize money, period. And, all the time I thought that "pigs" were smart! Well, this particular "pig" needs to verify his facts more carefully before publicly besmirching the character of other people. (See Msg526a) Entitled "Resolution" and authored by NCCA Attorney A.Wilder Wadford, Esq., nowhere is there mention of any sanction. (It has been recommended that Jones' be named as a defendant in a legal complaint for defamation of character).
But, please allow me to explain something to the "newbies" who have never personally met me. I am a friendly and engaging guy! I am not now, nor have I ever been an enemy of the NCCA! Through the years, I have served as President, Vice President, Sec/Treas. and Gambit Editor! Had I not abandoned my life membership in protest over the incompetence of a few officers back in 2009, I would be the longest standing member! (having joined in 1970 does anyone know of any other current member who joined earlier?) In addition, I achieved the Title of USCF National Master exactly 30 years ago. (Nov 1984) And, in fact, I was the first member to be voted into the NCCA Hall of Fame! Yet, Newsom continues to purposely avoid addressing me as "NM" which is an intentional sign of disrespect to me, or any other player who has achieved the National Master Title. (A title which Mr. Newsom will certainly never achieve in his lifetime) Never mind his lifetime "losing" record to NMLF. What a pompous, ill mannered boor!?
My so called enemies were a handful of ex-NCCA scoundrels who simply couldn't stand criticism and are apparently jealous of my lifetime achievements in chess! I am a chess journalist. As a website Editor, I have every right to ask questions of the powers that be. In fact, I have a responsibility to do that! It is their obligation to perform their jobs accordingly (but, who knows what that may be since there are no by-laws explaining precisely what their responsibilities actually are). So, when things go wrong, and it is obvious that someone did something ridiculous like change a 70 year old policy without any discussion, I ask why? And, like clockwork, their self-proclaimed Propaganda Minister, chess bully Gary Newsom invariably ends up evading all of the issues and accusing me of harming the NCCA with a barrage of non-related personal attacks? The fact is, it is Newsom's insatiable desire to constantly dig up the bones of the past which harms the NCCA far more than any of my current rhetoric. (See Msg566)
Included in their blog were comments by curmudgeon Patrick McCartney which seemed more like the puerile complaints of a 15 year old disgruntled Junior High School girl than an aspiring chess Master... Obvious sour grapes as a result of his being sanctioned for the 4th time at the CCC? To those of you who have attempted to diminish the gravity of this incident, his actions and cursing were far more detrimental to the club than you may think. After a repeat verbal skirmish with another CCC member who was also sanctioned and "suspended" for his part in the disturbance, McCartney uttered "f..k you" out loud four times in front of the tender ears of 14 year Expert Daniel Cremisi as well as other patrons and servers of the restaurant?? Had I not promptly corrected things with management the following morning, we may have lost our use of this great facility?! Furthermore, his censure came as a result of the eyewitness statements of 4 separate members who all stated basically the same thing and each proclaimed his guilt. McCartney's conceited and disrespectful attitude toward "lower rated" players has been a blight on chess and "bridge" in the Charlotte area for years!? In the final analysis, a committee of his peers agreed upon his 6 month suspension, not me?! I resent being called a "liar" on the NCCA Forum by Patrick McCartney. Especially since everything which I reported was absolutely true and his childish diatribe was read by 4,133 people between 9-6 and 9-12, 2014. Respected CCC member NM Patrick Sciacca summed it up by stating: "...by the way, I thought defamation of character was not allowed on this forum. McCartney's 'Leland is a liar' is a clear and obvious case of libel. It should be removed...NM Pat Sciacca, Esq"
***********************************************
And, now we come to the
present. After another obviously rigged election
which denied candidates "who were not within their
little circle of friends" a level playing field,
proxies were processed and your new officers were
elected. However, one must recall my complaint
that none of these candidates were ever officially
"vetted." Nor was any personal information
presented about each candidate nor their images?
But, naturally, my complaints always fall on deaf
ears. That's why I went to the effort of
establishing a dialogue with unopposed Presidential
candidate Kevin Hyde. After trading a
couple of "friendly" E-mails, I was left
with the impression that, among other issues,
there may be a chance for the CCC to
rejoin forces with the NCCA! In fact,
Hyde actually answered me twice and
even authored a few messages on the NCCA Forum
which indicated his intention to hold an "open conference call
forum" where he could discuss
issues and answer questions to members who wished
to participate!? And, otherwise, he would make
himself available to answer questions and form
committees... Unfortunately, since becoming elected on October 4, 2014, President Hyde seems to have gone into "hyde-ing?!" I sent him a well designed, informative E-mail recommending that a very competent and experienced "webmaster" (NOT ME) take over as "Editor" of the NCCA website! However, after a few weeks, he did not respond. I submitted a follow up E-mail to which he has also failed to respond? Why he abruptly decided to break off communication with me is a mystery. I seriously hope that Hyde does not turn out to be just another WW stooge?! Because, now, 2 months into his tenure, neither NCCA President Kevin Hyde's E-mail address nor his telephone number are even listed on the NCCA website? (So much for his hi-tech phone meetings...) Some concerned members were hoping that the confusion about membership fees would be resolved by now... Or, that a set of rules for using the NCCA "Clearinghouse" would be established and enforced. Others were hoping that the knee jerk changes made by the past-Dictator would be reversed! But, so far, nothing... except, a feeble attempt to provide tournament results by the "Pig"!? Generally gleaned from the USCF printout, at first VP Jeff "Pig" Jones bragged that he would be publishing his "Pigpen" column every week! Then, because of his important conflicting schedule, he stated that it would be published "bi-weekly on Monday"... now that he has been elected, it seems to have been completely abandoned, not having been published since Oct 28??! What's the deal with that? For years, the CCC has continued to promptly publish the results of all of it's events and others with images, a comprehensive crosstable, games, anecdotes, updated lists and other features for your viewing and listening pleasure! Hopefully, some clever person at the NCCA will copy some of the features of www.charlottechess.com in order to improve the quality of their website.
Furthermore, no contact information is listed for newly elected VP of Scholastics Venkat Shanmugavadivel whom I was hoping would have a positive effect on the control of scholastic events. - So far, this new administration gets low marks. Contact information seems to be the most basic of requirements. An image of each officer wouldn't hurt, either. I'm a bit concerned that we're in for another 2 years of incompetence and neglect. So, what's new?!
Well, I'll tell you
what's new!! The Charlotte Chess Club now
meets in the best chess facility in the south, McAlister's
Deli! Friendly
(mostly adult)
chess players gather each Wednesday evening to
dine, socialize and play one rated game of chess at 7:30pm sharp!"The venue guarantees a private
area with padded
chairs and a lamp over each table!
- 2
players per table!! "Wi-Fi,"
great menu and prices, direct parking for 100
cars and a very tolerant and friendly
crew!"
Each Wednesday evening, you will find me
at the CCC! So, come and check us out...
you just might have fun!!
I remain,
NM Leland Fuerstman
Senior Tournament Director
Charlotte Chess Club