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Following is the Agenda for the Committee on Greyhound Race Dates. The Texas Racing Commission has released an excerpt from its Strategic Plan 2011-2015. This is very interesting reading and gives a good overview of the competition facing pari-mutuel racing in Texas.
The TGA Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting at the TGA offices in Lorena on Wednesday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m.  All TGA members are encouraged to attend.  Click to view the agenda.
Texas Round-Up Postponed The Texas Round-Up scheduled for Memorial Day at Gulf Greyhound Park has been postponed.  Due to unsafe track conditions caused by heavy rains, the Saturday, May 15 performances were cancelled, including the first stakes elimination round.  By rescheduling the first round to the following Thursday evening, it caused many of the stakes entrants to go over 10 days between races.  Coupled with a short 2-day turn-around to the second elimination, the greyhounds would not have enough time between races to recoup.  The TGA Board determined that these circumstances were not in the best interests of the greyhounds, and will work with Gulf to get the Round-Up rescheduled.
Dog World magazine features the greyhound in its April edition.  There is good coverage of the greyhound in “Meet the Breed:  Poetry in Motion”.  The TGA co-sponsored an ad with the American Greyhound Council in appreciation of the many adoption groups and volunteers that make greyhound adoption the “leader of the pack” in dog adoptions.
Purses for 2010 The TGA finished its negotiations on the Global Cross-Species Simulcast Agreement, which is a contractual agreement between the horsemen, horse tracks, TGA and greyhound tracks.  The horsemen agreed to give to greyhound purses an additional .5% on interstate simulcast horse handle at greyhound tracks, effective April 18 through December 31, 2010.  This will result in an estimated $120,000 additional to greyhound purses, based on 2009 numbers. However, handle is down at all of the racetracks in 2010.  If you would like to stay abreast of the numbers, the Texas Racing Commission posts a comparative year-to-date handle chart on its website, http://www.txrc.state.tx.us/agency/data/wagerstats/wagering_stats.php Since 100% of greyhound purses are from the handle, purse values will fluctuate week to week.  The chart from the TxRC is helpful to show how the numbers are trending this year.  As shown on the chart, greyhound live handle is down 16.8% at Gulf Greyhound Park.
Come Run with the Big Dogs! The Texas Greyhound Association announces the 2010 Texas Roundup at Gulf Greyhound Park.  All accredited Texas-bred greyhounds are eligible. (more) Annual Membership Meeting Held The 2010 TGA Annual Membership Meeting was held on Saturday, March 20 at the TGA office in Lorena. Members were served a barbecue lunch and had the opportunity to visit with each other before the meeting. (more) Annual Membership Meeting The Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 at the TGA offices. Lunch will be served starting at 11:00 a.m., with the Membership Meeting starting at noon, followed by a short Board of Directors' Meeting. If you haven't yet contacted the TGA office, please let us know by Thursday, March 18, so we will order enough food for everyone. Attached is the agenda for the meeting. Safety Seminar Summary Sally Briggs, General Manager of Gulf Greyhound Park, Tim Leuschner, incoming President of AGTOA and Diane Whiteley of the Texas Greyhound Association welcomed over 40 participants to the 6th Greyhound Safety and Race Track Surface Seminar, hosted at Gulf on February 21-22. The Seminar, sponsored by Gulf, AGTOA and the TGA, was a continuation of a program started in 2002 to focus on greyhound safety and welfare. (more) 6th Greyhound Safety & Track Surface Seminar, to be held at Gulf Greyhound Park, February 22nd and 23rd. Click to view the Agenda.
The end of the year is fast approaching to get your TGA membership renewed. If you haven't received your renewal form, call Lois in the office at 254-857-4377. The renewal fee for voting members remains the same at $25. Per the TGA By-Laws, you will not be able to register any Texas-bred litters until your membership is renewed. Dr. Marty Tanner has informed us that he is withdrawing his name from the ballot for Vice President for 2010 due to increased demands on his time from his position as NGA President and NGA Representative. Anyone interested in running for TGA Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer (currently held by Tuddy Dietz who is running for re-election) or for one of the two director positions currently held by David Peck and Charlie Pevehouse who are running for re-election, should notify the TGA office in writing (email and fax acceptable) to request the nomination forms. A candidate must sign a Conflict of Interest Statement and gather the signatures of 10 TGA members. These must be received by the TGA office by the close of business on December 31, 2009 for a candidate to be placed on the 2010 ballot. The TGA wishes all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
The 2009 Fall/Winter Issue of the newsletter was mailed out today. Be looking for it or you can view it online by clicking on the link above.
A Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 9 at 10:30 am at the TGA office. All interested members are invited to attend. Click to view the Agenda.
The representative for District II, James Brymer, has resigned from the TGA Board in order to devote more time to his family and his full-time greyhound business. James has been a valuable and contributing member of the TGA Board, and we will miss his input and decision-making skills. President Harlyn Goebel has named James Parker, a former TGA Board member, to complete Mr. Brymer's term, which expires in 2011. The contact information for James Parker is telephone (254) 697-4715 and email jpark22@live.com .
The Texas Greyhound Association regrets the passing of L.B. Kasberg, a longtime TGA and NGA member. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Funeral Mass for LB Kasberg, 83, of Bastrop, formally of Temple will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Ascension Catholic Church in Bastrop. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop. Mr. Kasberg died Tuesday, September 22, at his residence. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. today at the church. Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop is in charge of arrangements. 505 Old Austin Hwy Bastrop, TX 78602-5091 (512) 321-2576
TGA President Goebel has called for a Board of Directors meeting for Wednesday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the TGA office.  The agenda will be posted on the TGA website on September 22 and membership is welcome to attend. Please RSVP for lunch.
Texas Racing Commission approves 2009-2011 Race Dates (read more)
Greyhound Race Dates Working Group A meeting of the Greyhound Race Dates Working Group is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26 at the Texas Racing Commission.  The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m.  All interested individuals are encouraged to attend.  The address is 8505 Cross Park Drive, #110, Austin, Tx.  The Commission’s telephone is 512-833-6699.
Race Dates Working Group Meeting (click to read) UPDATED to change the date of the next Working Group to August 26, 2009
Dog Food for Sale The sales manager for Hi-Pro Feeds stopped in the TGA office.  The company has a significant amount of Hi-Pro bagged dog food in their warehouse in Temple.  He said it had a little age on it, but was still good, and they are willing to sell  a large quantity at a deep discount.  Please call Donald Schulze  325-456-1421 for more information.  Their website is www.hiprofeeds.com
July 30, 2009 TxRC Working Group Meeting (click to read)
Open Letter to TGA and NGA Members (click to read)
The Texas Greyhound Association regrets the passing of David Ritz, a longtime TGA and NGA member. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rebecca, who is also a TGA and NGA member. Visitation is Wednesday (7/15/09) from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Pecan Grove Funeral Home in Robinson, TX. Services will also be held at Pecan Grove Funeral Home Thursday morning (7/16/09) at 10:00 am. Click the link above for directions or to contact the funeral home.
TGA Board Meeting Wednesday; June 3, 2009 10:30 am TGA Office Please attend the quarterly TGA Board Meeting. Among the agenda items will be the results of the 81st Legislature, future of the greyhound business in Texas and the TGA Training Track. Your comments and ideas are welcome by the Board as we look forward to the many challenges facing our industry. LUNCH 12:00 Please RSVP to the TGA at (254) 857-4377 or lmowery@texasgreyhoundassociation.com so we have a count for lunch.
2009 Election Results The following were elected to serve a two-year term: President - Harlyn Goebel District I - Ed Gardner District II - James Brymer and John Dalton District V - John Liberatore
Kennel at Gulf Greyhound Park has immediate opening for dogs. Please contact Charlie Pevehouse for furthur information: Cell: (806) 789-8955 Home: (806) 745-1409.
Texans for Economic Development (TED) released a study today that estimates the State of Texas stands to earn about a billion dollars a year in total tax revenue and gain 53,000 total new jobs if slot machines were legalized at racetracks and Native American casinos. This study and information on racing in Texas can be accessed at www.WinForTexas.com.
Annual Membership Meeting Lunch March 14, 2009 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please RSVP by February 27th. RSVP by email or call (254) 857-4377. Membership Meeting March 14, 2009 @ 12:00 pm Board of Directors meeting to follow. Click here to view the current issue of the newsletter with information regarding the 2009 candidates for each district.
2009 Election Information If you are interested in running as a representative for your district, please write to the TGA Executive Director, Diane Whiteley, to request the necessary forms. All required forms must be returned to the TGA Headquarters by January 1, 2009. In accordance with the TGA By-Laws, *Article III: Officers: Sections 1-4 and Article IV: Sections 3-5, the following TGA Officers and District Representatives positions will be up for election next spring: President Harlyn Goebel District I Ed Gardner District II James Parker District II Rod Neal District V Gayle McElhinny *Article IV; Section 3: An incumbent will automatically be added to the ballot unless a written notice is received by the Executive Director prior to January 1st requesting the incumbent's name be withdrawn from the ballot.
2009 TGA Membership Renewal Forms Membership Renewal Forms were sent in the mail on 11/18/08, along with the 2009 Election Information. Please fill out your membership renewal and return by January 1, 2009, or download and print a copy here and mail to the TGA.
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