Tobacco Boss Ousted

Source from:  Monday October 29, 2007 By Sun Media TILLSONBURG, Ont. 10/30/2007

Tom McElhone upsets Fred Neukamm in vote for chairman of Ontario Flue-cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board Results of Thursday's flue board election came as a surprise to some. When the votes were counted, Tom McElhone upset Fred Neukamm in his bid for the chairman's slot on the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board. Board directors elect the chairman and vice-chairman of the board at the annual meeting. McElhone has let his name stand for chair in previous years, but never had the support needed. On Thursday, he edged Neukamm out by a 6-5 margin. It was the first time since the mid-1980s, that a chairman of the board who wanted to remain in the position has not been not re-elected. In his address to the board prior to balloting, Neukamm said it is the chair's job to mediate debate, make presentations to government and carry forward the directives and policy of the board. Neukamm said he believed he had done a good job in those capacities and vowed to do even better if re-elected. "We face the most difficult circumstances in history," he said. "I firmly believe the path we are on with our exit plan is the correct one." McElhone told board members he is a team player and had talked to all board members prior to the meeting about what they would like to see done. He said the board needed to have a discussion with manufacturers about the future of the industry outside of the context of the Tobacco Advisory Committee (TAC). "TAC is for price and pounds," he said. McElhone added the province must play a role in a tobacco buyout. He said he believes having a new face pushing the issue with government could cause the buyout to be looked at again. "And sometimes a page already closed in the book will get reopened." The election for vice-chairman was even more heated. Directors Richard VanMaele and Linda Vandendriessche let their names stand against incumbent Chris VanPaassen. Vandendriessche took the title with six votes, compared to VanMaele's three and VanPaassen's two. After assuming the chair, McElhone urged board members to all work together. "We know what the issues are," he said. "It will be exhausting work for all of us." The chairman said board members should listen to their committeemen and growers. "Nobody likes what we're going through. There used to be a time when we used to see smiles in this room. I look now and don't see people smiling." Other comments from board directors centered on the need for the board to be united. "The only way we can be ruined is by inside bickering," said Marcel Anseeuw. "Our collective task will be immense," Neukamm said. "I want to reassure you, you can count on my full support." Walter VanLaeken, one of only a half dozen farmers at the meeting who weren't directors or committeemen, reflected on the change in the chairman. "The reason for the change is things aren't happening," he said. "It shows the frustration out there." `Joseph Slusarczyk, a District 2 committeeman, said the current situation facing tobacco growers shouldn't be blamed on past boards, but on the manufacturers and governments. Enditem