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"A Chronicle of Shame"

For the past several months, USATT has been methodically torn apart.  All of its money has been frivolously wasted, its talented people insulted, abused and abandoned.  Why?  For the personal 'glory' of a tiny few?  Please take a moment to find out about this pattern of abuse:

He had, until his resignation, chaired the Selection Committee of USATT.  This committee was perhaps the most independent and well run committee of any in recent USATT history.  It is charged with making sure that representatives of USATT, requested by foreign associations to serve at ITTF events, meet exacting standards.  It also chooses the Referees and Umpires for the US Open, US ITTF Pro Tour, US Olympic and National Team Trials, and US Closed National Championships.

Under his leadership, ability was the primary factor in any selection.  The best man for the job, got the job.  All who know him hail him as fair, diligent, and honest.  His resignation comes after great injustices were heaped on him.  Without his approval, all of the members of his committee were illegally removed and replaced.  (This does not speak badly of those that chosen as replacements, the act itself is simply blatantly against USATT bylaws).

On top of this, Ms. Pittman began holding quasi "Board Meetings" where significant decisions regarding USATT's future and personnel were made without his input or vote and in several instances, without a legal quorum!  This resignation is among the most devastating we have seen to date.

Tong talks about how this increase is like gas prices, postage and other inflation based increases.  He makes the argument that these are necessary to cover increased costs to USATT.  He talks about the cost of putting out Pittman political campaign propaganda, err, I mean publishing the magazine.  How the increased cost of (outsourced editorial?) staff and production are not covered by the revenue generated by the magazine, therefore, we all have to pay more.  (if only we could figure out who outsourced the magazine as a political payoff in the first place....)

USA Table Tennis Magazine's Editor has vehemently disputed USATT Treasurer Tong Lee's claims, here is his quoted response to those claims: "This is factually untrue. I make ***less*** than my predecessors. Before, we had two people doing the job (an editor and a designer); I make considerably less than their combined salaries, but do both of their jobs. So the [magazine] has ***decreased costs***.

"We broke every advertising record last year by quite a bit, with 4 of the 6 issues having the 4 highest revenues ever, including breaking $10,000 in advertising three times, which we've never done. So the cost of the magazine is at its lowest in history, due to lowered editoral costs and increased advertising.

"the above items about "increased cost," .... are objectively incorrect."

UPDATE: Since this article was originally written, the Editor has publically claimed that he is misquoted here.  Rest assured, I have his original email disputing USATT's claims of the magazine being a prime cause of the increase in all dues.  His words are accurately reflected here.  It is only after political fallout from this article that he has since attempted to "modify his meaning".  I believe that his financial facts, as he stated above, are correct.  If he has since 'discovered' undisclosed magazine expenses that he has not previously admitted, that in turn would make the Treasurer's claims legitimate, he should be forthcoming to the entire membership.  If he wishes to detail these additional unknown magazine overexpenditures, I will gladly publish them here.

Including the magazine, Tong lists 5 reasons for this increase, the first, increased expenses at headquarters, is particularly humorous.  This, considering USATT headquarters was just kicked out of the US Olympic Training Center. (a legacy I hope the Pittman team will hold high over the coming years).  In a side note, paid staff at headquarters is the smallest it has been in several years.  Odd, all those "increased expenditures", makes one wonder what various expenditures are actually being laundered in this category.

The third reason given is postage.  I mean COME ON!  If the magazine costs more to mail, let Sheri, Tong, et al, pay for their free multi-page political campaign ads they disguise as columns every month!

The fourth is not only insulting, it is bogus bookkeeping!  It claims that stipends given to officials and volunteers at the US Open and Nationals are responsible.  The truth is, these expenses are taken directly out of the profits of running the specific tournament itself and HAVE NEVER come out of general USATT funds paid for by members dues.

The fifth finally touches on some reality "AIRFARES FOR BOARD MEMBERS" (read 'free vacations for Pittman and her political cronies')  Later in the magazine, Ms. Pittman goes on to explain how her taking yet another extended USATT funded vacation in Colorado will help get costs under control.....)

When Pittman's crew blitzkrieged their way into office, they had a war chest of almost $357,000.00 in the bank and incoming, built up painstakingly over years by her predecessors.  This money was earmarked, prior to her arrival, for things like Regional Training Centers, Athlete Development, and other grass roots efforts.  Now, in just over a year of her regime, like Sherman marching through Georgia, USATT is on the verge of collapse.

We, the members, pay for this incompetence.

Google now makes this post available for all to read.  There are several very notable statements in his post that you should watch for when you are reading it.

It makes very interesting reading.  Highlights include his statements that it is normal for Executive Directors of major successful corporations to resign at alarming rates, calmly stating that, "This certainly does not mean that these companies are badly run.  Far from it."  This is an amazing statement, indicating that USATT elected management actually thinks things are going just fine.  Get to know the people that are bankrupting your association, and ask yourself, 'How the heck did they get where they are and what can we do to fix this obvious problem?'  An educated voter can help make sure this will never, ever, happen again. (that is, if Ms. Pittman ever allows us to vote again)

Most notable was the staggerring number of top players and officials who boycotted the trials themselves, followed by the pittiful physical condition of those that did compete.  Featured were an enormous number of injuries directly related to pathetic physical conditioning.  The injuries, typically, are common to athletes who fail to properly prepare for top level competition. Read USATT account here.

The one bright spot in an otherwise shameful situation is the performance of 15 year old superstar Mark Hazinski (USATT rating 2409), who is personally trained by the world famous Danny Seemiller.
Men's Team:
1) David Zhuang WR #110
2) Mark Hazinski No Ranking (2409)
3) Eric Owens WR #251
4) Barney Reed WR #402
5) Ashu Jain No Ranking (2429)

With the resignation of Bob Fox as head of USATT's National Team and his replacement with an embarrasingly  inexperienced politician, Ms. Pittman has done her best to assure USATT of yet another international humiliation.  News Flash 4/27/01 She succeeded!  US men finish 40th, their worst finish at the World Championships in history.  Typically lame excuses were made instead of admitting the reality.

After squandering ALL of USATT's cash reserves and virtually bankrupting the organization last year, Pittman & Lee mandate sweeping increases in USATT fees for all members and clubs, siting everything but the truth as the reason.

I guess Pittman feels he can still swing some votes her way (if she ever lets us have an election that is... deep rumour has it she is considering cancelling elections altogether because they would be an inconvenience to her and take away from her personal spending money, err I mean, USATT funds.  After all, she knows what is best for us anyway.)
-------
Anybody seen a membership accounting recently?  Hmmmm......

Post Worlds Update:  It seems that the Pittman regime', in an apparent attempt to save political face, rehired Bob Fox at the last minute (for this event only) and sent him in Dennis Taylor's place.  Too little, too late, as the damage to the National Team (which Taylor still chairs) had already been done.

What is that you ask?  Well if you have read any of this articles other announcements, you already know.  For those of you uninitiated, it is Sheri choosing what is best for her, whether it is what is best for USATT or not.  In this case, it is yet another money matter.  Big surprise.

Each year, USATT has an equipment/table sponsor for the US Open.  Entry forms cannot go out until this sponsor is chosen.  Past events saw the sponsor selected months or years ahead of time.  Sheri, in her finest management and leadership style, decided to wait until after the deadline for mailing the entry forms had passed (crisis management, by creating a crisis that did not actually exist) before making her decision.  For the past several years, this sponsor has been Stiga.  Stiga is part of Escalade Sports, a $50 million dollar a year company.  A company so committed to table tennis in the US that they even bought the "Ping Pong" brand name from Parker Brothers.  It has a dedicated team of workers and major tournament specialists who deliver, set up and tear down the entire event.  They are professionals, experienced, and experts at their job.

In addition, Stiga is the clothing sponsor for the US National Team.  Their sponsorship contract is a six figure one.  Despite this, Sheri picked a bid from Martin Kilpatrick, importer of Butterfly into the US for this year's Open.  Martin Kilpatrick is an excellent company, Butterfly is an excellent product, but they are only 1/10th the size of Escalade and Stiga in the US, about a $5 million dollar a year company.  They do not have the staff nor capabilities of the largest sponsor USATT has ever had, Stiga.  In the real world, a major sponsor is always given the first right of refusal on any upcoming sponsorship.  Not in the Sheri world.  No wonder we can't get new sponsors or keep employees!

Congratulations to Bowie Martin Jr. Butterfly, and Martin Kilpatrick.  Over the last 20 years, I have had the pleasure of working on USATT international tournaments where both Stiga and Butterfly were the table sponsors.  There has been in the past, a huge difference in methodology involved in implementation between the two.  Good luck to Tournament Director Wayne Johnson, and Referees Allen Barth and Aly Salam as they deal with this transition in Ft. Lauderdale.  By the way, this delay in the entry form completion creates the real possibility of significantly reduced entries and more importantly, entry fees for our cash strapped organization.  The entry deadline is literally just a few days away, the 7th of May.

The next administration will have to take an inordinate amount of their time just trying to recover from Sheri's incompetence!!!

So the question begs to be asked; Why would USATT do this?  Now comes the interesting part.  It also seems that Dr. Marcus has run for USATT political office in the last two national elections.  He has had the audacity to question decisions made by USATT hierarchy (read Sheri Pittman).

I think all of you who have read any of this ongoing expose' of political misdeeds and incompetence can figure out the answer for yourselves.  For those of you still in the dark, go back and read/reread the other sections.

May 31, 2000 UPDATE!  Your voice counts!  USATT has reversed their decision and has now decided to "support continued updates of the Rating Histories".  Good work to those of you that voiced your displeasure at the glaringly obvious, errant decision that USATT made.

The position is one of great international power and prestige.  It gives the holder of the position full voting rights on all ITTF issues.  The previous US representative was Tim Boggan.  As with previous US ITTF reps, Tim was elected by the USATT Board of Directors.  Unlike previous elections of this kind, Sheri won a unanimous victory!  In case you missed the election for Sheri's new position, it took place immediately before the World Championships, thus giving her critical international exposure and power within the ITTF.  Somehow, there was an oversite by her political spokesman on the USATT website detailing this exceptional accomplishment.

Now a quick recap of how the final vote total went:
Sheri Pittman - 1
All other contenders - 0

WOW!!!

(In case you haven't figured it out, Sheri voided the election process and instead, picked herself; and there was nothing anyone else could do to stop it in time!  What a leader, selfless to a fault!)

Financially strapped USATT once again is being committed to spending significant dollars, approximately $100,000.00, to supporting political cronies of Sheri Pittman.  Eliminating the ability of the next Board of Directors to decide events within their term, the Pittman Regime has signed yet another financial contract benefiting one of her most vocal spokespersons.  This contract runs well into 2004.

Regardless of who it is that Pittman is financing and what benefits they may, or may not, bring to the association, Pittman has clearly overstepped her authority again.  As a consequence, once again, USATT is placed in ever greater financial difficulty.

As the huge financial commitment of the ITTF Pro Tour & US Open looms directly on the horizon, one can only wonder and worry as we look past this continuing debacle of an administration.

The Board meetings are supposed to take place in May.  For the second year in a row, Pittman decided that she would "postpone" those meetings.  Declaring the meetings to be in July, she decided to use this as an excuse to finance her and her political cronies way to the US Open instead.

Standard USATT Board meetings are 3 day affairs scheduled to take place twice a year.  Once in the Spring, and once in the Fall.  By manipulating the elections till Fall and postponing/cancelling the Spring meetings, Pittman has effectively eliminated all USATT Board meetings this year, thus clearing the way for her to do whatever she wants with virtually no checks and balances.

Add to this the huge, huge losses the association will suffer from the her running of the US Open event itself (prior to the Pittman administration this had been a profit making venture for the association) and all looks very bleak for the sport in the US.

Incompetence, ineptitude, and dastardly financial mismanagement pointing directly to the President and Treasurer of the association are the hallmarks, and how history will remember, this regime'.

I should give credit where it is due, on Sunday, there was a quasi get together for a free lunch (well, actually, you paid for it, USATT members).  At this luncheon, the word "Acting" was removed from Dwight Johnson's title.  He is now officially our Executive Director.  I guess that was worth $10-15,000 of our dollars to send everyone there to do that..... (question, why was the word even there in the first place?????)  Also, the Board moved one step closer to forcing Sheri into answering for her misdeeds, by way of the ballot box.  It approved a list of nominees for office, should we actually have an election this year.  (it is interesting that the Board has complete control over who will run against them, isn't it?)

USATT Treasurer Tong Lee had previously written regarding Canupnet postings here and I quote:
"From: Tong Lee (marketing@amerexinst.com)
 Subject: Re: Canup writings....
 Newsgroups: rec.sport.table-tennis
 Date: 2001-01-19 10:51:40 PST

I am compelled to respond to a series of so-called major announcements at Canupnet entitled Chronicle of  Shame.  I think the announcements should more appropriately be called Chronicle of Lies."

Today, Canupnet was, once again, vindicated.

First, the President appoints someone to head a committee that will select the candidates to run against her and her team.  Then the Board does a political check to make sure they have covered their political butts, in other words, make sure that a glaring omission of an opponent will not raise too many eyebrows.

Next, individual USATT members can collect hundreds of signatures of current USATT members to force their way onto the ballot.  Then we have our candidate pool and we have an election.

Let's examine this years process.  First, the elections were needlessly postponed (don't be fooled by rhetoric, the postponement was needless), giving incumbents an extra 6 months in office.  Next the election committee selected their candidates for the President's approval.

Here were their selections:
President: Sean O'Neill; Sheri Pittman
Vice President:  Dr. Azmy Ibrahim; Rong Li Lillieroos; Dr. David Marcus; Dr. Jiing Wang
Secretary: Timothy Titrud

Anyone notice that one of Sheri's main opponents on the Board was not selected by the Election Committee?  Current USATT Vice President (and Sheri's opponent in her last coronation by the Board), Bob Tretheway was mysteriously left out.... (Sheri, was NOT elected to the Presidency by a vote of the USATT membership, she was chosen by the Board, Tretheway was her opponent is this selection process.  These upcoming elections are the first time Sheri has had to face the membership and account for her actions) Well, having such a powerful and well known member of the Board not nominated was going to cause huge waves, so the Board wisely stuck him in at the last moment.

Also not included was staunch Pittman opponent Lily Yip.  Lily was sharp enough to collect signatures to force her way on the ballot despite the Board.  Additionally, the Board added Pitman ally, Tim Boggan to oppose Tim Titrud for Secretary (Both Sean and Tim had covered themselves by getting hundreds of members to sign the ballot forcing petitions), and Robert Mayer was added as a VP candidate.

Here are the final nominees for whom you can vote in the USATT election:
for President:
2 time Olympian, About.com Webmaster, Sean O'Neill
Career Politician, Sheri Pittman (our current "leader")

for Vice President:  (2 to be elected)
2 time Olympian,USATT Activist, Lily Yip
ITTF International Referee, Dr. Azmy Ibrahim
USATT National Coach, Rong Li Lillieroos
USATT Ratings Expert, National Umpire, Dr.David Marcus
Regional Tournament Coordinator, Robert Mayer
Bob Tretheway (incumbant)
Dr. Jiing Wang (Sheri's financial campaign coordinator)

for Secretary:
USATT Regional Coach, Timothy Titrud
USATT Historian, Tim Boggan (a Pittman ally)

Your ballots MUST BE in to USATT headquarters by October 15th!!!!

Hello everyone,

I just want to give my opinion about the next election for Presidency. I just hope that everyone that actually cares for table tennis will be smart enough to vote and support Sean O'Neal!!!. He has knowlege about the game, he is educated, has great deal of experience concerning table tennis , and most important he has the soul and mind to understand what players go through regarding training and tournaments.He in my opinion will be an asset to table tennis in America. I'm very confident that he will make great efforts to improve table tennis in America, because as it is right now table tennis in this country its very unprofesional and controled in some fields by people that don't even know what glue means or who Samsonov or Waldner is.

Thank you for reading this,
Razvan Cretu
Member of U.S.NATIONAL TEAM 1997

This letter comes on the heels of yet another breaking financial scandal involving the current Pittman regime.  More details on that later.

Dear Razvan:
Thank you for sharing your sentiments about the vote for the USATT presidency.  I'm not sure why you offer your recommendation, as you wrote it -- because, among other points you brought up, surely you must know that I am quite familiar with such players as Waldner and Samsonov and have spoken to them frequently over the past several years. Not only do I know WHO they are, but they also know WHO I AM. Almost anyone on this list knows this because I have published interviews with many of the world's best players and was hired in 1996 to serve as a member of the Olympic media team covering table tennis primarily because I know the world's best players and they know me!  In fact, several of the teams/players who came  to this year's US Open did so precisely because I am USATT president and they knew that the tournament would be run professionally (as opposed to the what was your word -- the "unprofessional" way it was run under previous administrations).  So I am not sure where you are "coming from."  Saive and his team is one example -- and the Belgian team coach wrote a critique of US development at my request. It's quite well known that I inherited a mess when I became president.  If I were magical or a miracle worker, I would have snapped my fingers and gotten everything into place just like that.  But I'm human, and I've done what humans must do -- put in the time, energy, and commitment to FIX up the messes.  We've still got lots of work ahead, but we've got an infrastucture, a foundation, and a springboard in place.  I hope that you will take the time to inform yourself better about what is truly happening.  I have never stated that I know everything there is to know about table tennis.  I have, however, given my my all, from the bottom of my heart, to USA Table Tennis.  Like all sucessful leaders, I have sought to build relationships with people who can help us to achieve significant progress.  Today I received a fax from someone who knows more about table tennis than either Sean or I know, at least, speaking for myself, I can say that this man knows more than I know.  An excerpt of his letter reads: "The past 2 years witnessed the steady growth of exchanges between our two associations.  The Millennium Friendship Tour initiated by you and conducted by our two associations achieved a full success.  This year marks the 30th anniverary of Ping Pong diplomacy.  I shall be very pleased to work with you to promote the technical standard of American players as well as our traditional friendship.  It is my sincere wish that the relations between our two Associations will grow further under your presidency.  With best regards, Yours sincerely, Xu Yinsheng, President, Chinese Table Tennis Association." In a competition requiring the better table tennis player to represent our association, I would hands-down concede that Sean would be the better choice.  All of the years Sean spent on his game, I dedicated to our sport.  I ask people to consider my contributions versus his, my experience versus his, my education versus his (since you brought up education specifically!)and my qualifications versus his.  If you want to vote for someone simply because he is a two-time Olympian and a 5-time national champion, that's your right -- a right that is yours not because of Sean, but because of me and my team, who worked hard to restore the membership's ability to choose our officers.

Sheri Pittman
 

Razvan makes an excellent reply to her response that is well worth reading.  (English not being his native language, spelling errors were corrected for this post)  Please read her self serving reply and his response.

Sheri,

Thank you for your reply.

   When I was talking about the word "unprofessional" I was not talking
about the U.S. Open, Saive or the Belgium team. I was talking about being
able to have referees at our matches, I was talking about not having to
deal with  people organizing USATT tournaments and decreasing prize money in
the middle of the tournament (in many cases), I was talking about making
sure that players are informed on time about their eligibility for trying out
for National Team Trials and Nationals. Do you even know that I was lied to
about my legibility to try out for 2001 National Team? HEAD QUARTERS had
told me specifically that I had to be a US Citizen to try out for the Team
(they ignore grandfather rule). You didn't even bother to make sure I was
informed properly! Also about Nationals (which I agree by the way that you
have to be a citizen to participate), I was told one week before the
tournament that I could not play after paying for plane ticket and hotel
room ,which also I think I should be reimbursed for. I bet you didn't know
all that, probably don't even care. I lost one year because of that lie ,
lost lots of sponsors, lots of money , which I think I should be reimbursed
for!

   All you can say in your reply is that you put the energy and commitment
to FIX up the messes and that you still have lots of work ahead, which does
not do anything for American Table Tennis and American players.

   After reading your advertisement in USATT magazine, I see that you want
to take credit for things that you had very little to do with (Michelle Do
on Olympic Team because of Gao), but you do not want to take responsibility
for the major mistakes of your administration (overspending of budget and
hiring and firing of Ben).

   Honesty and responsibility are what I expect from a leader, and so far
all I have seen is a worldwide Public Relations Tour to the Olympics, Pan Am,
Worlds, Olympic Trials. Some trips are required, but many are not, other
than to be seen by others, especially when the association doesn't have the
funds to have training camps for the team that you travel with to watch.

   When you ran a few years ago, you didn't support the national team. Now
that you get to travel with them, you think they are important. Can you
point to three things that YOU did to help the national team prepare for
what turned out to be the worst finish of the men's team at the last worlds?
Also you try to take away from all the things that Sean has done for the
national team (fighting for our right to play in the North Americans), going
to USOC meetings as athlete rep, having the best web page for "all players"
to learn from, coaching players at all levels and knowing what the rest of
the world does well.  I will not be voting for him because he is a true
champion, but because no one has given back to the sport like him in the last
20 years and he is only 35 years old.

   I want you to keep in mind that I'm very well informed  about what's
happening out there internationally and domestic, and please don't
underestimate my knowledge about the politics of table tennis, the game
itself and about what is going on behind scenes.

   The reason why I'm more then ever giving my opinion about our sport its
because i had enough, I am an American on papers and soul and i do care very
much.
 

Thank you for reading and responding , and have a great week.

Good luck,
Razvan Cretu Member of U.S.NATIONAL TEAM 1997

The Pittman Regime has 7 PAGES of advertising (5 paid) in the current USATT magazine.  Of course they CONTROL the magazine, but it is still tantamount to thousands of dollars in advertising.  People, these are VOLUNTEER positions.  They are theoretically unpaid.  Who in their right mind would choose to spend several thousands of dollars in this manner if there was not something in it for them!!!  Don't allow these people to continue to raid our organization's coffers!  Demand fiscal  responsibility!!!

Dear Ravzan:
Although I think your mind is made up, I still want to answer your pressing  request that I name THREE things I've done to help the national team. Once again, I have to say, I'm not sure where you are getting your information from!
1) I supported Maryland over Oakbrook in the national training center bid.  The Maryland bid contained a petition signed by the majority of national team/national team level players stating unequivocally that they preferred Maryland and WOULD NOT GO TO OAKBROOK.  Despite that request by the national team players, Sean O'Neill not only VOTED for OAKBROOK, he LOBBIED in favor of Oakbrook -- in complete disregard of the very players he "represented" on the Board.  After that vote, I requested that we have a special committee appointed in order to provide every level of support our association could in order to ensure the success of Oakbrook.  Then-President Terry Timmins, scoffed at my proposal.  And we all know what resulted from that attitude.  I care deeply for our national development.  Despite my best efforts to support Maryland, the training center went to Oakbrook -- at a cost to USATT of over a half million dollars ... which we will continue to pay even after the Olympics in Athens!  Ironically, Bob Allshouse has borne the brunt of the financial hardship.
2) After the Americans swept the Pan Am gold medals in 1999, Tong Lee proposed a bonus for the players to be funded from generous contributors (yes, I was among them).  But that's not the only important detail.  I personally solicited thousands of dollars myself in order to offer the players a portion greater than the amount Tong was able to raise.  Contrast this bonus with what the players who made it to the semi's in Atlanta in 1995 at the World Team Cup received when Sean was on the Board as a player representative under Terry Timmins as president.  Did the players even receive a note of recognition from their president?  I know for a fact that they didn't get any monetary reward.
3) I agree that there have been problems with the US Nationals, especially regarding eligibility.  Do you know, by the way, that when Jim McQueen was president, I was the primary advocate for the grandfathering-in clause so that players who had previously qualified for the Nationals would continue to be eligible?  It seemed the right thing to do ... especially since the player reps had themselves failed to inform their constituency for -- what was it? -- six months or so!  The first year I was president, I remember seeing men's quarterfinals played on the cement in Las Vegas while round robins of varying levels were played on the red mat.  I was not privy to this scheduling in advance.  Afterwards I sent a memo with at least a dozen reforms -- led by this one: the flagship events will be scheduled on the mats first, the next overlay in scheduling should be youth, then other events.  Again this year, after not being privy to the no cross-over rule at last year's Open, I suggested to the tournament schedulers a way to do the scheduling so that American players could cross-over.  And my recommendation was implemented this year.Regarding your specific situation, I do not recall specifically at this moment -- 5am -- whether you contacted me to look into your concerns.  If you did, then I'm confident that I can reconstruct what I did or didn't do on your behalf.  And, if you didn't contact me, how can I read your mind when there are literally hundreds of requests that I receive from the membership?  And, I repeat, there are THREE athlete representatives who are supposed to be representing YOU!  I have been reading the flow of e-mails about this year's trials, and, as I understand it, there will be special efforts to accommodate your unusual situation.  I have read your concerns and can clearly see that Dennis is demonstrating considerable energies to see that you are dealt with fairly.You know, what?  I remember now more clearly what happened with you and your eligibility matter.  I remember that you had met all criteria for citizenship except had not officially sworn in as of the deadline date for entries.  Is that a correct recollection on my part?  And that worst of all, you could have met the deadline had you been adequately notified by your player representatives!  But that was for the 1998 Nationals.  I heard all about that.  I also think regarding the 2001 team trials that Margaret didn't "lie" to you.  If she made a mistake, she made a mistake.  But "lying" implies some kind of malicious intent to harm you.  I would not agree that Margaret had any malicious intent.But, back to your question: What else have I done?  Did Jasna tell you about her trip to the World Club Championships in China after the world championships this year?  When the Elite Athlete Committee refused to fund her trip (with Tawny), did you know that I offered to cover their flights personally so that I could keep my word to them?I assume that you know all about the efforts I have made to bond with the Chinese Association on behalf of our team's development.  From not just my point of view -- world championships results and Olympics results bear this out -- China has an absolute monopoly on gold medals (except Sweden's phenomenal gold in the team event in Malaysia).  The best way I can see to jump up in our level is by forming a cooperative alliance with China -- to get guidance and technical support from the masters themselves (and to take advantage of the excellent marketing opportunities, as demonstrated by the $50,000 we raised in 2000).  Do you think it required any exceptional courage on my part whatsoever to approach someone of Xu Yinsheng's stature to ask for such a favor?!  Do you really think I did it as a publicity ploy???  Do you think I wasn't trembling a little bit inside when I stood alone as the only non-Chinese person in a room full of CTTA people?  Do you think that when we reported this relationship development to the USOC they laughed off my efforts as a publicity ploy?  Do you know how hard I worked to make sure that there was a USOC/CTTA meeting at this year's Open?  Do you think that the Chinese Association thinks of us as some sort of "unprofessional" entity and are acting out of sheer pity?  Did you hear about what extraordinary efforts they went to during the Enron tour in 2000?  Do you know that CTTA President Xu Yinsheng skipped the banquet for the gold medal table tennis winners from Sydney in order to throw our delegation a banquet?  Did you know that I am the first USATT president since Ping Pong Diplomacy to lead a delegation to China?  Do you have any idea of the significance they attached to that effort?  Did you know that the CTTA figured out a way to send a squad and an official CTTA representative to this year's US Open despite government freezes on travel to the US?  Did you know that the CTTA representative also attended the USATT Board meeting and stated the CTTA's desire to help us improve technically, desire to help our national team's standing progress rapidly?  I don't remember reading anything about what special reception they gave Sean and his delegation during Sean's recent trip to Shanghai.  Did I miss something?  Is he in position to seamlessly take over this association-to-association relationship if he is elected USATT president?  Does it matter to him that the USOC has embraced the CTTA/USATT relationship as vital to our development?Did you know that I offered to help Christian Lillieroos, your college recruiter, with the Texas Wesleyan table tennis program through my contacts with the CTTA on behalf of Christian/the college despite the fact that his wife is a member of the opposing slate?  Did you know that a major impetus for their/your program is the school's desire to expand into China?  Do you really think that Sean would extend the same courtesy if he were in my position?Did you know that my administration is the first in recent times to fund the #5 player on the US team to the worlds?  (Did Sean advocate this on behalf of the players when he was their player rep?)  Did you know that I was the primary advocate of this?  The two world championships that Michelle Do played in, as the funded #5 player, took place PRIOR to the trials for the 2000 Olympics.  I don't have a crystal ball to say for sure whether that caused her to be teamed with Gao Jun, but knowing Gao Jun and our coaches, I don't think that Michelle would have been selected to team with Gao Jun if Michelle had not had that international experience.Do you know that during my administration, USATT has made significant gains on being accepted at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista?Do you know that Butterfly was so pleased with our association's professionalism at this year's US Open that they have offered us a sponsorship bonus -- providing complimentary training to four of our youth athletes at their center in Japan annually -- in order to improve the level of our future stars?By the way, to keep expenses down, so that we can keep prize money up and professionalism up, I sent a letter to the Japanese Table Tennis Association specifically requesting their ongoing assistance in sending umpires.  (We were specifically told that the new JTTA leadership may no longer support this "tradition.")  I am acutely aware of the implications involved in funding umpires to provide a professional tournament environment.I don't know what you meant when you talked about tournament organizers decreasing prize money in the middle of a tournament.  That sounds like a pretty serious accusation and it's a subject I'd appreciate if you could expand on.As you do know, I have a 3-year-old son.  Do you not think that I monitor my time spent away from him closely so that I only travel when I think it's essential to our association?  Having personally witnessed our interaction with each other (at the Pre-US Open Warm-Up Tournament in Coral Springs), does it look to you like I would regularly sacrifice time spent with him in order to go on a "worldwide Public Relations Tour?"  That's a pretty low blow, Razvan!As USATT president, I always fight for our team -- whether it's our national team or our association as a whole.  Anyone who tells you otherwise, it seems to me, has a personal agenda against me.  As far as my shortfalls go, I am acutely aware of them.  But when someone attacks me for not being a supporter of our team, I really have to take exception.  Razvan, I don't underestimate you, your knowledge of the game, or your awareness of USATT's international reputation -- past or present.  Although I don't really know you too well, I think that you don't know me too well either -- or the things that I've stood for and done for national team level players.  You haven't been on the national team since I've been president so it's not exactly possible for you to speak from firsthand experience.  Your attacks against me just seem mean-spirited to me.  Really, I don't recall ever having had any unpleasant conversation with you, so I'm kind of surprised to see such hostility toward me on your part.I'd appreciate if you'd check with several other players who HAVE BEEN national/Olympic team members since I became president.  I'm not saying I've been perfect, I'm just saying that a lot of your accusations against me seem to emanate from rumors, not from fact.

Thanks for allowing me to clear things up.  I hope you have a great week too.

Sheri

Razvan again replies to this.  This reply touches on the ongoing financial scandal swirling about USATT and the Pittman administration.  Part of this centers on the absolutely unforgivable withholding of promised training funds earned by members of the US World Team in February!!!!  Nine months later, these poor struggling athletes are begging for subsistence money while Sheri flits here and there all over the globe and gives out thousands of USATT dollars to foreign players!!!  This is excellent reading and shows just what dire straights we are in and how clueless Pittman really is.  (again misspellings have been corrected)

Dear Sheri:
 

   I think you are making this worse and worse for you. It's not that I
don't give you any credit, I do a little! But I just don't have much respect
for some people that are running this organization. The reality is that
players still suffer to this day if not more then before.

  I gave my opinion about how disgusted I am about what is going on with
table tennis in this country and I'm sure everybody understands where I'm
coming from. You shouldn't by any means blame anything on somebody else, you
are the president and I blame you first!

  To this day players are starving, but yet trying their hearts out for US
Team , I know I did! They have not even received the grants for this year,
and trials  already for next year will be coming up in two months (that's
ridiculous, don't you think?). The U.S. Team members are to this day paying
for their training without having any support for their expenses and time
involved. We are informed almost always in the last moment and misinformed
most of the time. I think a first grade kid will run the show better.

  Almost all of our tournaments are disorganized and without referees! In
the past and to this day people in charge change the law and rules almost in
the last moment to mess up our training hopes and  to ruin our life's (my
case before the Nationals, and misinformed about this years trials for
National Team). And by the way I don't blame Margaret Smith I really blame
you for it! Nobody said anything about Margaret! And Ok lets not call it a
lie, lets call it an act of (and again I'm not talking about Margaret, I
actually like Margaret, I think she tries to help) incompetence or maybe we
can say whoever had anything to do with the delays on informing Margaret or
who ever addressed that to her is really ignorant. I'm sure somebody is
responsible, and in that case you as a President of our Association should
make sure that committees are doing their job, and that there is set of
rules, which would be very useful for HQ and Margaret to finally be clear
and ready to give out information. I am sure in that case there wouldn't be
any mistakes made.

  What about training camps? I'll tell you this much ,and I'm sure most
(serious) players will tell you the same - OAKBROOK IS THE GREATEST FACILITY
IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD AND ALSO HAS PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR TRAINING. And thanks God we have people like TEODOR GHEORGHE as a coach (Nat.Team - Women)
who even lives at the Center. He is one of the few people who is actually
helping to the sport and we should respect that. He is always available to
teach you and he cares a great deal. Also from my personal experience I can
tell you that Bob Allshouse helps a lot, too. He had put lots of money from
his pocket to help improve the conditions at the Center and helped players
financially (Jasna, Barney, Virginia, Kurt, myself and almost all the players
that lived there to train and study or just visit the camp). The truth is
that it doesn't matter where the training camp is located , players can not
afford to just move there to practice only, they worry about their future
and families, wouldn't you? If you offer me $5000 contract a month to train
for better results for US Team believe me I'll move anywhere and I will have
better results!!! To not forget about part where you are claiming how USATT
is spending unbelievable amounts on Oakbrook Training Center, which is not
true, because Jasna told me exactly how much you send a month to run the
center. The amount is $1300 , which is not enough for essential bills just
to run the center( such as electricity for Gym  and all other bills). Jasna
knows everything about billing in Center, because besides going to school
that was her job there.

   I understand that relationship with China is important and plays a major
role for a better table tennis in U.S . and also in any other countries in
the world, but that's not really what I'm talking about in addressing my
anger and pain!

   And by any means don't believe for a second that I'm trying to be hostile
against you , it might seem that way, but it's because I'm speaking from my
heart. I would have done the same, no matter who was the President. My
comments are not based on rumors ,it is just what I see and feel.

  I would like to ask you to NOT use me as one of your campaign strategies,
because that is what you are doing in your replies. You are constantly
running away from taking responsibility and till you apologize to me for
what happened to me with Nationals and Trials during your time of Presidency
and till you actually do something for the players (regarding to what I
wrote) , I don't really want to hear from you !

  I have to get back to study. By the way I am in this school on government's
account ( I am receiving Pel-Grant ), not on any scholarship. You just
offered to help with your (connections) public relation skill but you did not
have anything to do with creating the program. Christian should take all
credit for that!

   Take care

   Razvan

On another note, President Pittman has just returned from yet another USATT paid "vacation" in California.  (she actually used the USATT time & money to campaign at a tournament there)

The AD,"1. We've returned the vote to you, our members, as promised."

The reality: Pittman could have returned the vote to us TWO TERMS AGO!  instead, she chose to be the beneficiary of the board selection process instead of letting the people vote on her actions.  Only now, 6 MONTHS AFTER her second appointment expired, does she graciously 'let us' vote on her actions.  Pittman's term actually ended 6 months ago, but she PREVENTED US from voting!

The AD, "2. We've made Youth & Club Development a TOP priority,  as promised, with four PAID staff working on developmental programs:
• USATT Programs Director Debbie Doney
• USATT Club Programs Director Larry Hodges
• USATT Coaching Development Director Dan Seemiller
• USATT Touring Coach Doru Gheorghe."

The reality: Debbie Doney QUIT USATT when Pittman came to power and had to be begged to come back!  We were without her services for a year!  let's see loss of a year of productivity translates to a benefit to us the members, yes, that is Pittman logic all right.

USATT Club Programs Director Larry Hodges! Oh my God!  Who does not see this is just another pork pie way to slip Hodges more of our USATT money!!!  What happened to Alan Williams? (disagree with Sheri and out you go!)

USATT Coaching Development Director Dan Seemiller, poor Dan, as if he doesn't have enough to do trying to rescue our miserable National Team, Sheri loads him up with this.  Yeah, that's sound leadership.

USATT Touring Coach Doru Gheorghe, Doru is one of the brightest spots in USATT now.  Of course Sheri is trying to claim credit for his success and hard work.  Her scheme of farming Doru out simply can't work.  It is terribly cost ineffective and dilutes his ability to accomplish anything.  More Pittman logic and leadership.

The AD, "3. We've laid the groundwork for Regional Training Centers, as promised, and listed the bid specifications on the USATT website."

The reality,basically, they have done nothing to advance past President Terry Timmins' idea of regional training centers, except on paper.

The AD, "4. We've provided you with a greatly improved, on-time magazine, as promised, along with online coverage of major tournaments and web-based availability of virtually every association publication."

The reality: Pittman was one of the CAUSES of the delays in the magazine before she hired her political crony to run it!  There are a number of sites USATT does not pay for (like this one), that have online coverage of major tournaments.  They were around years before Pittman had anything to do with it!  As a matter of fact, Pittman's opponent, Sean O'Neall, STARTED the USATT website, not the current regime.

The AD, "5. We've turned our nationally-run tournaments over to experienced professionals, as promised, with internationally-acclaimed results."

The reality, The above statement is total malarkey!  Pittman was an OBSTRUCTION to the running and production of these events and they were successful DESPITE her involvement, NOT because of it.  She attempted, unsuccessfully to replace competent, trained personnel with those less skilled, in critical positions, as political pay-offs.  She was generally blocked from doing this by a strong volunteer UNPAID, staff.  As yet, she has had little success in funneling more USATT funds to pay political cronies to run these events.  Consequently, staff dedicated to the success of the sport and USATT has run these exceptional events.

These events were all run by unpaid volunteers, in place before the Pittman regime came to power.  I was the Referee of the 2000 US Open, which many have claimed was the best US tournament in history.  Y.C. Lee was the Tournament Chair of the 1999 US Nationals AND both the 2000 US Open & ITTF Pro Tour!!!  Azmy Ibrahim (a Pittman opponent in this election) was the Tournament Director of the 2000 & 2001 ITTF Pro Tours and Y.C. Lee appointees Shonie Aki and Wayne Johnson were the Tournament Directors of the 2000 and 2001 US Opens and US Nationals!!!

The AD,"6. We've made our sponsors a top priority, as promised, and negotiated cash payments from each one of our supplier sponsors, with upgraded levels of sponsorship in each area."

The reality: Ask Stiga about this unjustified claim.

The AD,"7. We've reinstated the right to purchase Life Memberships, as promised."

The reality: Yeah, Priced out of the normal human's reach.

The AD, "8. We've restored regional diversity in our committees, as promised, with 11 states represented in the 15 different committees."

The reality: They REMOVED regional representation from our Board of Directors!

The AD,"9. We've stopped the decline in USATT membership, as promised."

The reality: Members, including those at Canupnet, have been calling for a membership accounting for almost 2 years with NONE FORTHCOMING!

 The AD, "10. We've communicated to you about important USATT, USOC, and ITTF topics through the President's Report/association primer series, as promised."

The reality: THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY PROMISED!  Here is their actual promise (click to see their actual campaign promise).  Notice that it says nothing about giving Pittman 2 FREE PAGES OF ADVERTISING IN EVERY ISSUE.  Also notice that they DID  NOT come close to keeping this promise so they pretended they never made it.  This was perhaps their only legit promise in the last campaign ad.  It would have exposed and prevented the financial malfeasance that her regime has practiced for the last 18 months to 2 years!

Recently when USATT members demanded an accounting of money spent on the 2001 US Open, USATT Treasurer, Tong Lee replied (in published text), "Financial info such as what you are talking about is provided on a 'need to know' basis."  Well Tong, if the membership is not entitled to know how you are spending our money, perhaps the IRS would be interested in your clandestine shenanigans!!!

Deep rumor has it that Pittman prevented the early mailing of ballots a few days ago so she could get another campaign ad out, with the hopes no one would have the time to refute whatever she may say in it.  These rumors come from VERY, VERY high sources.

Remember, make sure your ballots are in by the due date, even though this may mean having to overnight them.  If you do not receive your ballots in the next few days call headquarters and demand yours!*

Today I worked hard at work trying to build  a case against an individual so
that I could refer the case for criminal charges.  After work I went to have
a beer to relax and converse.  While having my beer I read the mailing from
the "Pittman Team"  While sitting there enjoying my beer I realized that I
was going after the wrong people today!

 The first thing I would like to do is say thank you to Sean O'Neill and his
team for putting out a very informative flyer.  The flyer was full of goals
that each individual wants to see accomplished with the USATT.  There was
not one attack of another person who is running for office.  To me, this
means the guy has a lot of class and shows a very professional manner.  It
also shows that each individual is confident in their desires that there is
no need to personally attack the people in the election.  Once again Sean,
thanks a lot for putting out such a high quality informative campaign flyer.

 I wish I could say the same thing about the "Pittman Team", but I can not.
What I read got me so heated that I could not stay any longer and enjoy
another beer.  I had to go home and do the un-thinkable, write a response to
such misleading information.

 The first bit of information that I find interesting with the Pittman
propaganda is stated in the 6 full color pages.  It states: "Please vote for
Sheri Pittman, Tim Boggan, Robert Mayer and Dr. Jiing Wang, We need a
unified Board to finish what we've started, Don't split the board in half!
From USATT Board Members Barney D. Reed, Hank McCoullum, Dennis Taylor, Tong
Lee and Khoa Nguyen.

 Why is this interesting?  Because Bob Tretheway, who is currently a Board
Member is also running for Vice President!  Where is he included in the
Pittman propaganda?  Um, ...  Robert Mayer, who is not currently on the
Board is included with the Pittman Team!  Yet the Pittman Team states: "Don't
 split the board in half!"  This sounds more like we only want people who
agree with us and will do things our way.

 As you will also noticed is that George Brathwaite is also not mentioned.
Seems like the Pittman Team does not have all the Board behind them.  Here
are two individuals who have been involved in table tennis for years and
bring with them considerable experience and knowledge, yet the Pittman Team
apparently does not have their backing.

 The last page of this propaganda is totally uncalled for.  The whole page
is just an attack on Sean O'Neill.  This just shows how low the Pittman Team
will go in attacking the candidates on the O'Neill Team.  I was hoping that
this election could be free from such worthless garbage, but I am wrong.  It
is also interesting to note that the Pittman Team does not attack Azmy
Ibrahim, Bob Tretheway and Lily Yip, all of who are also running in this
election.

 The other piece of propaganda that is at issue is the yellow sheet that was
included in the mailing.  Number one, the Pittman Team had no confidence at
all in mailing this out prior to the mailing done by O'Neill's Team.  They
had to wait and see what O'Neill's Team had to say before they put out their
propaganda.  Nice play, but if one thinks about it, it is a very low class
act.  If one had any confidence in their chances of winning they could
easily put together a flyer with the information on what they have done and
where they want to see the USATT go.  Ah, let's see here, O'Neill's Team put
out their flyer prior to and not waiting around for the Pittman propaganda.
Who has the professionalism and class?  Who wants the voters to know what
their position is on issues facing the USATT?  Who does not want to waste
time in making useless attacks against other individuals?  I believe
everyone will be able to see that Sean O'Neill's Team is the answer to each
and everyone of these questions.

 Under the section about Sean O'Neill it states: "O'Neill makes some good
points, although they still come mostly under the laundry list category.
But he leaves out a lot."  The key words taken straight from the Pittman
Team is "But he leaves out a lot"  Let me add what the Pittman Team has left
out of their response.  I am making these comments based on facts and
personal experience in dealing with Pittman Team.

#1 USATT budget

Quoting from Sean's flyer, "In 1999, USATT ran a deficit of $43,347.  In
2000, USATT's deficit was $175,792.  USATT started 1999 with net assets of
$257,447 and finished 2000 with net assets of $38,308.  It should go without
saying that USATT must live within its means.  It is the responsibility of
the President and the Board of Directors to ensure that the association
attains its goals while remaining financially sound."

I have worked in the accounting field for over 15 years.  I have become a
CPA and have been involved with the Association of Certified Fraud
Examiners.  From reading what Sean said, that makes perfect sense.  What the
Association has to look out for is the bottom line,  the assets of the
Association and the cash flow of the Association.

The response from the Pittman Team is:

"His discussion is in simplistic terms.  He fails to note that we generated
record revenues and exceeded $1 million ($1,107,000) in revenues for the
first time ever; these funds were used to support many programs.  For a more
detailed discussion, see the online 2000 Budget Report."

My question is: Who cares if the revenues increased to $1,107,000 if your
expenses increased to $1,282,605?  You lost $175,792 for the year!  This
loss caused the Board to increase the dues and also the entry fees to the
U.S. Open by a substantial amount!  That is why there is record revenue!
You had to start covering the massive loss that was accumulating!  Just
saying you had record revenues means absolutely nothing when it comes to
finances.  In 1998, which is prior to the Pittman Team, the Association had
excess revenue of $30,171.  That is why there was no increase in dues and
entry fees in the prior years.  The prior administration was able to contain
the budget.  This administration has clearly shown they have insufficient
knowledge to control the budget of the Association.

Well the time has come for me to go and pick up my wife from work.  I don't
want to be late because she will ask me what interesting thing I was  doing.
I'll have to tell her that I wasted my whole day at work, I should have
started working after I came home and read the mail.

There are other several false statements made in this propaganda but right
now I don't feel like writing any more, I'm tired and looking forward to
that beer. This time without the mail.

One last thought, at the bottom of the propaganda it states: "The masses
will read this mailing, and not realize how misleading much of it is."
Finally the Pittman Team has stated the truth!!!  They have finally realized
what they have said is misleading.  Thank you for finally realizing this.

Wayne

Dawn, I have a question for you, did we lose $10,000 or was it $20,000 on our National Team Trials held in San Deigo in February?  10 months later, and Tong Lee still has not fessed up to this financial boondogle.  Guess he is also trying to stall this admission 'till after the elections. (prior to the Pittman Regime', previous team trials were not money losing events.  Guess this is more groundbreaking leadership from Sheri & company.)

Just learned another devious little financial move Sheri and company is trying to pull.  USATT has STILL not payed the US Team members money they earned for making the team back in February.  seems they don't have the funds.  But they are in a dilemma.  USOC is supplying this money specifically to USATT to fund the team members. (we are talking in the neighborhood of $20,000 dollars)  When USATT tried to get them to let them use the money in a dispersal that was contrary to what was agreed, USOC said no, disperse it as agreed or give it back.

Well, USATT does not have the money to give back, and the US Team members will/should sue them if they don't get their stipends.  What is Sheri to do?  Check this slimy little idea she and Dennis Taylor came up with!  They pay the athletes as agreed, thus satisfying USOC, but THEN they demand the players each give $1000 apiece back to USATT!!!  Ah, cheesy lawyers, don't you just love it?  Anybody think USOC will not find out about this one?

Question for Dawn, "Why is it that USATT has enough money to guarantee hundreds of thousands of dollars to Sheri's political cronies, enough money to send Sheri and her cohorts all over the world, enough money to buy George Brathwaite's vote and endorsement (that cost them $8000 I am told) and NOT enough money to give the 10 US World team members the measly $2500 they EARNED making the team???"

Update 2: Sheri Pittman, sensing imminent defeat, responds to US Team members complaints (10 months late, and only AFTER Canupnet forces her hand):

Sheri writes, "I don't agree with the idea that the 1 & 2 players should give money to the 4 & 5 players.  I have never agreed with that proposal.  Up until now, I have communicated my thoughts privately only to a few individuals (including Ashu).  Several days ago I suggested to Dennis this situation come to closure as soon as possible by having the EAC allocate $6,000 to the 4 & 5 players ($1,500 each).  This way the top three players would all receive their USOC stipend of $2,500.

By the way, the 1-2-3 player $2,500 stipends will be paid directly to the athletes from the USOC.  The USOC is not allowed to give stipend money directly to NGBs.  I promise to work directly with Dennis, Dwight, and the USOC to see that this situation is resolved -- meaning that all national team players receive your checks as quickly as possible.  Contrary to the misinformation posted by Mr. Canup, USOC stipends to the athletes go directly from the USOC to the athletes.  I repeat: The USOC is prohibited from channeling stipend money through NGBs.

On behalf of USA Table Tennis, I apologize to you, our national team members, for this delay in receiving your stipends.

Sheri Pittman"

Thank you to President Pittman for pointing out our accounting error regarding the dispersal method of part of the National Team funding.  As stated, we will always correct factual errors posted here.  However, we are pleased to note that the basic facts of the situation have been officially verified, USATT has failed to pay it's National Team members for 10 months.

While we are touched at Sheri's (faux) empathy for the pain of the US Team members, anyone out there not see this as a pathetic last minute attempt to save her failed presidency?  Who believes that a good leader would wait until her butt was on the line to correct such an egregious and blatant error and insult to the players.  If she truly believed what she said in her "it's not my fault" note, this incident would have gone away 9 months ago.

Nice try Sheri.

Sure hope you are making your votes count!!!

While Tong disputes interpretation of the facts, (he is a running mate of President Pittman) he validates their truthfulness.  It is amusing, however, that he spends most of his time trying to figure out our sources.  While simultaneously proclaiming our facts as correct and calling us liars for posting them, he blasts third parties uninvolved with our site for providing us these facts.

Tong has accused candidates opposed to his regime of using this web page as a political tool.  To make matters perfectly clear, the two candidates with whom we have the most contact are Sheri Pittman and Robert Mayer.  While we gave the opportunity to every candidate currently running for office, to send us an official statement for posting, only President Pittman has chosen to use this web page as a political platform.

At one point he says that only 4 people in the world knew that USATT had paid for Pittman's trip to San Diego to campaign.  The question here should not be who our source is, but WHY only 4 (check your numbers on that one Tong) people knew and WHY we paid for her campaign trip?  Funny that you, her campaign cohort, authorized the funds for her to go and campaign.  Nice little thing you two have going.  I know you live by the Bay, Tong, but that fishy smell of collusion stinks all the way down here!

You are way off target on this one, Tong.  If you are interested in where information is coming from, try looking at One Olympic Plaza, Co. Springs.  I am not saying that current or former employees of the Pittman Regime' are providing us the details, but, let us say that rumor has it, even the highest paid employee of USATT (well the second highest paid if you count Larry Hodges), has been threatened with termination if they provide any additional information to us.

Paranoia is running wild through this dysfunctional Regime'.  Today, USATT VP, and Pittman cohort, Dennis Taylor blasted US National Team member Jasna Reed for daring to voice her opinions, saying that these are internal matters best kept secret.  That is how this group operates, under the table, in the dark, and secretly, hoping no one will find out what they have done until it is too late.  Heck, often times, they do not even bother to include Board members in USATT Board affairs, denying them the right to discuss or even VOTE on USATT matters!  Sheri knows best, all hail Sheri.

By the way, Tong, our primary source on this section was Tong Lee, USATT Treasurer.  Perhaps you should resign before Pittman fires you for providing us information!

Good news, Allen Barth, 2000 US Nationals Referee has agreed to assume the duties of the 2001 post left vacant by the latest USATT resignation.  Allen is an experienced referee and should be able to do an excellent job under a difficult situation.

Reliable sources report that Wayne would not budge when Pittman demanded unfeasible and/or unethical changes to our national tournaments, insisting on maintaining proper standards of tournament operation.  This loss comes hot on the heals of the resignation of the US Nationals Referee.

In an unrelated move, Pittman has appointed Allen Watson as head of USATT Rules Committee.  Previously, the chairman of this committee had to be an International Umpire.  Mr. Watson is a good and dedicated man, but this sets a very dangerous precedent.

11/20/01 Correction: Allen Watson was appointed to replace Wayne Johnson as 2001 National Championships Tournament Director.  Wendell Dillon (International Referee) has assumed the position of Chairman of the USATT Rules Committee.

Also in an unrelated story, Dwight Johnson as of this date, continues to hold the post of Executive Director of USATT.

(Known) Free Personal Vacations for Ms. Pittman paid for entirely by table tennis funds

Location & Duration	Official USATT Reason
2 weeks in the Netherlands	3 day ITTF BGM meeting
1 week in Winnipeg	NONE (went to watch Pan Am Games)
3 weeks in Australia	NONE (went to watch Olympics)
2 weeks in China	NONE (went to watch junior exhibitions)
1 week in New York	NONE (went to watch Olympic Trials)
1 week in Toronto	Beg ITTF for money & watch some TT
2 weeks in Las Vegas	2 - 1 day USATT BOD meetings
2 weeks in Maylasia	3 day ITTF BGM meeting
2 weeks in Colorado	Financially "Straighten out" USATT
3 weeks in Maryland	NONE (went to NA Teams)
2 weeks in Florida	NONE (went to watch US Opens)
1 week in Southern California	NONE (wanted to watch Team Trials) News Flash, Pittman bows to your political pressure, forced to cancel planned California paid vacation
2 weeks in Japan	3 day ITTF BGM meeting
1 week in Florida	NONE (went to US Open to campaign on our dime)
1 weekend in California	Brief morning meeting with NA Tour Sponsor Real reason to campaign at local tournament
1 weekend in New York	NONE (went to pay back a political debt)
1 weekend in Colorado	USATT BOD meeting
1 week in Las Vegas	NONE (went to watch National Championships)
1 week in China	NONE (went to watch Pro Tour Grand Finals)

People are starting to realize that with USATT's loss of $183,000.00 in 2000 (and the potential bankruptcy of the organization if this is allowed to continue), we are at a critical point in our history.

The question looms large.  How do we stop this bleeding?

It is up to you now.  Do you care enough to save USATT?  If so, how?

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