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Post by fishinmachine on Jul 20, 2009 12:45:51 GMT -5
we're obviously not going to get any real answers from the lci people so I guess this will just die all by itself. we will see what happens next spring when its time to buy tickets.
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Post by guybby on Jul 20, 2009 15:37:46 GMT -5
Hey guys, Note from F&W on the lamprey meeting the other night and questions posed regarding LCIs involvement. Thanks! Guy
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Post by Dockside (Ben) on Jul 20, 2009 18:17:38 GMT -5
The LCI money promotes fishing in Vermont that makes more sense. The state gave the LCI $60,000 to promote fishing in Vermont? I think that was the amount I read in the 990's?
That's funny because that's the same amount Fish and Game eliminated in salaries if I am correct. So 2 people lost their jobs in order to advertise with LCI?
Some of that $60,00 should go back to state fishing. I believe that would put alot to rest if you ask me. LCI could really bail out the fishing industry of Vermont with a huge donation to the state hatcheries. They came very close to being cut this year. I know the LCI stood up to fight for the hatcheries and I am grateful. How about maybe give back to the lake that has made the LCI what it is today. A lot of people think the LCI is all talk because they really have not built, made, or produced anything... Lets prove those people wrong LCI and donated cash! How about 20% of the LCI funds to the state hatcheries that would just make sense and make a lot of people feel better.
Wow! This is great Guy keep up the good work.
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Post by mikep on Jul 20, 2009 18:38:18 GMT -5
Guy
don't forget us, we are waiting to see the responses to post number 60 from LCI on this thread as you are trying to get the answers i believe. Seems like all others respond, yourself, me, fish and game, forum members, and well the LCI, hearing from them is like trying to catch a salmon on the surface in august.
MikeP
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Post by donsreelsports on Jul 20, 2009 19:24:43 GMT -5
Thanks Ben and Mike for trying( in spite of all the BS) to hold their feet to the fire. There are still more unanswered questions than there is LIGHT being shed on anything seriously questioned about the dispersion of all monies from the LCI coffers. And isn't it interesting that Mr. Chipman must have got his butt reamed pretty good after the political powers, triggered by guy, James, and probably Wayne got done with him. You ever seen a post by a STATE BIOLOGIST on this forum before? The answer to the direct question that he was asked is STILL "no, the LCI did not make any direct cash contributions to the Lamprey program" and it doesn't make one iota of difference to me that the State did not ASK them to ------why should they have to? If they really wanted to lobby for something worthy----why not get some of that STIMULUS MONEY channeled to the accesses on Champlain, especially those south of Burlington, which are pathetic and could use MILLIONS for improvement. If the sportfishing industry is REALLY that important to the state (and it is), then our fishing accesses should show it----and they clearly DO NOT.
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Post by eightptrob on Jul 20, 2009 20:06:38 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure the ed weed fish hatchery got some stimulus money for new pumps and to start a walleye program. I'm not a 100% sure on this but it's what I've heard.
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Post by An Bradon Charters on Jul 20, 2009 20:48:26 GMT -5
This is still, in my opinion a very informative thread. Look at the amount of views and responses! Many people chiming in with there opinions views and feelings. I sure have heard allot of new information. Guy, I do not understand what the Thanks was for? . Could you provide the rest of the email to make it less confusing? You have been doing the leg work to get the questions answered that were being asked. I believe you are doing an outstanding job and I would like to say thanks for providing the information you have so far. Capt. Tony www.anbradoncharters.com
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Post by An Bradon Charters on Jul 20, 2009 22:55:21 GMT -5
Mike is the the #60 you were referring?
Re: LCI STATS--TOO EXPENSIVE--YOU BE THE JUDGE « Reply #60 on Jul 13, 2009, 7:11am »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guy,
"What you fail to realize is that all of the money Lake Champlain International, Inc. generates goes to protect the resource in one way or another" This is a quote from Frank Petrosino in what is suppose to be a response of how the LCi handles fund raising cash flow. Would you accept such a vague and insulting response for your business?. Would you think this means cash to projects? This superficiality is what peaks people interest, full disclosure would not ruffle people. Frank wanted to quibble over postage and document expense for 22 pages of a 990 filing requested by a citizen, which lets face it, it is indicative of small thinking.
No one here has accused LCI of lying cheating or stealing as you I think in humor said but just want to be sure. People here though have been completely ignored by the LCI, asking just basic questions about their fund raising and use of funds received from fishermen. From this experience the LCI is acting like a closed corporation when they in fact are the opposite, one that needs to be fully open because they depend on the public for their existence.
Since they chose to be silent, fishermen went independently to the nonprofit filing requirement (990)and raised questions from it and got answers from it. Now because they were silent, many fishermen now know how they operate per the 990. I have asked for confirmation of the following for 2008 and ask you to get for us: 1. revenue received 433,008 is spent primarily on the cost of operating derbies and the cost of operating and retaining staff (92.54% of revenue) . This years excess over that amount of expense 32, 285 was deposited in a bank account. Nothing is left to directly help lake projects.
2. The form 990 does not specifically show any cash donations to any third party, any fund, or any effort to improve the lake.
3. Cash in bank is 219, 143 as of September 30, 2008.
4. As advertised in the Gazette , the LCI "launched " the Champlain fisheries Recovery fund, "established" fishing club grants, and the "Fishing for friends is alive and well". Guy , how much cash was donated to each by the LCi. How much by others?
5. Fishing payout prize money from the revenue for fiscal year 2008 of 95, 070 was about 100,000 less than the previous year.
Guy since you have a good way with the LCI, would you also find out if the revenue of 433,008 includes any grants from any where , and how much. it would be interesting to see if the LCI has attracted or merited any other source of grant funds and thus strengthen its ability to do something for the lake at least in the future.
Modus Operandi: The LCI fund raising effort through Derbies, is primarily focused to earn enough cash to keep a full time employee working on the goals of the LCI. No hard projects are funded by the LCI to a significant level, but rather makes efforts to work in the community to coordinate the work of others to actually create useful lake projects. Most of the work done by the LCI is administrative in nature.
The LCI has donated no cash to the Lamprey Control???
LCI has no volunteeers under their control working on hard projects, like stocking, lamprey control, scientific studies, or other form of hands on work to benefit t the lake???
Guy , the questions above are mundane really, and should take them about 15 minutest to compile for you. What it will accomplish is informing the interested fishermen that the LCI is not a direct contributor to lake projects as I and a lot of other people sincerely thought. for those of us over the years that bought into them as a real meaningful champion of cash hands on improvements for the lake , this is all kind of a shock. It doesn't mean its bad or whatever else defensive remarks bring up.
this is in no way meant to diminish the work that is done by the director and others.
Guy if you get these answers, Fishermen now can make an informed decisions if their contributions are worth the output of the Non profit and if they are going to be satisfied that only 21 percent of their contributions are returned in prize bounty from the LCI bank account. .
MikeP
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Post by fishinmachine on Jul 21, 2009 4:33:14 GMT -5
thanks capt. Tony for reminding us what the questions were. and there have been no real answers, just general statements about how the lci has promoted and sponsored and intstigated and encouraged the lake champlain fishery. and thats all were going to get because thats all there is.
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Post by salmoneye on Jul 21, 2009 5:31:35 GMT -5
Deleting, as I know better...
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Post by Dockside (Ben) on Jul 21, 2009 6:08:42 GMT -5
Deleting, as I know better... Hold on salmoneye...... I have to put on my boots to kick this horse...... I was not upset until I found out that the state gave LCI money. WHY? I there is no need for state money to go to the LCI? What do they do with the money??? How much does it cost to stand up and introduce a few biologist and the Vermont fish and game at a few conferences? Here are a few real non-profits that actually help lake Champlain. Lake Champlain Walleye Association - has their own hatcheries do they need state funding...... YES!!!! Ducks Unlimited - helps restore wetlands threw out Vermont and Lake Champlain by fund raising at events. They combine together with the state and match funds to sponsor and build waterfowl habitat. I have seen the products they have built by fund raising and state moneys combined. LCI where is the BEEF?
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Post by donsreelsports on Jul 21, 2009 17:35:34 GMT -5
THREAD read 3,108 times!!!!! Guess it aint goin away quite as quickly as "some" would have hoped!! Let me state here, so that we all may be informed, the MISSION STATEMENT of the LCI. This is found on page 27, in the 990 STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE---PART III
LCI, INC. HOSTS FISHING DERBIES AS A WAY TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN WATER, INFORM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC OF THE VALUE OF A HEALTHY WATERSHED, INVIGORATE THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN ECONOMY AND PROMOTE THE FAMILY VALUES OF ETHICAL FISHING.
These are admirable goals, and it is a fine statement. But it is a SOFT statement, and through it I do not think that it intends to imply that there will EVER be any HARD CASH CAPITAL PROJECTS, or many of the things that many of us would LIKE TO SEE. And I think that I am going to rest my case pretty much with this observation. And I thank the thousands of you that have "hit" this thread, whether you have been in agreement with me or not, and hope that you have been able to "go to school" on the information presented here. And thanks to Capt Tony and Scott for allowing this dialogue. I sincerely believe that it has been a healthy dialogue and you have done a great service to all the members of this forum by allowing it to be presented. TIGHT LINES AND HARD HITS TO ALL OF YOU.
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Post by fishinmachine on Jul 22, 2009 11:01:14 GMT -5
and thats the way it is
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Post by salmoneye on Jul 22, 2009 13:27:50 GMT -5
I am surprised that with all the comments on this forum by so many interested forum members that we have heard nothing from the LCI , YET.why is that? I am surprised that with all the interest, that only a couple of people have bothered to contact LCI directly...
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Post by fishinmachine on Jul 22, 2009 17:29:27 GMT -5
with all the interest I'm surprised that one would HAVE TO call the lci
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