POCA Elections for President

quote:

...narrowing the chasm that exists between PI and POCA

Right on! It's not that big a community and I've always wondered why that was. Glad someone finally wants to do something about it!

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelSavGa:

... narrowing the chasm that exists between PI and POCA ...

For the last 9 years I have been the president/CEO of PI, and a member of both PI and POCA longer than that. I don't believe there is anything close to what can be described as a chasm between the clubs. I don't wish to undermine your bid for president, but I feel such a comment insults the people at POCA who have shown me goodwill and amity, and the goodwill and amity I have reciprocated. So I feel compelled to comment.

quote:

Originally posted by David B:

... It's not that big a community and I've always wondered why that was ...

The founders of PI (Fred Matsumoto and John Chung) were present at the founding of POCA. The two clubs were not only meant to coexist peacefully, they were intended to complement each other. PI's founding mission was intended to be that of providing a platform where members can share information and help each other amend their cars and keep them on the road. POCA was (and still is) the social and event club.

-G

I do not mean to offend or seem out of place here. But by chasm I assume it was the space I notice existing between the two clubs.

I have only met POCA members at POCA or other major Pantera gatherings. I have been a member of both clubs for years. And while I have nothing but nice things to say about all the POCA members I know, the vast majority of POCA members do not seem to visit this board. And I rarely, if ever, could figure out how to use the POCA email list.

That's the space I'd like to see reduced. Sorry if it's just me who sees it that way. This post is the first time I've heard others identify it as something that could be improved.

David thank you for the explanation regarding the email list. I was once a member of both sites, but I found I didn't have time for both so I chose the one I thought was best, this one. However a lot of POCA members contribute here, you may not recognize it. For instance:

Canadian guys you are familiar with: Mark Charlton, Peter Havlik, Bill Moore, David Nunn

Others:
Jack DeRyke - POCA's newsletter editor (boss wrench)
John Taphorn - a former POCA president (JT Pantera)
Chuck Huber (Rocky)
John Buckman - the current POCA president (jb1490)
Ron Southern (PanTTera)
Chuck Anderson (7260)
Randy Kershaw - Randy owns the Woodhouse Pantera (Red Dawg)
Jim Coyne - Jim owns 4 Panteras! (technosound)
Joe Adlhoch (Joe A)
Kevin Hubby - a former POCA chapter president (Rapid)
Jeff Detrich - another former POCA chapter president (jeff 6559)
Les Gray - another former POCA president (Guitar Man)
Mike Dailey - Everyone knows Mike, he's one of this forum's oldest members (Pantera 1887)
Scott Bell (ZR1 Pantera)
Mike Mayberry - I purchased my Pantera from Mike in 2004, my dear friend Dale purchased his from Mike in 1972 (King)
Mark Skwarek (ehpantera)
Ron McCall (r McCall)
Mark DeCasien - another former POCA chapter president (DEVIL)
Richard Barkley - another POCA chapter president (rbarkley671)
Ron Hyde (parapantera)
Steve Liebenow (Mangusta)
Art Stepehens (Art) - hope all is well Art
John Ircink (JOHNEYE) - John tell your wife I say hi!
Jan Taraszkiewicz (Does 200)
Mike Drew - POCA's former magazine editor (Mike Drew)
Ed Mendez (Ed Mendez)
Mike Becker - current president of the San Diego POCA chapter (Mike Becker)
Brian Dudley (bdud)
Larry Finch (LF-TP2511)
Peter Fenlon (Peter Fenlon)
Garth Rodericks - another former POCA chapter president (garth66) - my apologies Garth
Joe Bernardi (Joe 1974 L #6656)
Julian Kift (Joules)

Those are names that come to mind, but there's many I realize I've omitted. Those I've omitted please forgive me. If I listed every person who was both a contributing member of the forums and a member of POCA this would be a very long list.

My memory was jogged because some of the folks are in the list of recent posts, some are guys I've recently been in contact with, or some are just folks I've recently thought of for one reason or another. I thought of some of them because I consider them friends (I'm getting old and plagued by moments of reflection). Some guys don't post as often as they used to. Some folks have found new interests. Some folks have less time. Some folks don't like me. Its OK to not like me, but I wish people wouldn't let the dislike for one member stop them from being involved with everyone else. Les Gray recently replied to a thread in the ZF forum. Mike Dailey recently replied to a thread in the engine forum. Both posts were noticed and appreciated. Steve Liebenow posts off and on in the Mangusta forum. Steve is cool ... anyone who likes Mangustas is cool.

Our forums, for which I am merely the current caretaker, have reached a point where we have months with a peak number of page views over 900,000. That's over 30,000 page views per day! With numbers like that you can bet that most Pantera owners and enthusiasts around the world, including POCA members, read the posts here even though they don't contribute. Like you, I wish they would contribute. This community waits to welcome and embrace them.

-G

quote:

Those are names that come to mind, but there's many I realize I've omitted.

What about me??? I'm a POCA member and past chapter (PCNC) President.

Seriously, I participate on both this forum and the DeTomaso Mail List because I frankly can't get enough Pantera content. It goes well with my morning cup of coffee. And I appreciate everyone's willingness to share information and help one another.

I'm fairly new here and don't post as often as the others, but as George points out, I spend more time than I probably should surfing threads to learn about these fine machines and the people that own/drive them! I'm like a sponge and will be happy if I can learn 1/2 as much as many of you "Guru's" here and on the POCA site have forgotten!

BTW, in the short time I've been in the Pantera community:

I took my first Pantera ride in Garth's car at a PCNC meeting.
I bought a beautiful NOS shifter gate from MichaelSavGa based on his post in the POCA e-mail
I tried to hook up with David B and his friends at the Montreal GP this year thanks to this Forum
I had great conversations with Jay (Quickitty) about some of his cars
I bought some items for my car from Mike Mayberry
I currently own #7260 (formerly owned by Chuck Anderson)
I had my signal light switched fixed by SOBill

In other words, I truly appreciate PI forums and the POCA e-mail strings. I continue to meet great people in both places. There will always be some differences among folks in a community like this. kind of normal IMO.

Dennis

Add me to the list!
Yes I am a Pantera addict, never enough info.
This board/forum has been and will be my go to for info, thank you George for everything.
I am just glad the Flordia chapter of POCA is up and running.