[sagacious]

I'd love to see Jerry's plans work, exactly as he has outlined them.

However, I'm not convinced that enough people will pay a pro-rate monthly fee, or a $60 yearly fee. It really doesn't matter that you, I, or some other folks are willing to pay $60/year. It really doesn't matter how passionate you, I, or some other folks are about the planned expansion of TU. What matters is that a sufficient and continuing number of home-made tackle enthusiasts are willing to support the site maintenance costs and upgrades, and Jerry, so that he can quit his other passion and focus solely on TU.

I could stand up on a podium and say how terribly dissapointed I am in the insouciance displayed by a percentage of the membership, but that achieves nothing other than a certain short-lived and narcissistic self-satisfaction. That X number of members voted, or that X number of members volunteered to pay $X for site maintenance is a reflection of basic human nature. It's not a failing of society. It's not a failing of certain individuals. There are ways to appeal to basic human nature (humans are inherently helpful) that would offset or exceed site maintenance costs, but I don't believe that the strategy presented addresses those considerations.

I have forwarded a few suggestions to admin that have proved successful on the two other fishing sites where I am a mod, so I've seen that there is a strategy that works-- and that doesn't involve membership dues.

I would like to see TU progress as Jerry would like, and in a manner that reduces the stress and workload he must shoulder, in order that we all enjoy the benefits of his labor as we have. Whatever happens, I hope it works out for the best for Jerry, and for those others who put their heart, soul, and wallets into TU.

Best regards,
Eric