10/12/2023
The Board of KVSBDA had decided to keep quiet and not get into comment wars on social medias with a particular family once our decision to dissolve was made public back in April 2023. However, the outright lies have not only continued but are escalating. As a result, we will make this one post to clear up some of the untruths being told.
In April when the Thomas family requested (via social media) that all KVSBDA assets be given to them, they were denied because they were not a 501c3 organization and we could not give all our assets to an individual. Legally, it was not an option. That part has been left out time and time again.
On March 31 when the mayor of South Charleston was informed of our decision to dissolve, there was ZERO interest in obtaining our assets or an offer of assistance to reconsider the decision to dissolve. “I wish you well” was the response. SIX WEEKS later, another representative from the city, Gerald, called and threatened us with legal action if we didn’t give them everything. By that point, our assets were already divided up and designated, some had already been given away. The City of South Charleston had no legal right to our assets, as they found out through their legal department, and we continued the process of dissolving.
When the decision was made public on April 1, Duane Thomas approached a KVSBDA board member at a rally race in Bowling Green. When he was asked why they didn’t step up and help more so we wouldn’t have had to dissolve, he said that “KVSBDA could go away and they’d start a new one under new management”. They were never interested in helping to save KVSBDA, even in the months prior when it was evident, we needed help or we needed to shut the doors. It was discussed in every monthly meeting we held for almost a year prior to April 2023, along with canceling rallies if we didn’t have enough help to work them.
Along the way, our board members received random calls from Jamey Allen (regional director) asking how much money we had in the bank. Heather from AA called asking for our board meeting minutes and trying to convince us to give the assets to the Thomas family or the City. And a member of the Thomas family even called to drill my son with autism as to how many loaner cars we had in the barn when they were trying to acquire the assets! So much shady stuff has gone on throughout this whole process.
Duane Thomas was on our board (until he was removed in April 2023) but didn’t regularly attend meetings. He told Heather from AA that “he wasn’t invited” to the meeting where the final decision to dissolve occurred. I always posted a reminder of our monthly meetings and that meeting was no different. I have a screen shot of that post where Duane commented he wouldn’t be at the meeting. So many versions of their story making all others here out to be villains and them a victim are flat out lies.
This has been a very trying and sad time for our KVSBDA families that have poured their hearts into keeping this race city going with VERY minimal help. This was not a surprise ending as we’ve known we were in danger of having to make this decision for a couple of years. Lack of local racers and lack of help from the local families we did have racing – including the Thomas family…that did not help with recruiting, fundraising or as everyone has witnessed that has been to a KVSBDA race, on race days.
The snide comments, finger pointing, and blatant lies are outrageous and unwarranted. And was worth doing for a lot of years, not just when you finally figured out what the sign at topside says.
Hopefully this will clear up some of the confusion but if anyone has any further questions, I am more than happy to talk with you. My phone number is 304-730-5301. Thank you to all those that have raced in South Charleston with us over the years and especially those that helped when we were short-handed on race days!!
Cyndi Terry
On behalf of all KVSBDA Board Members
