Fellow Fleeters,

Over the last few months many of us have come to realize that
STARFLEET is once again on the upswing. There is a distinct swagger to
STARFLEET and it's members once more and this in my opinion can be
directly attributed to the valiant efforts of FAdm Smith and his EC
slate.

With this in mind, I would like to hereby announce my candidacy for
the position of Commander, STARFLEET in the 1998 Election.

So now you might ask 'Why praise the sitting CS and then announce your
intention to run against him?'

The simple answer is this: Mike Smith and his slate has done a good
job getting 'fleet where it is now. But we think we can do a better
taking 'fleet to 'the next level' -- and that is why we are running.

When I say "we", i of course mean my running mate and my slate. I
would like to take this moment to introduce them one by one:

RAdm. Michael Malotte, R12 for VCS
I think few words need to be said about Mike's skill and ability. He
was able to take charge of Region 12 at a critical moment and not only
stabilize it, but make it stronger then ever. But not only that, I
personally feel provided to call him my friend. This isn't a 'Kurt is
the CS, everyone else get in line behind him' kind of ticket -- this
is a cooperative venture, with Mike as my partner and (in my mind)
equal.

BGen Les Rickard, R1 for Chief of Operations Les already serves as
Vice-Chief for Operations in the current admin and has an intimate
working knowledge of the system by which STARFLEET functions.
Experienced and with a background in law enforcement, we consider him
to be a vital asset to all of STARFLEET.

RAdm Allyson Dyar, R5 for Chief of Communications I think there isn't
anything I can say about STARFLEET's beloved "Listmommy" that hasn't
been said before (or that Blair Learn hasn't expressed more
eloquently), but suffice to say that in my mind there is no one better
person more qualified to take STARFLEET's communication division, both
in print and online then the person who for nearly 15 years published
an award winning Sci-Fi fanzine and who has guided STARFLEET's online
presence from it's infancy to the present day.

Capt. Tom "Coffee" Restivo, R7 for Commandant of the Academy Tom has
served the current academy commandant faithfully and thus has gained
crucial knowledge of the operation of what is perhaps STARFLEET's most
prominent subsidiary. Already Tom is bustling with ideas for new
colleges and ways to make the Academy more enjoyable for all members
of 'fleet. He has also vowed to offer the current Commandant the
position of "Lackey grrl" in case of our victory. A sportsman-like
gesture if I ever saw one!

Adm. Alex Rosenzweig, R7 for Chief of ShoC Few people in 'fleet have
had as distinguished a career in STARFLEET as Alex has. a CO for over
a decade as well as a former RC and current chief of the Department of
Technical Services, Alex knows the ins and outs of the process of
starting up a shuttle like few others. He is a true asset to any
position that he might hold.

Capt. Greg Trotter, R12 for Chief of Computer Operations Already in
charge of Membership processing in Comp Ops now (and as well as
maintaining one of the 2 sfi.org servers), Greg is the ideal choice
for this position.

All right, one might say, that looks like an impressive slate -- so
what exactly sets this group apart from what we got now?

Simple: our commitment to improving STARFLEET's services.

Here are some items our team intends to implement:

1. Outsourcing of membership material distribution. We have already
contacted a provider of such service and have a solid offer for
services for STARFLEET that will guarantee a membership processing
turnaround of no longer then 10 days or their service fee for the
month (a most reasonable $120) is waived. It is our belief that this
price and level of service is almost impossible to match.

2. A new Membership Handbook. Within the next few weeks our team will
complete it's work on our MHB draft proposal, with a new and user
friendly layout and published as a saddle stiched manual with four
color printing on slick paper with gold foil accents.
Furthermore, the first 500 will be individually numbered and signed by
our team -- so it will be an immediate collectors item.
Along with this MHB, we have secured a printing facility that will
enable to not only publish the MHB at the highest quality ever of any
STARFLEET MHB, it will also allow us to print and publish CQ's with
better stock paper, more color and no brown paper bags for virtually
the same amount currently paid.

3. Accountability. Our team intends to publish financial information
and other vital information not only once every other month, but once
every other week. This promise will be signed by myself and notarized.
If we ever should fail to live up to it, it will result in my
immediate resignation.

4. Financial Stability. Our motto is "work smarter, not harder". To
this end we believe that given our high level of professionalism and
our ability to render services that are of the highest quality for the
same amount of money (or less), it is our belief tat the Chapter
Charter Fee is obsolete and thus will not be imposed under our
administration.

5. Growth. We are committed to growth and progress unlike any other
Administration before us. Our concrete goals include helping to foster
an online presence of no less then 80% of STARFLEETS chapters within
our first term of office and setting up a network by which computer
parts can be collected and traded, which will allow us to equip
chapters currently without computers with the tools necessary to
communicate in the 21st century.

Lastly, there is something that though rather intangible, if very
close to me personally:

Honor and integrity.

The reason for me running is not one based on the fact that I have a
problem with Mike Smith personally -- far from it. I still consider
Mike Smith to be a valued friend and in fact expect our campaign to be
perhaps the most civil in the history of STARFLEET. Furthermore I
personally intend to offer FAdm. Smith a position on my Team as a
special Assistant to the CS - -- if he'll take it. There is no
animosity here, folks. Only a firm belief that we have a better plan
for STARFLEET's future, thats all. And it is thusly we have banded
together as a slate. Everyone who is part of this team is here because
not only to we believe in ourselves -- but we believe in each other.
There is no need for periodic uses of obscure "god clauses" or other
items that can only sow dissent amongst ourselves. We all firmly
believe in putting STARFLEET and it's members first and our own
beliefs and needs second. 

to do so is the only way to maintain the integrity of our own personal
honor. To fail STARFLEET's members means to fail utterly and
completely as human beings. You might say, we are blessed with
additional motivation.

I hope you will give Roithinger/Malotte your support when the
nominating period opens this summer.

With regards,

Team Testosterone.

We can all but smell our own manlyness.