Hello from the AOS

[orchideric]

Dear Sue,

I've done that and been stonewalled. The salted-earth policy of the AOS is legendary. Question them and you will be attacked. Just ask all the people who have won their lawsuits against the AOS afterwards - especially the most notorious with the AOS "outing" the HIV status of one of its judges.

It is Brian who joined the OrchidBoard in his official capacity and offered to answer questions. He is on this site as an official employee/schill for the AOS. He did not join as someone wth any interest in orchids.

As a fellow Floridian aren't you concerned with how your tax dollars are being spent? The OrchidBoard - post-Brian - is a legitimate place to ask AOS financial questions. We are paying for the Swamp Mahal after all.

Eric

[cb977]

The OrchidBoard - post-Brian - is a legitimate place to ask AOS financial questions.

No, it is not. Orchidboard is a place for us to come and enjoy ourselves in the process of growing orchids.

It is not...post-Brain or not...the place to delve into the financial processes of the AOS. If you feel the need to pursue this, feel free to contact Brian privately...

but please do not do it in our forums.

Again, thank you for your understanding.

[orchideric]

Dear Sue,

You and I must agree to disagree. I withhold the right to ask a salesman questions. I realize that you are biased toward the AOS as I used to be. It is blind support that has rid the society of around 20,000 members.

Eric

[nodosakid]

Susanne is right - maybe Brian should start a forum a the AOS web site to answer AOS questions? But the AOS has not bought any property since their original purchase. They are using property adjacent to theirs that is owned by Morkiami/Palm Beach county.

[orchideric]

Dear Nodosakid,

There is a half page article on the AOS "expansion" to include the "Lake Huntington Walk" in the current Orchid Review. What is your basis for stating that this has not been purchased? Again the secrecy. If this was not purchased by the AOS why wasn't the nature of the arrangement stated? You and Sue are quite resolute that I am not supposed to ask Brian about these matters.

Just asking straightforward questions of an orchid tourist attraction, Eric

[nodosakid]

Eric, I can see why you think it was a purchase but that property belongs to Morikami which is owned by Palm Beach County. The plants on it were mostly donated by JEM Orchids from their property down the street, which was sold. The publicity is to get people to come and visit. You are right - AOS needs to have a way to clear things up.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by orchideric

Dear Sue,

You and I must agree to disagree. I withhold the right to ask a salesman questions. I realize that you are biased toward the AOS as I used to be. It is blind support that has rid the society of around 20,000 members.

Eric

You're making an assumption with absolutely no basis in fact, Eric.

I am not asking you to take this argument elsewhere because of my support for the AOS...I am asking because I don't want the negativity spoiling the environment here at Orchidboard.

Orchidboard is my only concern in this conversation and I will not allow outside influences to affect this forum.

[nodosakid]

Eric, Call Jim Jordan, Executive Director of AOS 561-404-2010, and ask him your list of questions. The guy is very straightforward. He answers his own phone and does not have a secretary. He can verify what I told you.

[bswanson]

Originally Posted by nodosakid

Eric, Call Jim Jordan, Executive Director of AOS 561-404-2010, and ask him your list of questions. The guy is very straightforward. He answers his own phone and does not have a secretary. He can verify what I told you.

That was exactly the advice I was going to give.

Eric,

I want you to know that we are working hard at the AOS to change and improve the culture. Jim Jordan is a very straightforward guy and is doing a lot to make happen.

If you don't want to call you can email him at jjordan@aos.org or can PM me and I will do my best to get you an answer.

This goes for anyone else that has a question. Please ask I will do my best to get you an answer.

- Brian

[bswanson]

Originally Posted by orchideric

Dear Nodosakid,

There is a half page article on the AOS "expansion" to include the "Lake Huntington Walk" in the current Orchid Review. What is your basis for stating that this has not been purchased? Again the secrecy. If this was not purchased by the AOS why wasn't the nature of the arrangement stated? You and Sue are quite resolute that I am not supposed to ask Brian about these matters.

Just asking straightforward questions of an orchid tourist attraction, Eric

Eric,

The AOS did not purchase any land for this. As far as I know there was no secrecy in this. The expansion was done by the garden staff with little cost.

The Lake Huntington Walk is a wonderful addition to our botanical garden. We are seeing increase in visitation to the garden and most of those visitors are from outside of the South FL area.

- Brian