I am not sure just how long I have been a member but I was coming to the chipboard before I joined the club. I understood that THIS was not “the club” itself- but where a lot of chippers hung out. As long as I can remember there have been some pretty good fights along the way. The ONE thing that I can PROMISE you is that CHIPS are NOT why I have been a steady reader and poster of this board; sure they are part, a secondary part. The REAL REASON is everyone here is like family, when I was in the hospital after by-pass I had tons of well wishes, I have been warmly welcomed here, I 'feel' as I know many of you personally by the stories you tell, the holiday wishes, the generosity and thoughtfulness. THAT MY FRIEND is the difference I see AND what others see- You know it is true because it has been stated RIGHT HERE ON THE BOARD by MANY PEOPLE, MANY TIMES- Not just me.

The Official CC>CC Website does a WONDERFUL JOB, posts there are club business related. Information is available there and many "Big Hitters" (at least bigger than me) are there. While it is a wonderful site I have NEVER gotten a Get Well Soon, How's Coco, or the warm welcome I feel here. No, that it not what that site is about- THIS site IS (or has been for years). If the people want strictly chip related topics and discussions, go to the official site because that is exactly what you will find. But, people want to come here- the PROOF is in the traffic- The chipboard has 50 times the traffic the official site has, plus the topics that get the MOST hits are actually the controversial ones, Politics, Slabbing, Wal-Mart Banana Prices... etc. even SKIP's political post after the big discussion Sunday got more hits than any of the other posts that whole day. Making the board more sterile (like the official site) will surely decrease traffic, lower the hits, and diminish the open and family atmosphere (Things that caused me to STAY here).

Why someone would choose to abandon the hobby because what happens here anymore than what happens at FACEBOOK? Simply they should frequent the Official site, this one is a private board where chippers happen to hang out. Next time I hear someone bad-mouthing chips at Star Bucks, I am coming here to complain and maybe quit the club!! Really?.. How much sense does that make? None.

Greg ran the board the way GREG ran it, Greg is not here any more Brian is, it’s HIS call now, it's his board now. If you don't like it no one is forcing you to come here- If you love it, no one can stop you (so far). So far I have loved it.

I wish I was a "Big Hitter" but my knowledge and passion pales to many (most) of you. I have learn things, I have asked questions, and I cut-up and often post junk- until now I felt it was OK. I try to share what I know with others- I am not an expert on chips but I do have an above average knowledge of banknotes. I try to share that here- I know this is NOT the forum but many people enjoy it. I do/will engage in a hot topic and say what I think (not always the best thing to do), be it again political, chips, Wal-Mart Banana prices or slabbing, that's just me. I like John Benedict- He was the first person I ever posted to (I was inquiring about a Monaco Jeton)- Politically we are on opposite sides of the fence (he's on the WRONG side & I'm on the right side He just doesn’t know it). I know a lot about John from over the years, and he knows a lot about me- So, sometimes I like to poke John with a stick now and then and fire him up and I am sure he likes to poke a stick at me sometimes too. I respect John and his knowledge of plaques and MOPs and some of his viewpoints -BUT NOT ALL OF THEM!! I could give a story about most of the members here- John was just one example. Off topics, heated debates (fights or pissing-contests whatever you call them) may be reasons some give for leaving- BUT remember it is the REASON MANY STAY. I am one.

I am sorry I cannot contribute more or I would- But if the direction of this board is leaning is to a more sterile environment like the Official site then I have even less to offer and it would be no fun for me either. That's just my thoughts, the answers will come from Brian as to what lay ahead and I fully respect that and admire his broad shoulders for stepping up to the plate. So, for me- We’ll See. (Man! Does this look like an AARON PEACOCK Post or What??)