RSA boss pledges to fight 'dictators'

BY MATT RILKOFF

Like all conflicts the stoush between the Crow brothers and the New Plymouth RSA has its roots in disgust, despair and disillusionment, says club president Roy Komene.

Mr Komene last night broke his week-long silence on the escalating fight between him and clubroom owners Steve and David Crow.

Elected president just days ago, the Crows have demanded his and senior vice-president Eric "Tex" Schwass's resignations or they will look at closing the club down.

The Crows bought the property nearly two years ago and say the pair have frustrated their development plans and cannot be trusted.

Mr Komene said their resignation was out of the question as they had the full support of a majority of members who wanted the brothers out.

"A lot of our members went to war to fight dictators like Steve Crow so he could have a better life and he seems to forget that," he said.

The Vietnam veteran said he was not scared of Mr Crow, despite not knowing what their next step would be.

"Right now we're just planning to get through our Armistice Day services," he said.

"Look, I've seen better bloody Viet Cong than him. I would honour and acknowledge VC over him. At least they were fighting for an honour."

Though the brothers had the full support of members two years ago when they stumped up money and saved the club from closing, that support was now gone, former club president Graeme Lowe said last night.

"We were going down fast and there were no lifeboats and the Crows were the one hand that came out to us. We were gobsmacked by their plans so 97 per cent of members were very happy to go ahead with a deal with them," Mr Lowe said.

ACROSS THE FRONT LINES: A LETTER FROM THE CROW BROTHERS

An open letter to the members of the New Plymouth & Districts RSA about the so-called "war" between 435 Devon and the NPRSA.

We are not and never have been "at war" with the NPRSA, its members or the executive committee.

Our displeasure is focused purely on the actions of two people, president Roy Komene and senior-vice Eric (Tex) Schwass. In the week since taking office these two individuals have acted vigorously to frustrate legally binding agreements between 435 Devon and the NPRSA and have attempted to illegally trespass us from our property.

As landlords we have become very concerned that their actions are undoing our 15 months of hard work to return the club to profitability and are thereby seriously jeopardising the ongoing viability of the NPRSA.

Consequently we have become extremely concerned by the RSA's ability to pay us over $46,000 owed for rates, water, insurance etc.

We met yesterday with the CEO of the Royal New Zealand RSA, Dr Stephen Clarke, and have advised him we will not offer any further assistance to the NPRSA whilst these two individuals hold office. We do not trust them.

To reinforce this point, we have today issued trespass notices barring Misters Komene and Schwass from the property at 435 Devon St except the RSA Clubrooms and a pedestrian access strip. These will be enforced.

We have made several offers to Dr Clarke, ranging from maintaining the status quo as voted by the vast majority of the membership two years ago through to "unwinding" the whole deal subject to certain conditions. Discussions are ongoing and we have requested that a special general meeting of members be called so the membership may be fully informed of the situation and can decide how they wish to proceed.

The long-term viability of the NPRSA remains our primary concern.

We apologise to the membership for any confusion or distress recent actions may have caused them.

Regards,

Steve and David Crow.

435 Devon Ltd

- © Fairfax NZ News