FROM THE EDITOR
Take time to meet
your elected officials
I
t's been said so many times before thatmostofyou
I remember last year at the AMOA reception, a pro-
are probably wondering why I would devote the minent senator walked in the door and asked, "Now
space to talk about it yet again. Contacting your just what do you do with these machines?'' Of course,
elected representatives has been suggested on more there was an industry spokesman just itching to tell
than one occasion and seems to be in the same category him and to explain the foundations of the coin-op
as Ann Landers advising a reader to get counseling. entertainment industry.
We have a year until the next scheduled Govern-
It sounds like good advice, but it's probably not taken
ment Affairs Conference, but it's never too early to
that seriously all of the time.
The Amusement and Music Operators Association make the decision to be a part of it. The momentum
sponsored its Washington Conference last month, and of the event is overwhelming and should become even
the American Amusement Manufacturers Association more significant each year. If you are planning to go,
met in the Capitol in May. Of course, for the past three get in touch with other operators in your state so you
years the two groups converged on D.C. at the same can meet with your representatives together . Make a
time for a joint effort, but it was not to be this year. lasting impression. One senator we met with should
That's another story, however, but I would like to say have a lasting impression of 10 coin-op people com-
that I hope both groups will be able to get together next ing into his office to thank him for his support!
When anti-industry legislation pops up, I am feel-
year.
While Bonnie Theard , our managing editor , ing more confident that those congressmen who have
covered the AMOA event, Carol Lally and I were in been exposed to the industry will think twice about
Washington when AAMA members met with their supporting that legislation. But we need to show a
representatives. I was impressed. We followed some united front, and show that we are a force to be reckon-
of the AAMA members around to various meetings ed with. We can only do it together, and maybe that's
and I can only say that a personal meeting is the best what it's all about: an industry working together to
way to reinforce and strengthen any position. The ma- generate the strength needed to continue being an
jor focus, of course, was the dollar coin legislation. industry.
I'm excited about next year. Like I mentioned
The association can proudly say that it collectively got
several senators and various representatives to agree before, I hope it will be both associations showing that
united front. But, either way, whether separately or
to support the bill.
Our industry is notorious for being in the direct line together, both AMOA and AAMA are devoting time
of fire when it comes to detrimental legislation. We and effort to show Congress what our industry is really
all owe it to ourselves and to our industry to continue all about. Be there! 0
to meet with our representatives to talk about our in-
dustry. We have to let them know that we are a viable
industry supplying jobs and revenue to states and
cities. The officials are not always aware of just what
our industry is all about and no one can explain it like
Valerie Cognevich
those that love it and want to see it thrive.
Editor
10 PLAY METER/ July 1989