[Christina]

Okay, I'll tell you what I know, but I'm not sure if I'm at liberty to tell you *everything* that I know. I am on the Long Island FIRST Regional Development Committee as well as the Board of directors of SBPLI (School Business Partnerships of LI). I talk to Fred Breithut all the time. And, to be totally honest, we're having *serious* problems funding out regional. And, I do believe we are at the point where we can say the regional is in jeopardy. We need about $200,000 to get the regional, and this is for a minimal, bare bones regional. As of right now, we have $65,000. Yeah, we're in *lots* of trouble. We've had a lot of companies (ie Computer Associates and Nortel Networks, to name a couple) pull out this year because of the economy. Computer Associates was the second largest contributer to FIRST teams behind NASA. Fred Breithut isn't one to beg for money. This year though, he has to. Which is why I believe that got out into the press, we *need* the money. And, I'm assuming he did that to try to get some kind of recognition in hopes that someone will donate to us. But, all that was said is true, so I'm not sure if you can really call it underhanded. At least, no more underhanded than advertising for a company or charity event. We're very very behind comparitively to what we were doing last year. I hate to say it, but there is the possibility that LI may not be able to host a regional. And I really hope it doesn't come down to that. But, we're definitely in trouble. I don't really want to worry everyone about it, but since it was brought up, I might as well put in what I know. I'm really hoping we get some sponsors and quick, 'cause I'll be very upset if the LI Regional doesn't happen.

~Christina