[Paddlewise] Important heads-up on GAWTS

Hello friends,

I decided to let the GAWTS invitation message go through followed by 
some background history (the message from GAWTS originally bounced as 
the sender is not a subscriber to either GASP or PaddleWise).  Because
the "organization(s)" has/have asked for money, I believe the following
is important for you to know and because many subscribers on both GASP 
and PaddleWise have already been individually hit with this solicitation
(along with subscribers on *several* other email lists).

Last year an individual sent a query to the GASP(Gulf Area Sea Paddlers) 
email list (to whom I will refer as JM) asking about a paddling association 
in the Louisiana/Mississippi area.  Shortly, he answered his own question 
under another account name he uses (appears to come from a different person).  
How do I know this?  Because JM exchanged private email with me under this 
other account name but using his real signature in his email to me.  

JM made the announcement of a new "organization" called "GAST" - Gulf
Area Sea Trails Association ("a" omitted in acronym) - using his second 
account name.   GAST also used the same PO Box and Fax number as JM's
commercial business he was promoting on GASP and WaveLength, a sea hunting
business selling harpoons, bangs sticks, nets, traps, snares, etc. and 
promoting sea hunting expeditions.  Now, if that's your thing then that's 
your business.  But GASP as well as PaddleWise (and WaveLength) are about 
marine conservation and preservation.  When JM copied the GASP website 
using the GASP logo onto his sea hunting site to the point it was difficult 
to distinguish between the GASP and GAST websites which gave the appearance 
of a strong connection between GASP and GAST, I protested to JM.  The 
commercial site for the sea hunting business was changed.  GAST, btw, 
charged $25 and claimed to include an ACA membership and provide guide 
service for kayakers in the area.  The email address for GAST was 
GASeaTrail_at_AOL.  That email address no longer exists.  Several attempts were 
made to post to the GASP list by "Beatrice Ware" on behalf of GASeaTrail_at_AOL 
but failed because the address was not subscribed to GASP.  Beatrice Ware 
was announcing the association along with its $25 fee which was to include 
membership in the ACA.  I do not know if "Beatrice Ware" is real but I doubt
it because of the numerous other misleading names and messages.

Then the sea hunting business (website) and GAST (email account) disappeared.

Then JM began to announce free copies of the newsletter for GAWTA (Gulf
Area Water Trails Association) but only as a third party and for anyone
requesting info to send email to GAWTA_at_AOL.

That email address is now gone.  

Soon a query came to GASP again about an organization (from someone with 
an AOL account and initials B.W., account name GulfKayak_at_aol.com) to the 
GASP list but it bounced because GulfKayak_at_aol.com was not a subscriber.  
After several failed attempts by B.W. to ask the GASP list about an kayaking 
organization in the LA, MS, AL area, JM forwarded that query which included
his reply/answer which was an introduction to a new organization now named 
GAWTS (Gulf Area Water Trail Society) to the list and it *also* used the same 
PO Box and Fax number as the commercial business, then the GAST organization, 
and was also asking $25/year membership.  This was another AOL account.  
Following that, someone named Beatrice Ware who signed herself as officer 
to GAWTS sent in information to GASP about GAWTS (same contact info as GAST 
and the original sea hunt commercial business).  It bounced as Beatrice
Ware was not subscribed.  Several attempts were made to post the information
to GASP.  JM has attempted to appear unconnected to any of the organizations
and promoted it as a third party.  GAWTS_at_AOL  disappeared shortly afterwards
(along with GulfKayak_at_AOL at the time).

Now maybe this is all legit, but because of the methods used to introduce 
this "organization" and its name changes and because of the original purpose
for the PO Box and FAX number (sea hunting business), I find it highly suspect 
and felt the community should be notified.  I recently discovered that this 
"organization" is listed with Sea Kayaker magazine in the back under lists 
of clubs and organizations.  BTW, I have all emails on file.  

Feel free to pass this on as I know many lists and subscribers have been
hit.  It appears GAWTS has been sending email out to several email lists
and subscribers of those lists.  PaddleWise and GASP have not asked to be
included on GAWTS mailing lists and will not be receiving mailings from 
them.  These messages were allowed through by me deliberately to inform
subscribers of past events and to let you be the judge.  I guess the
message would be... be careful to whom you send your money.  I don't know
if anyone sent money to GAST, GAWTA, or the "other" GAWTS. 

Jackie

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