Have you seen the series of Geico Insurance commercials?  If so,
you'll understand the reference as you read on.

        A couple months back I got a great job offer to go to work for
Volvo IT (www.volvoit.com).  It was a wonderful step forward in every
possible way (career, financial, vacation, holidays, etc.).  As I got
further into the job I began to realize that it was not practical to
continue maintaining Tech Group.  I would not have any time to do Tech
Group work.  It would simply because a financial drain, i.e., taxes,
accounting fees, etc.  I talked with my accountant and made the decision
that the best time to shutdown Tech Group was prior to the start of
2004, because of tax reasons.  An unfortunate side effect of all of
these changes is that I no longer qualify to be a member of the OpenMPE
Board of Directors :(

        So, it is with deep mixed emotions that I must announce my
resignation from the OpenMPE Board of Directors, effective the end of
business on Wednesday, December 31st, 2003.  I have enjoyed my time on
the board very much and hope and wish OpenMPE the best of luck going
forward.  I will continue to watch from a distance.  To all of my
friends in the OpenMPE community, hang in there.  I will miss you all
greatly and hope to continue individual contact as time permits.

Sincerely,
    Jonathan (Jon) M. Backus
    15 Catawba Place ~ Hagerstown, MD ~ 21742-6515
    Email: [log in to unmask] ~ AIM: JMBackus
    Phone: 301.714.0446 ~ Fax: 301.714.1854