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Brainerd Int'l Raceway Hosts Memorial Day Carnival and Drag Races
News & Business Editors/Sports Writers
TECUMSEH, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2000
This year's Memorial Day Weekend, The Colonel's International Inc. (Nasdaq:COLO) held its first Memorial Day Weekend event at The Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway, in Brainerd, Minnesota. For the first time in its 31 year history, the raceway hosted the largest carnival in Minnesota featuring rides and a midway at its 800 acre facility in Brainerd. Carnival goers also attended Drag races held on the track throughout the weekend.
Amateur drag racing is one of this country's most popular weekend sports. Tens of thousands of weekend drag racing enthusiasts are members of local clubs which hold regional competitions throughout racing season. The Colonel's BIR championship racecourse is known as the upper midwest's premier motorsports facility. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, 120 miles north of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, facilities include a championship 3 mile race course, 1/4 mile drag strip, 30,000 grandstand seats, private corporate viewing suites, a hospitality area, concession arcades, private garages, electronic scoreboards, control tower, and nearly 550 acres of campgrounds.
In addition to the carnival which is one of Minnesota's largest, this past weekend's four day event included all classes of bucket drag racing such as super comp, stock and super stock, brackets 1 through 3, bike levels 1 and 2 competitions, trophy and junior dragster races. Over 450 drag racers competed for prize money totaling more than $10,000.
According to company Chairman, Donald J. Williamson, of The Colonel's International, "We are looking forward to a great success at the raceway this year. We just kicked off our drag racing season three weeks ago with an extremely popular season opener and are looking forward to another great season of events. This weekend was great fun for many families with the carnival and drag races, and we were pleased with a good turnout from all over the state. We are planning a lot of similar future weekends and anticipate becoming a frequent destination for more sports and entertainment events as we continue to develop our facility."
The Colonel's International, Inc. is a holding company for The Colonel's Truck Accessories, Inc. (CTA), The Colonel's Rugged Liner, Inc. (CRL) and The Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway, Inc. (BIR). CTA manufactures approximately 47 different liners and also manufactures fiberglass tonneau covers for all makes and models of pickup trucks, as well as shells and caps. It currently purchases additional products, such as tool boxes, running boards, tires, wheels, mats, bug shields, visors, grill covers, light covers, trim pieces, running lights and racks for distribution through retail sales and distribution stores. CRL manufactures non-skid bedliners and bed mats, ground lowering kits and a sliding three-piece tonneau cover. Additionally, BIR operates the Brainerd International Raceway and provides spectator events, such as road and drag races, including races for sports cars, motorcycles and go-karts. For more information about the company and its divisions, see its web sites at www.colonelsintl.com; www.brainerdrace.com; www.groundforce.com; or www.ruggedliner.com
The Private Securities Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this Press Release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made) contains statements that are forward looking, such as those relating to consummation of transactions, anticipated future revenues and/or success of current product offerings. Such forward looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements.
For further information, contact Lynne Perlmutter of The Consilium at 305-856-5668.
Citing health reasons, the Mayor of Flint, Michigan, Don Williamson announced Monday at an 11:20 A.M. news conference that he was resigning from office effective Sunday February 15, 2009 at midnight. Williamson, age 75, indicated that he had multiple sinus infections and kidney stones since November 1 and his doctors wanted him to slow down by reducing his schedule.
Genesee County, Michigan (orange).
A number of events has lead to speculation about Williamson's resignation. His interim Police Chief, David Dicks, has been charged with defrauding the United States government stemming from the Federal investigation into his father's security company, City Security, and its contract with Career Alliance in January. Further, a recall election was scheduled for February 24. The snap selection of Michael Brown to be the new Flint City Administrator and his current City Administrator Darryl Buchanan to the non-City Charter position of "deputy mayor" last week Wednesday. Last Thursday a press conference, originally announced to explain the switch in City Administrators and the position of "deputy mayor," was canceled. And finally, on Friday the Interim Police Chief David Forystek was replaced with a new Interim Police Chief, John Keahey. This returned Forystek to department's traffic bureau.  

Over the last weekend, Williamson denied the rumors. Buchanan was at the press conference while Brown did not attend.

Williamson is a multi-millionaire. He is majority stockholder and chairman of the publicly traded The Colonel's International Inc. (Nasdaq:COLO).

Williamson first stepped onto the political field by running for Mayor of Flint in 1991 but failed to get out the primary. In 1999 he lost to Woodrow Stanley in the general election. In 2003 election — the first full term election after the recall of Stanley — Williamson won the office of Mayor, while the city was still under state financial administration, succeeding Mayor James W. Rutherford into office.

In 2007, Williamson won a narrow re-election over Dayne Walling. He was only drawing a US$1 per year salary. A number of problems have cropped up since then including budget deficits, layoffs, and proposed drag strip.

Some leaders in the community that were surprised at his resignation. The ''Flint Journal'' quoted Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton as stating "I'm shocked." While County Sheriff Robert Pickell stated to the ''Journal'' that he was "absolutely shocked that the mayor resigned." Pickel added, that "with Darryl Buchanan working with Mr. Brown, it will be a good team."

City Councilor, and Williamson opponent, Scott Kincaid is quoted by ABC 12 News as stating that this "was a super-fantastic day" for the city of Flint. City Councilor Jackie Poplar said "Hallelujah!" to ABC 12. 

According to the City Charter, Michael Brown as the Flint City Administrator will take over as Temporary Mayor, with no veto nor ability to remove mayorial appointees with out City Council approval. A primary will be scheduled for the May election date and the general election in August for a replacement mayor.

The recall was based on charges that Williamson mishandled city funds and misstated the status of the city's finances. An additional recall charge according to recall supporters was he disregarded public safety by moving to eliminate 59 police officers and nine firefighters.