I too think that we are not seeing anything worse today than what has been seen before and unfortunately, will probably see again. Wherever money is involved, so will people who are willing to do anything to get it.
As far as attendances, I listened to a radio bit today about the current NBA dispute in the US, it spoke of the players wanting more than they currently get whilst the team owners are arguing that falling attendances make it necessary that the players accept less. So harness racing isn't the only sport that is being plagued by non attendance at regular meetings. Nowadays it would be only the exceptional event or horses that will make people want to go to a track, the Trots is no longer the only place to be on a Sat night in the bush or a Friday in the Sydney area, or whatever night a particular club may have ran their meetings on back in the heyday of oncourse attendance.
I spoke with a fellow today who would probably talk to more participants in a week than I do in a year and his words were very comforting, that 95% of people in the game are good and honest and that the 5% who aren't should be weeded out and thrown out with the rubbish was the general consensus he felt amongst people. I agree wholeheartedly, with only one caution, continue to be on guard as once the current bad apples are shown the door the next lot will sneak in looking to pick up where they left off!