Loss of Flying Site

[Terry Terrenoire]

to all who get this:

PLEASE read the following and do what you feel is right.
I know that a few years ago, when the FCC was considering some drastic
measures, AMA sent out similar notices.
The AMA members flooded Washington with so many letters that they
actually call AMA to "call off the dogs".
They got the message, and the changes were dropped!
If enough of us from around the country flood them with NICE letters,
maybe they will get the point! And we can help to save this site!

Terry T.

On Tue, 4 Mar 2003 20:14:28 -0500 "Red Scholefield"
<redscho at bellsouth.net> writes:
> The Tricounty R/C Club (Dunnellon FL) needs our help! If you are a 
> Florida
> resident please write or call your representative about this. 
> Destroying a
> fine facility, developed and paid for out of modelers own pockets 
> and
> maintained at no cost to the state for a TRAIL HEAD "some day" is 
> ludicrous
> at best, criminal at the worse, particularly in a time when state 
> funds are
> tight. It would seem that a trailhead could be located elsewhere or 
> even
> share the parking space with the Tricounty R/C Club.
> 
> Red Scholefield AMA 951
> Flying Gators Inc., GNV FL
> 
> 
> From: "Dave Small" <dgsmall at tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <undisclosed-recipients at ms-smtp-03.tampabay.rr.com>
> Subject: Lease with Greenways
> Date: Monday, March 03, 2003 10:58 PM
> 
> Dear Fellow Tricounty R/C Member:
> 
>      As you all know we lease our field from the Florida Department 
> of
> Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails.
>      The lease is annual, and runs from June 30th to June 30th. The 
> board
> has been trying to negotiate longer terms for a number of years 
> without any
> success.
>      last week, Wednesday February 26th, the board arranged a 
> meeting with
> their representative concerning next years lease, and the 
> possibility of
> extending it for a five year period.
>      The Greenways representative told the board that he not only 
> would not
> extend, but he would not renew the annual lease. He informed the 
> board that
> we would have to vacate the property by June 30th as they planned to 
> utilize
> it as a trail head in future years.
>      This is the first indication we have had that they would not 
> let us
> remain on the site, so the members present asked about 
> alternatives.
>      He stated that he had a site that the club could consider, 
> which they
> investigated and found totally unsuitable. He also said he would see 
> what he
> could do about an extension on our lease for perhaps 6 months. But a 
> new
> lease would not be considered.
>      Naturally this was the primary discussion at our monthly 
> meeting, which
> was tonight, March 3rd.
>      We all are aware of the amount of work, and dollars that we 
> have in the
> flying site. We are also aware that we are leasing at the discretion 
> of the
> state of Florida.
>      I was not here when the field was first built, but I do know 
> that the
> department of Greenways was always informed when we did something 
> major. An
> example being the driveway we rebuilt when we were concerned about 
> erosion ,
> that single project cost around $4000. The project had their 
> blessings, and
> assurances that the lease would not be a problem.
>      The membership present decided on a course of action to try and 
> save
> the field, first we will try to negotiate in good faith with the 
> departments
> representative. Second, as most of us feel this is a dead end, 
> inform our
> elected officials of what is happening to us, and ask why we cannot 
> coexist
> with their future plans.
>      This is where you come in.
>      We need to get as many letters, and e-mails to our elected 
> officials as
> possible explaining our plight, and requesting their assistance in 
> saving
> the field.
>      Explain to them that we are a club of about 120 people that are 
> also
> citizens of the area. One of our goals being to be a good neighbor. 
> We
> maintain the property to park like standards, and participate in 
> various
> area projects. We do not understand why we cannot be part of any 
> future
> plans for the location. Space does not appear to be a problem, they 
> just
> seem to want us gone.
>      We not only use the field for our own recreation, but also 
> introduce
> our hobby/sport to others. The aeronautical program with the 
> Inverness
> middle school is a good example, a number of our members work with 
> students
> building aircraft that they have the opportunity to fly with our 
> instructors
> each semester, in fact you might invite them to come out to the 
> field April
> 9th, the day the school kids fly with club instructors.
>      Another good example is our annual fly in for the toys for tots 
> program
> that we assist the Dunnellon fire department with. Last Christmas 
> we
> collected, wrapped, and helped distribute many toys at the 
> departments
> annual party for the needy children of the area.
>      Listed below are the addresses for our state representatives, 
> and our
> state senator.
>      Write them as soon as possible, and express our concerns. 
> Please be
> polite, don't insult anyone, just let them know your feelings on 
> our
> situation.
>      Remember this is very important to all of us, if we don't speak 
> now we
> will lose the field for sure!
> 
>      Dave Small
>      Tri County Recorder editor
>       dgsmall at tampabay.rr.com
> 
> 
> Senator Nancy Argenziano
> The Capitol
> Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
> (850) 487-5017, Tallahassee
> (352) 860-5175, Crystal River
> argenziano.nancy.web at flsenate.gov
> 
> The Honorable Charles S. Dean Sr.
> Florida House of Representitives
> The Capitol
> Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
> (850) 488-0805, Tallahassee
> (352) 860-5160, Inverness
> dean.charles at myfloridahouse.com
> 
> 
> The Honorable Larry Cretul
> 6333 S W SR 200
> Ste. 103
> Ocala, FL 34476
> CRETUL.LARRY at myfloridahouse.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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