JorLRice
Posts: 12
Joined: 1/3/2003
From: Universal City,
TX, USA
Status: offline
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To E3Drvr: Thanks for trying to defend me but I am able to do that for myself Captain. I will give you the same advice I have given local friends and strong supporters. This is only the beginning and if I am elected it will get worse. There will always be criticism regardless of your actions or intentions. We all need to get thick skinned and be prepared to accept the fact that seldom will everyone agree on anything and each is entitled to his or her opinion. There are those who will support me when I am wrong because they feel the need to; and there are those who will disagree when I am right because they feel the need to. I know that these facts come with the territory. Unfortunately, the position is volunteer so that is not why you get the big bucks.
To all: I have watched this issue develop and die several times on this forum. I hoped that it would die and let things take a natural course but now feel compelled to make a statement. I do not want to, and I will not, defend what I say today for the next 2 months or write more input every night to satisfy everyone's curiosity. Please know that I will read what you post after mine, but will not respond here again. I have a business to run, good honest work to do, and a family to love. Time just simply does not permit that I do those as well as I should/must and keep answering questions here.
I am a dedicated, life long modeler who has little time to spare but a desire to serve the AMA and this District on a higher level. I have no axes to grind with anyone at AMA HQ or on the EC. I have some ideas about things I would like to improve but I lack the knowledge of the inner workings of the Executive Council so I am unsure as to what I can influence or do. Only time and actual experience on council will prove my effectiveness there. The same will hold true for any of the three candidates that will appear on this fall's election ballot. Therefore, I am making no campaign promises that I have no idea whether I can fulfill. I am not a politician and don't really want to be. Horace has the experience and knowledge of the operation of the EC and, at this point, can offer a better insight as to what power, if any a VP has. Regardless, no one EC member vote carries any more weight than any of the other 12. My intention, as I told Tony (Whynot) is to get elected, learn the job and see how I can influence things positively across the district and the AMA. I do not have all of the answers, and for that matter, I don't even know what all of the questions are. I am trainable; I am a quick study; and I am a volunteer to do it for the District. I expect that much the same as a head football coach in the NFL, I will need help and will seek input from throughout the district to advise and assist me in the position IF I am fortunate enough to be elected.
I am really interested in trying to grow youth membership and overall membership as well. I don't have a perfect plan but would like to see more club flying days for youth groups such as scouts or after school clubs. Maybe try to provide trainer aircraft and videos for use by the local club during these activities. I have done several school classes, demonstrating indoor RC, building AMA Cub rubber powered airplanes and giving talks. Aviation explorers are a good place to capture youngsters who have already shown an interest in aviation.
I think we need to get our arms around the huge Park Flyer group that is currently flying all over the country and, for the most part, are not AMA members. Their activities influence public opinion about our hobby and can affect our future attempts with local officials and land owners to obtain or retain sanctioned flying sites. How to do that is currently beyond me, but I am willing to get into it and exchange ideas inside and outside the AMA to try to figure out how to capture this new and growing piece of our hobby that is mainly operating outside of our organization.
I accepted the position of Safety Coordinator for the district because I believe safety is more important than any other thing in the continuation of our hobby. The monthly safety note that I write is available for viewing on the DVIII web site.
http://www.ama-dist-8.org/Safety/index.html
I promise nothing other than my commitment to the District and my personal attempt to represent the heart and soul of our membership. I intend to earn your trust and confidence and will seek input to help develop and resolve issues.
BTW, I am a retired Army, not Air Force, Colonel but I did attend the US Air Force Air War College in Montgomery, Al. While some were flying the same routes in and out of Vietnam, I was an Infantryman on the ground wishing I was up there in the clouds.
I have refused to enter this forum because I firmly believe that the best that can happen is that you don't look totally ignorant to everyone, and the worst is that everyone picks at your every word and thought until you do look totally ignorant. I believe all 3 of your candidates for VP are qualified for the position and each brings a different perspective to the position....None would do it the same and likely none would be wrong--Just Different. We are all 3 volunteers and are hoping to serve the District and AMA in important ways. None of us needs the job and, I for one, am going to have to make sacrifices in business and family to do the job the way I think it should be done. Traveling to events every month may adversely affect my business but I don't think it can damage my marriage of 36 years. However, I am still willing to serve. Please give all 3 candidates a serious look, call or email the candidates and get a feel for them. Then vote and encourage all around you to vote. Too few vote in the AMA and it is a serious decision affecting our 5 state district for the next 3 years. If you can't run for the office then at least decide who is going to serve in it.
Thanks for your time! See you on the Flight Line!!!
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> AMA Discussions >> RE: District 8 VP election - Who are the guys running??? 
RE: District 8 VP election - Who are the guys running??? - 
RE: District 8 VP election - Who are the guys running??? - 
Status quo is clearly a downhill path, and I think you know that. 
but after reading Jim's post and his Safety notes on AMA DIII web site I can not find anything other than an honest and sincere desire for a safe hobby. I found nothing to indicate neither the “Barney Fife” syndrome nor anything that appears self-important. I don't feel from what I read he will be the type to compete for the rule of the month award but will take every opportunity to instill common sense wherever possible. As for as other aspects of the DVP position, he laid that out as I truly believe it to be. In this instance, right now, I don't perceive Jim as the status quo. He is on top for my vote.
