Dennis,

I felt exactly the same way that you did a couple days ago about Mr. McNeil until I received a phone call from him at my home. He was nice to you on the telephone today because you were ordering a scanner and that was all. He has denied the use of these scanners, which are AMA owned **safety** equipment to people that he sees as **political** opposition to his hold on the District V seat. He admitted directly to me that he fired Tony Stillman because he ran against him for HIS office, not becasue he did anything wrong as Frequency Coordinator. I couldn't believe the desperation and venom I heard in this man's voice as he talked about Red Scholefield and Tony Stillman to me. Realize that he wouldn't recognize me if I walked up and introduced myself. It would be painfully obvious to anyone who talks with this man about AMA business and his handling of affairs in District V that he is holding on for personal reasons, not to serve the modellers that pay dues into his AMA budget fund.
I have no axe to grind with this man. I have never met him personally. However, in 30 minutes of telephone conversation he did the best job of convincing me that we desperately need new leadership and custodianship of our AMA business in our District.
As far as Mr. McNeil being able to defend himself, I challenge you to call him again and ask the same questions that I asked him in an earlier post.

1) What did Tony Stillman do wrong in the position of Frequency Coordinator that you removed him from his post??
2) What previous job experience or training do you have that qualifies you to assist clubs resolve safety issues regarding Radio Control? How does your experience and training compare to the person you replaced as Frequency Coordinator?
3) What aeromodelling activities do you participate in on a regular basis?? (Notice I didn't ask you to ask him about radio control - just ANY modelling activitity; RC,CL,FF, or even paper airplanes)

These are all valid and appropriate questions to ask your elected representative who has the use of your dues dollars and is your link to the national organization.

As far as this thread getting negative, I have to agree with you there. The sad part is that the number of people with negative reactions from Mr. McNeil is growing!! All you have to do is challenge his handling of YOUR district's business in the slightest way and he cuts loose on total strangers with threats and warnings. So many people are venting their frustration with him because there is truly a problem and we cannot do anything about it until the next election.

We need to change our energies from talking about the problem, to talking about the solution. People on the outside of this will only listen to so much negative chatter before they tune out.

I am going to send an e-mail to Tony Stillman inviting him to begin participating in these discussions on RCU. Once we start talking about the future, we can change the tone of these threads to where they need to be to attract the voters.

And our McNinny apologist weighs in...

Vince, Tony is an individual and not an "erected" AMA official. We are individuals all expressing our opinions about the continued leadership deficit in this district. As we all have the right to.

Since you are evidently buddies with McNeillll, why do you not get our erected AMA official to comment on OUR concerns about his incompetent handling of frequency control in this district, as well as several other issues?

DO IT.

Tony Stillman runs a full time R/C Service shop operation.

E-mail Address(es): [email protected]

I'm sure he would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

The election is not until 2004. In early 2004 you will hear his position on what he sees as the needs for District V and the duties of the elected Vice President just as he did in the last election. His views were published in Model Aviation at the time.

You will also find him at many R/C events in District V, stop by and chat with him at the Perry show.

Meanwhile we would like to hear from Mr. McNeill, publically answering the many questions that pertain to his handling of the affairs and running of the District.

Red S.
AMA 951 D-V

.

You haven't gotten it yet, so don't count your eggs. And since you are not on his sh*t list, you may get even get it. I sure he'll now be on his best, very best and very very best behavior to make sure that the equipment is sent out.

He has the right, and indeed the responsibility, to address these concerns brought up by his consituents. All he has to do is join RCU.

So would Mr. McNeill.

On the other-hand he has all the resources to defend him self one could possibly imagine, including this forum, the ama district V e-mail list which he refuses to even acknowledge, his own District V web site paid for by your AMA dues, and his monthly District report in Model Aviation - paid for by your AMA dues.

Perhaps the reason you think he cannot defend himself is valid. He has no defense other than the inertia of the membership to learn the issues, how he has performed and then do something about it. That he is counting on to keep him in office.

Red S. AM A 951
Leader Member/CD
District V

Hi, everyone! Keith asked me to jump in here and let you guys know that I am throwing my hat in the ring for AMA District 5 VP for 2005.

The election will actually take place in the fall/winter of 2004. I ran last time, and ended up 80 votes short. I had a lot of support from many, many people who worked hard to get my name out. The biggest problem is voter apathy. This is the case in even National elections! Many don't have any idea what the VP's job even is! Some actually think it is to go around and take pictures of the "Very Important" club members and put them in the VP column of Model Aviation. Sure, getting members pictures is a good thing, and I would continue to do that, but actually sitting in on Executive Council meeting and making AMA policy is the REAL JOB!

I know many are not happy with the increase of dues, and want real answers as to why. Some have even had to go outside the district to get answers for other AMA VP's as our's seems to be unavailable to the membership.

I am announcing officially my intent to run here on R/C Universe! I will have a booth at the Southeastern Modelers Show in Perry, GA. I hope many of you will come by and introduce yourself. I would be HONORED to hear from you, and happy to answer any questions as to what my vision for our District is.

Thanks!

It is refreshing to see someone interested in the office of AMA VP for District V step forward and open himself up to questions from the membership on this forum.

I hope that the incumbent will avail himself of this forum also to address issues of concern from the membership.


Perhaps some that have some influence with him might try and persuade him to participate.

Or if he is not comfortable with doing this how about one or more of his appointed AVPs jumping in for him?

Unfortunately only two of his AVPs have e-mail addresses published in any AMA media. None have mailing addresses so you will have to call them on the numbers listed below taken from the AMA web page under contact officers in
found in AMA under executive council.

Lets start with the two that have e-mails listed and see if they can help.

Malcolm Boartfield
Marietta GA (770) 977-4126
[email protected]

Bud W. Williams
Gray TN (423) 477-0772
[email protected]

James Alvis
Jackson MS (601) 956-4978

Ron Chidgey
Pensacola FL (850) 476-8639

Curt Contrata
Davie FL (954) 475-8187

Rod Gier
Cocoa FL (321) 636-2148

Michael Gregory
Greenville SC (864) 244-8660

Louise Izzo
Wintersprings FL (407) 699-4929

Richard Jackson
Charleston SC (843) 744-4575

Bob Laine
Loganville GA (770) 466-5336

Joseph Micalizzi
Fajardo PR (787) 863-9163

Fred Mulholland
Tampa FL (813) 962-7020

George Perryman
Smyrna GA (770) 436-6001

Nancy Riley
Lake Placid FL (863) 699-1215

Melvin Sires
Aiken SC (803) 649-4073

Jim Stewart
Gardendale AL (205) 631-6968

Ward Van Duzer
Gainesville GA (770) 718-0122

Lee Webster
Manchester TN (615) 728-3283

One wonders why District V AVPs are not listed like they are on the District reports in MA - most with mailing, telephone and e-mail. Look at the District reports - why is District V different? Why are not all the listings the same? Why are they not all modeled after D-II, III, IV and VII - with ALL the contact information listed?

Why?????

Red S.
AMA 951
District V - where the VP has serviced the members the longest.

I heard a lot about Mr Stillman, but his words were no where to be found. Thought it was time "HE" spoke up. You and Red say he can walk on water, wanted to hear it from him. Your continued problem is the "negativeness" of your attitude, your posts, flaming and your personal attacks in general. Not a good reflection on you. You can do all the same things you want, not using these negative traits you seem to favor. Wonder why you choose this method over the more positive method. You can't change the way its right now, you can change it at the next election. All you and reds diatribes do is reflect poorly on you and your character as a person/modeler. But you seem unable to do a little self assesment of your methods, and choose the higher ground, old dog can't learn new tricks ?

Vince AMA 7051

Vince, did you not read post #31 in this thread from Tony Stillman. Niether Kieth or I made any statements regarding Tony Stillman walking on water. All you have to do is compare the background and resumes of the two individuals. Why, rather than shoot at the messengers, don't you post some positive things regarding Mr. McNeill. Why should he be retained in office? What has he done to promote model aviation in District V? Why doesn't he respond in kind to the questions posted here?

Just compare the two statements from the last campaign.

Stillman:

I became involved with Radio Control modeling at the age of fourteen. That is the key word when considering my qualifications for the office of Vice President for District V: INVOLVED. From 1971 when I joined AMA and my local club, Northwest Florida Modelers, Inc., I have been directly involved with both my local club and the national organization.

Member of Northwest Florida Modelers, Inc. and AMA since 1971
Served in every office of my local club, and am currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer
Contest Director since 1974
Pattern Event Director for NATS - 1992, 1993
Contest Director for World Championships - 1983, 1999
Team Manager for USA F3A World Championship Pattern Team - 1993, 1995, 1997
SRCA District Vice President - 1992 through 1993
NSRCA President - 1994 through 1997

I have flown free flight, helicopters, scale, giant scale, pattern, IMAC, sailplanes, R/C assist old timers, and even some pylon racing and combat. Though my own personal first love is Pattern, I am an advocate for all types of modeling, as they are all a part of model aviation.

District V has so much to offer AMA.. We have some of the best builders, pilots, clubs and flying sites in the entire United States. My Associate Vice Presidents, who will be active modelers, and I will listen to your concerns and see that your voices are heard in Muncie.

My background in modeling, along with my career in the hobby industry, gives me unique insight into many areas that need attention within AMA. Please support me this fall when you receive your ballot. Help me to help YOU. Together, we can make a change for the better in our District and in the AMA itself!

McNeill

From mailings to District V members and from ad to appear in Model Aviation, November 01

“If I am reelected, I will continue to do just exactly what I have been doing.”
AMA Life Member (L-2)
AMA Fellow
AMA Historian Emeritus
27 years on the AMA Council.
Former AMA Secretary Treasurer (10 yrs)
Co-founder of AMA's Life Member numbering system.
Co-founder with John Worth of AMA's National Newsletter
Sole Editor of the AMA Nat'l Newsletter for many years.
Current serving Officer of I.M.A.A. Assistant Director under Rod Gier
LIFE Member if I.M.A.A.
Life Member of N.F.F.S. (Nat'l Free Flight Society)
Honorary Life Member of S.A.M. (Society of Antique Modelers)
Life Member of the Birmingham RC Assoc'n.
Honorary Member of the BAMA Flyers. (Birmingham Aeromodeling Assn)

**********

Red S.
AMA 951
District V - there is a choice - make it!

You will do Mr Stillman a big favor, if you and Bill let him talk for himself. The more you and Bill postulate and Pontificate negatively in these forums, the less credibilty he will have in peoples eye's. You and Bill are so rabid in your posts, you lose the support of main stream AMA types. Think about it.

Vince AMA 7051

Vince

I have told Red the same thing, in the past. I watched as McNeill won again. I am not sure,anymore,how you take the "high ground" and do not point out the failings of the individual. The key is to get the word out to those that are not aware. Those of us that do know the facts get tired of hearing it. Not just in this election, but, in any election where the record of the incumbent is less that exemplary.

If you read the post that I put up from Dave Brown, even he, admits that McNeill knew little of the position he was holding when he was Sec/Treas of the AMA.... This has been going on for a lot of years. After watching McNeill, I am not sure that he couldn't get himself elected as President of the country. As Horrace said, his hat is quite deep and he continues to pull rabbits out.

I watched Frank Tiano try to address questions on the internet. After being hammered by less than intelligent individuals making less than intelligent remarks, he walked away. I suspect that Tony Stillman is not superhuman either. In the meantime Tony is here, so.... Vince, where is Jim?

Vince, let me ask you this: How would you get the facts out to the D 5 membership? Apparently things like signs and internet sites are dirty. What isn't?

JR
AMA 732

Go to the AMA site, print out a list of all the Clubs in you District. Then put togther a "well thought out, positive brochure" and mail it to all the clubs asking for there input on your current stated position about the current District VP. Be prepared for the results, remember the old saying, "Watch out what you ask for, you might get it". As always, this takes alot of work and costs some money. The trick is getting the people that talk to work also. That would be my plan of action, its also a reality check for the credibility of your stated position.

Vince AMA 7051

Vince

The reality is that only a small percentage of the membership votes. Take a look at the hit numbers on threads in this forum. If you take out the number of repeats from the folks that post, it is hard to make a case for more than about 200 people even looking at this forum. That's out of 26,000 or so RCU members.

In the last D5 election, only about 25% of the eligible members voted. That was probably the most contested District election in a long time.

I belong to a club that is, admittedly, laid back, and non-political, where the AMA is concerned. I can assure you that if a mailer was sent to the club, it would never get past the person picking up the mail. Into the round file with it.

From what I can see, the only way to raise awareness is to visit clubs and their events, as well as trying to pick up a stray vote on the net now and again. Apparently, Jim McNeill feels that doing so is "dirty politics".

The only hope a non-incumbent has is to have the word spread and passed on by word of mouth.

In "our world" of the AMA, the incumbent has an almost insurmountable advantage.

Are you sure we should not put Mr. McNeill's picture in color in his column?

Now, two questions from the previous posts. First: What is my stated position? Do you mean my assertion that McNeill should be replaced? and secondly: Where is he? Have you contacted him and urged him to participate in this forum?

JR

JR

You can't, and I wont take your/or their stated reasons for not trying as plausable. At some point you have to make the effort, "No change without effort". It just becomes so much whining, flaming and rhetoric. If 25% vote, you need to communicate with the voters, plain and simple. Incumbents have and will continue to lose elections, just takes someone making an effort, you know like in national elections ! Jesse Ventura (The Wrestler) got elected didn't he ?! Not sure of your position but Red and Bills is clear. As for JM its his choice, Im not sure I would legitimize Reds or Bills flaming comments by answering them here in a forum like this, that is demonstrably "ANTI AMA" in just about all its posts. Heck even the the owner of this site seems ANTI AMA in his comments and views. Again "No effort No Gain", plain and simple. Back to ya.

Vince

Vince,

You are absolutely correct!! I have to agree with you that the flaming and negative posts are the worst things we can do.

I also agree with your idea that voter communication and education will be the keys to changing the current regime in District V. That will have to be done one newbie at a time at fly-ins across the south, and we have this summer and next to get the job done. Put "Vote Stillman" in Monokote on the wings of your airplane, have a stack of Stillman flyers in your field box, and go to as many fly-ins as possible. Walk up to every newbie you see and offer to help tune that OS .40 LA, then hand him a flier. If the CD allows, put up a sign of some kind. If Mr. McNeil's supporters decide to tear it down, stand there smiling and let them. . . and hand out more flyers while they do it to the people who watch.

You're absolutely right, Vince, this will take time, money and organization but it is not impossible.

Vince

What Klhord posted is exactly right. My only point is that the type of effort that he describes will be called "dirty politics" by the D5 incumbent.

At the same time, Red and a few others will receive labels that they are willing to be tagged with to achieve the goal. So be it.

Personally, I don't see a statement that is factual as a flame. I do have a problem with statements about the expense money since there are no facts to back up the allegations. There are enough facts that are unquestionably true that it is unnecessary to speculate about others.... at least in my opinion.

JR

I have just recently been made aware of this problem. Having read all the responses and given a few moments to reflect I would like to reply.

Yes, I think that a frequency co-ordinator is very crucial to the district. This individual should be knowledgeable about the causes, effects and cures for frequency problems and be able to advise clubs/individuals that are having problems.

As for Mr. McNeil, I think a lot of what we are reading is personal animosities coming out. I have met Mr. McNeil on one occasion when he showed up at our field in Eutawville, SC. Our meeting was brief and very impersonal. I have no animosities toward him nor any feelings of support. I have witnesed strong emotional subjects in the past that have caused clubs to lose a lot of members that either formad a new club or gotten out of the hobby. A strong emotional subject can be very distructive to our sport.

Perhaps what we need to do is to find an impartial individual to approach Mr. McNeil in a non-confrontational manner and see if this problem can be solved in a satisfactory manner! *****ing about it is not solving the problem. Attacking Mr. McNeil also won't solve it. Think about it, I'm certain we have a LOT of good folks out there in district V that could get this problem handled in a proper manner.

As for Mr. McNeil as District V VP, if the majority of members do not support him, the answer is simple. VOTE him out at the next election. Get the membership to vote! Run a good, highly qualified candidate. If the voters put Mr. McNeil back in, then so be it!

Bob Mason
AMA 2640, District V
CD

As many of you know from last time, I was able to raise a little bit of money in order to do some advertising. We purchased two banners that were sent around the district to AMA members who took the initiative to ask for them, and then go out and be vocal for a change in our District. I applaud them for their hard work. These guys are really the unsung heroes!

Even though we didn't win, we woke some people up! I think we have a great chance to win this time.

Money... Yes, we mailed out a flier to clubs and members last year. I had a supporter donate $1500.00 for this and he did all the work of putting them in envelopes and mailing them out! That was not enough to get to everyone, but some did get them. We then decided to put a couple of full page adds in Model Aviation. Jim got VERY angry about this, as I received a phone call from some of the Model Aviation Staff that he wanted the add removed, or he demanded that they GIVE him the same space for free! After it was all done, even the people at Model Aviation were hoping he would be defeated! Jim really gave them a hard time about the add, and he would not understand that it was a business transaction as far as they were concerned.

I would LOVE to be able to raise about $10,000.00 so that I can send a letter to every AMA member in District V! (Heck, just the postage alone is $9,250.00 for 25,000 members)! The "professional" people tell me that I really need THREE mailings to do a good job. Well, I don't think I'll raise THAT much money..........

I plan on doing just what Keith and others are saying. Passing out my fliers at meets, swap meets, club meetings, and such. I will also ask for help from others to do the same at their area. If every person would take on the task of enlightening their OWN CLUB, that would do it! Just think, only about 5,000 total votes were cast last time. My club has 200 members. If we get 25 similar size clubs to vote for me, that would be 5,000! I realize that no club, not even my own, will all vote for me, but the point is that we CAN go out and make a difference.

I will try to monitor this list as much as possible to answer questions, but feel FREE to e-mail me ANYTIME about ANY QUESTION you have for me!

The job of District VP is much, MUCH more than that of a photographer! Sitting on the EC and setting policy is something that we should NOT take lightly! Right now, according to two current EC members, we have THREE VP's that fall asleep during EC meetings! Ours is one of them! Come on, we can do better than that.

"Leadership, not Incumbency

Wonderful Idea Bob were it not for the fact that such has already been suggested to Mr. McNeill by a number of people - who he immediately puts into the confrontational pocket in his head. If I am not mistaken he has even had suggestions from other EC members and the President of the AMA.

But this is no reason not to keep trying. How about it Vince, you seem to be impartial and non-confrontational to Mr. McNeill. Have you asked him about appointing a Frequency Coordinator and perhaps rethink the ability of some of his AVPs to perform the duties outlined in the membership manual for an AVP?

Red S.
AMA 951
Leader Member
District V - and working to make D-V all it can be.

I am neither flaming nor personally attacking your candiate; just presenting the facts as I have seen them. Your response was as anticipated.

Neither my nor Red's comments have ever been ANTI-AMA. We love the AMA and want what is best for the AMA. Clearly, McNeill is not good for the AMA.

Reiterating a couple of requests made to you:




And, as another aeromodeller noted:

Brief and impersonal is how ncneill's meets usually go. He breezes through, takes a few snaps of important, very important and very, very important people and is gone.

My sig line says it all....

Bob, lets see if we can spell it out for you. The present election system is stacked heavily in favor of the incumbent. He is automatically on the ballot, no nomination is required. The only way he can be kept off the ballot is by a 3/4 vote of the EC and that just will not happen. I'll leave it to others to speculate on the reason.

1) The incumbent has 36 issues of Model Aviation in which to campaign and extol his good deeds,

2) The incumbent has a travel allowance that enables him to visit many events and clubs through the term of his office.

3) The present voting system can be manipulated by adding a 3rd candidates to any ballot where there might be a question of being able to win a majority.

This was done in the last two elections for District V. Neither of the "spoiler" candidates had the slightest interest in being elected as VP. Zero campaigning = zero interest.

It might be an education just to see how the voting has gone in D-V for the past 10 years or so.

2001
Jim McNeill 2065
Manny Sousa 804 (Glowing write-up in MA and club awarded club of the month)
Tony Stillman 1985 (Fired as frequency coordinator for running against McNeill)
Total 4854
Note: 10,000 ballots sent to wrong address and were destroyed in Muncie

1998
Jim McNeill 1,819
Jim Weems 343 (Later made AVP by McNeill)
Norm Deputy 754 (Club threatened with event to compete with his Perry show)
Total 2,993

1995
Jim McNeill 1640
Others 49
Invalid 288
Total 1977

1992
Jim McNeill 1905
Jerry Festa 1234
Write-in candidates 7
Total 3146

1989
Jim McNeill 1,476
Russell Timmons, Jr 715
Write-in candidates 3
Total 2,194

You can see McNeill's base has eroded and in 2001 he won only by a very slim plurality. Things are getting tighter - what rabbits will he pull out of his political hat to relieve the pressure? Or will he begin to listen and clean up his act?

If the members don't see a pattern here and get on the band wagon and become informed they will have to live with the embarrassment . . . Ask yourself why the incumbent, in spite of the obvious advantage he has, is steadily losing ground to the point of where he had less than 43% of the vote in the last election - we have to ask ourselves why. Why after 27 years on the EC is his power beginning to crumble? Maybe some people are reading the AMA EC meeting minutes and the failed motions put forth by Mr. McNeill, maybe some are noting the time spent in visits to their events, maybe some are noticing the lack of any participation by his appointed AVPs in the business of the District, maybe they are embarrassed by the sophomoric content of his District Column and web page, maybe they are waking up at last and will demand a change.

Wake up district V, out time is at hand in 2004.

Red Scholefield
AMA 951
Leader Member
District V - lets bring it back to life.

red, bill, and j-r,
i have had and still do have a lot of respect for you gentlemen, however i feel that this needs to be discussed on the campaine trail and not in this forum where we only hear on side of the story.
we must all remember that we are a democratic society surronded by god fearing men and women. and no man should have to stand under the gun thay mr. mcneil has done over the last few days, so mr stillman and me mcneil i ask that we present this when the election time arrives, i have met mr. stillman and mr mcneil and i think they are both capable to present their cases without any help from outsiders wanting in.

dennis w. martin sr
ama 7030-cd
rcu moderator
[email protected]

843-753-3599

I have said the same thing for years. And I have talked to this NUT on the phone, just like you said He wants it his way or NO way. Is there any way to revoke him from Disc. VP ? I know we can vote him out ,but that will take a vote from all the people in Disc. V, or just the ones against him! Im mad as HELL and Im not going to take it any more!!!!

Dennis,

I also have a lot of respect for Red, Bill and J-R, but in a free and democratic society our founding fathers, from all accounts designed this system so that the masses might speak (rise) up against those they feel have oppressed (or failed to lead) them.

I only hope that this thread continues and that if members in other Districts have issues or are wishing to run for office I hope they AND their supporters and/or detractors come here also.

This is a forum for open discussion and debate. What I personally despise are the individuals that constantly tell us to take it somewhere else or label this is a typical "internet" discussion. To those I say you do not need to participate. If you do not like it the do not open the thread. No one forced you to click the mouse.

If these people feel that Jim McNeil needs to be replaced then let them state their case in the forum of their choice and let the Dist V members decide in 2004. If Mr. McNeil does not wish to come to this forum and debate it that is his choice. I doubt he would come as I'm sure the flame throwers are warmed up and waiting for him. So it is up to him to chose his platform of choice to get his word out.

Oh, and for those in this in other threads that feel that most of what is discussed in this forum is ANTI- AMA, I would beg to differ as I think that the majority is not ANTI-AMA we just feel that there is a need for change with in the AMA.

Denis - this is why Marc set up the AMA forum - to discuss AMA issues. Mr. McNiell is an issue. The forum is open to all to express their opinions. Where else would you suggest it be done? Only Mr. McNeill has his column in MA as a platform and a budget to travel in the district, send out letters etc. I agree however that both Mr. McNeill and Mr. Stillman are capable of presenting their cases. So far - and this goes back for the past two elections, only the challenger is has been heard from with any material of substance with the incumbent setting smugly on his pedestal knowing he can't be touched :bananahea . . . but that pedestal is getting a bit unstable as we "outsiders" continue to rock it.

If your reference to "outsiders" was meant to mean those not under Mr. McNeill in District V I would like to remind you that any actions or motions he makes as an EC member and should they be passed (heaven forbid) ALL AMA members will be impacted just as much as the members in district V. Only we will have the burden of having sent him to Muncie. For that we should beg their continued forgiveness! :cry:

Red S.
AMA 951
Leader Member
District V - there has to be a better way - lets vote for it!