Geez..................................words can be so powerful.
You guys are really over reacting. The city manager has given us his word that Bensen days will happen at Wauchula. I don't have any reason to doubt this.
I left no doubt in the commissioner's minds that I am not representing SWARC.
And for the record, when this started getting intense, I had the courtesy to resign on my own, before I was told to.
Believe it or not, I went to the commission meeting last night to try to do our pilots some good (not representing the club). I was promised I could present some information to the commission before airport policies are changed. After waiting patiently through a two hour meeting last night I was not allowed to have my three minutes. They told me to present my information to the new airport "advisory" board after they create it. I know that the people who really need to hear what I have to say are not the airport board members (who will probably be pilots) but the commissioners who will ultimately make the decisions. So I will continue to get this information to them so that they can make more informed decisions.
I commend the commissioners for having the insight to vote to maintain some kind of board with aviators on it instead of letting the city commission be the airport board as they do for many other city boards.
Since I was not allowed to present last night, I also called the assistant city manager today to convey my most serious concerns for our gyro hangars. We had a very nice conversation and she did put my mind at ease a bit.
It would also be good to remember that Joe, Brooke, Hendrick, Bud, Trez and myself are the ones who are actually here to see these wheels turn in person.
Bud knows how much I love him and Rhonda. Bud is one of my heroes for the very reason that he knows how to and has stood up for what it right in the face of adversity.
This whole thing is really pretty simple. The city manager has made a very bad mistake. It has resulted in costing the city money they don’t have, it has destroyed the life of Wauchula’s most valuable and cost-effective employee, AND it has jeopardized the safety of all pilots who use the Wauchula airport. We are trying to correct the problem before more damage is done.
Just a couple of days ago the interim airport managers came out to “stick” the fuel tank to check the level. When they couldn’t figure out where to put the stick in, they forced out the safety pin on the pressure relief hatch and then tried to re-secure it with a padlock. Do you see what I mean? There are issues here even bigger than Bensen Days or SWARC.
I love where we are. I want to see all of us stay at Wauchula and be happy. But if they decide to significantly change the situation at the airport, then as soon as I have somewhere else to go, I’m out of there. I simply won’t put up with it.
The next two meetings are on 2/2 and 2/9. I will keep you posted.
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Doug, I hope all is going well with you and yours. Please come visit with us again soon.
The apathy runs deep in this town. That’s a big part of why all this is happening.
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Thanks Greg. I appreciate it.
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Thanks Leigh. Sensible…………………………………..seems hard to find right now.
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Steve, You’re most welcome.
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Gabor & Jake, I still love you guys no matter what.