SPARKS Forums

I deleted the original post but I believe that more consideration should be paid to the development process before we consider spending money on any field improvements. If there is current movement on the development of the Toy Town Site we should delay spending so much money on a runway extension.

Mike Scott 

Hello Mike,

I firmly believe the statements in your post will incite much confusion in the members.  Your statements appear to be opinion not baesd on facts, but rather what you heard at the meeting this morning and conjecture.  Its a free country so you are welcome to express your opinion.

Now here's a reality checklist for our members:

1.  Any member can read the actual status of all of this on Pinellas County's web site.  If you do, you will find out that the county has selected vendors to "enter negotiations" with to see if the site is even developable.  You will also find out that the site must be developed using the county's ten year development plan (which happens to include SPARKS site).

2.  I have no idea where the concept of a developer to "lease" the site came from.  The actual RFP (request for proposal) that was issued was for OWNERSHIP of the site to be transfered to a developer.  No one is going to come in and lease the site for $1 per year and develop it.

3.  Nothing is mentioned in any of the documents about a surety bond being acceptable to the county.

I respectfully suggest EVERY member check out the written information and not go by hearsay.  I also ask the membership not to get overly excited- nothing is going to happen anytime soon.

 Ken

I stand corrected.

But that's not what was said at this mornings meeting. Either I heard what was said wrong or what was said was in error but I based my post upon what our president said at the meeting this morning which is the only information the club has since the board meeting last month was held in private. The announcement this morning by Sam is what caused me to write the post. 

My only purpose was to suggest that maybe we should not be so quick to spend money on improvements if there is new or pending action on the development process.

That Sam believes that a developer would leave the club in place and accept liability for it or that the county would protect the club's interest in this process is not a reasonable assumption. 

Mike

jemke1:

I stand corrected.

But that's not what was said at this mornings meeting. Either I heard what was said wrong or what was said was in error but I based my post upon what our president said at the meeting this morning which is the only information the club has since the board meeting last month was held in private. The announcement this morning by Sam is what caused me to write the post. 

My only purpose was to suggest that maybe we should not be so quick to spend money on improvements if there is new or pending action on the development process.

That Sam believes that a developer would leave the club in place and accept liability for it or that the county would protect the club's interest in this process is not a reasonable assumption. 

Mike

  What Sam said was incorrect. The land developers would not be leasing the land they would have to buy it. Sam simply misspoke; lets not blow it out of proportion. The fact is that no one really knows what's going to happen with the land or when. As best as we can tell it will be 5 years minimum before any decisions are made regarding the land.

The last Board of Directors meeting was NOT private! In fact it was only a "lets build an agenda" meeting where no real decisions were made except to have safety signs made. Also the meeting was attended by a member of the club that is NOT on the board so how private is that? The board meetings are held at Bennigans on 4th St. @ 6:30 the third Wednesday of odd numbered months. Anyone is welcome to attend, but I suggest to all attendees; check your ego at the door as we will not tolerate and voice raising or ranting. We also forbid the consumption of alcohol during our meetings.

How the club spends its money is up to the club. If a majority of the members want a runway extension then we build it if the money is there. Personally I don't see the need for the extension, however, if it's what the membership wants that's what we are doing. My personal wants or opinions are immaterial; as I have the best interest of the entire club in mind here, not just a select few. To that point, everyone should keep in mind that we are an R/C flying club! Right now we have far too many “Arm-chair” Pilots whining about what goes on out on the flight line and crying about what the helicopter guys are doing. As a matter of fact I’d venture to say that the majority of the complaining at the club comes from that particular group. Folks, if you don’t fly why complain? As far as I see it, if you belong in this particular demographic group of non-flying members, you are given a shady spot to sit in and you’re not in any immediate danger. Therefore, the club is doing all it can for you. So having said that I’ll add that the next time a member wants to bring up an issue that pertains to what’s going on out on the flight line, please make sure you’ve spent some time out there in recent history.

If anyone would like to send me questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me. jimmy@jimmydacey.com

Have fun folks!

Jim Dacey

 Vise President

I just want to say , THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE POSITION,

There are more FLYERS that i'm sure have faith in  your choices than those who will critize ever thing you do.

brian

Thanks Brian, we can use all the supporters we can get.  I haven't seen you out at the field since December. Where hve you been hiding? 

   Jimmy

RCSHIRT  is my second job and it has been taking a lot of time. like now i,m putting together an order for yardbird rc and will be recieving product from them to add to the site.  

i'll get out there some how :)