The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post

19 November 2003, 09:47 PM

Good post Steve - and good questions.

Firstly, ORA board members have read this thread and are trying to discredit it.

Secondly, and this is for all who read this, not Steve in particular, please be careful about your postings here. Asking questions is reasonable, but innuendo is not. Do not post libelous remarks about anyone here. "Truth" is a nebuous commodity at times and your version of it may not match mine or anyone else's.

Thirdly, if you look at the board now and those who have resigned or were fired, you will see a pattern. Those who have been ousted were those who carried Cole Palens vision and dream forward. They are the members with the most longevity and the closest ties with the history of the Aerodrome. Ken Cassens , Karl Kopecke, Charlie Day, Peter Truesdale, Glenn Guilfoyle among them. Those now on the board are, to be polite, a little more shallow in those waters.

Fourth, the proper question is not who are the board members. They are like us - members of the community, real estate investors, bankers, and tradesmen from a variety of disciplines. The offer their time and effort, ostensibly, to the benefit of ORA. I think the proper question is "What is their plan for the future - if they intend to ensure the Aerodrome's future - How exactly do they intend to accomplish that ? If they intend to expand the Aerodromes finacial base - How exactly do they intend to accomplish that ? If they intend to fly the shows next year without a resident mechanic - How are they going to accomplish that ? How are they going to enlist pilots to fly with them - who are they and where will they come from ? What is their vision for the future and why do they seem reluctant to share it with us ?

Lastly, continue to discuss, ask, inquire and otherwise stir up conversation about the conduct of the current ORA Board of Trustees. They have not delineated a future plan and this is the cause for concern among all who know and enjoy the Aerodrome. I do not think I can top a current Board member's statement when asked about the changes and how they fit in with Cole Palen's vision of the Aerodrome and it's future. He was succinct - "Cole Palen is dead." Of course he is. And if the Board continues with that mind set, so is the dream of the man who began it all.

They could quite easily avoid any misconception about their cause and eliminate speculation as to their intentions with very little effort. Given that they have not, in the last 4 years to my knowledge, ever published a long range plan, I do not expect to see one now or as Mr. McClinch has indicated - 18 months from now. But as Members of the ORA Museum Foundation - we can and should demand concrete plans. After all - it's our money that in part fuels the organization and I for one would like to know how it is being spent.

In the meanwhile, keep telling your friends about this thread. Ask them to read it and comment. We have to all band together on this to have any real effect.

19 November 2003, 09:47 PM	#33 (permalink)
StolenCub Guest Posts: n/a	Good post Steve - and good questions. Firstly, ORA board members have read this thread and are trying to discredit it. Secondly, and this is for all who read this, not Steve in particular, please be careful about your postings here. Asking questions is reasonable, but innuendo is not. Do not post libelous remarks about anyone here. "Truth" is a nebuous commodity at times and your version of it may not match mine or anyone else's. Thirdly, if you look at the board now and those who have resigned or were fired, you will see a pattern. Those who have been ousted were those who carried Cole Palens vision and dream forward. They are the members with the most longevity and the closest ties with the history of the Aerodrome. Ken Cassens , Karl Kopecke, Charlie Day, Peter Truesdale, Glenn Guilfoyle among them. Those now on the board are, to be polite, a little more shallow in those waters. Fourth, the proper question is not who are the board members. They are like us - members of the community, real estate investors, bankers, and tradesmen from a variety of disciplines. The offer their time and effort, ostensibly, to the benefit of ORA. I think the proper question is "What is their plan for the future - if they intend to ensure the Aerodrome's future - How exactly do they intend to accomplish that ? If they intend to expand the Aerodromes finacial base - How exactly do they intend to accomplish that ? If they intend to fly the shows next year without a resident mechanic - How are they going to accomplish that ? How are they going to enlist pilots to fly with them - who are they and where will they come from ? What is their vision for the future and why do they seem reluctant to share it with us ? Lastly, continue to discuss, ask, inquire and otherwise stir up conversation about the conduct of the current ORA Board of Trustees. They have not delineated a future plan and this is the cause for concern among all who know and enjoy the Aerodrome. I do not think I can top a current Board member's statement when asked about the changes and how they fit in with Cole Palen's vision of the Aerodrome and it's future. He was succinct - "Cole Palen is dead." Of course he is. And if the Board continues with that mind set, so is the dream of the man who began it all. They could quite easily avoid any misconception about their cause and eliminate speculation as to their intentions with very little effort. Given that they have not, in the last 4 years to my knowledge, ever published a long range plan, I do not expect to see one now or as Mr. McClinch has indicated - 18 months from now. But as Members of the ORA Museum Foundation - we can and should demand concrete plans. After all - it's our money that in part fuels the organization and I for one would like to know how it is being spent. In the meanwhile, keep telling your friends about this thread. Ask them to read it and comment. We have to all band together on this to have any real effect.