The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post

Paul Revere · 20 November 2003, 12:01 PM

What I see at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome:

A Board of Directors without oversight and out of control.

Since Cole Palen died the board has been like a revolving door. They have
hired and fired, or had quit, many directors, none with any experience at
running a foundation, several without much knowledge of antique airplanes.
One can call to mind one "director" who spent the summer selling
kites
at the airshows. He didn't last long, only long enough to embark on a
disastrous fundriser, which cost the the Aerodrome some thousands of
dollars. Another young man they hired as a part timer, also without
experience but who had been involved with the Aerodrome for some years,
worked his heart out, did his best, but was eventually the focus of unproven
allegations and dismissed out of hand with no word of thanks for the time he
had put in. The latest director,(excepting the current occupant) was the
only outsider and he quit after three months when the board micromanaged and
refused to ok his changes in personnel. The current "director" has a full
time job as a helicopter pilot for a police force on Long Island and has only
recently been involved with the Aerodrome. His only qualification seems to
be that he is at hand and acceptable to the board.

They have also given tremendous authority to a woman hired as office
manager/bookkeeper, who now seems to be running the museum..again without
qualifications.

At the same time, the board has supported a convicted felon,who confessed to
knowingly possessing stolen property, who actually threatened to sue more than one of the
board members, and who has been involved in other shady operations over the
years.

The board itself has pushed out at least one board member, who was so
disturbed by the board's actions that he decided to do some background
research, which some regarded as disloyal to the board. (One could argue
that he was doing them a favor.) Others have resigned out of disgust or
despair. The sunshine law does not seem to govern their actions as the last
open meeting was last February.

On Friday 11/7 a coup was mounted. The local sheriff's department was
summoned, as had been arranged beforehand, locks were changed, the mechanics
fired, and all personnel told they had no more access to the property
without the presence of the director or a designated subordinate.
Furthermore, all personal property was to be removed immediately. It was carried
out like a brutal police raid, with no consideration of personnel who had
been at ORA for years. The excuse for such drastic action was that during
the flying season two of the planes had been tampered with. This is a
federal offense, but was not shared with the other pilots, who might have
wished to keep an special eye on their planes. And no one is sure if it was
reported to the authorities either, nor were the specifics revealed.

When I think of the many years under Cole, when a like-minded group gathered
about to fly and enjoy the old planes, a fraternity of antique
aero-enthusiasts, then I know that Cole would be horrified at what is
happening there now. He meant to have what his enthusiasm and hard work had
built continue, not be at the mercy of a cabal of people who seem to regard
his vision as passe. Indeed it is hard to see what their vision is, if they
have one. It certainly has not been well articulated.

20 November 2003, 12:01 PM	#38 (permalink)
Paul Revere Observer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1	What I see at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome: A Board of Directors without oversight and out of control. Since Cole Palen died the board has been like a revolving door. They have hired and fired, or had quit, many directors, none with any experience at running a foundation, several without much knowledge of antique airplanes. One can call to mind one "director" who spent the summer selling kites at the airshows. He didn't last long, only long enough to embark on a disastrous fundriser, which cost the the Aerodrome some thousands of dollars. Another young man they hired as a part timer, also without experience but who had been involved with the Aerodrome for some years, worked his heart out, did his best, but was eventually the focus of unproven allegations and dismissed out of hand with no word of thanks for the time he had put in. The latest director,(excepting the current occupant) was the only outsider and he quit after three months when the board micromanaged and refused to ok his changes in personnel. The current "director" has a full time job as a helicopter pilot for a police force on Long Island and has only recently been involved with the Aerodrome. His only qualification seems to be that he is at hand and acceptable to the board. They have also given tremendous authority to a woman hired as office manager/bookkeeper, who now seems to be running the museum..again without qualifications. At the same time, the board has supported a convicted felon,who confessed to knowingly possessing stolen property, who actually threatened to sue more than one of the board members, and who has been involved in other shady operations over the years. The board itself has pushed out at least one board member, who was so disturbed by the board's actions that he decided to do some background research, which some regarded as disloyal to the board. (One could argue that he was doing them a favor.) Others have resigned out of disgust or despair. The sunshine law does not seem to govern their actions as the last open meeting was last February. On Friday 11/7 a coup was mounted. The local sheriff's department was summoned, as had been arranged beforehand, locks were changed, the mechanics fired, and all personnel told they had no more access to the property without the presence of the director or a designated subordinate. Furthermore, all personal property was to be removed immediately. It was carried out like a brutal police raid, with no consideration of personnel who had been at ORA for years. The excuse for such drastic action was that during the flying season two of the planes had been tampered with. This is a federal offense, but was not shared with the other pilots, who might have wished to keep an special eye on their planes. And no one is sure if it was reported to the authorities either, nor were the specifics revealed. When I think of the many years under Cole, when a like-minded group gathered about to fly and enjoy the old planes, a fraternity of antique aero-enthusiasts, then I know that Cole would be horrified at what is happening there now. He meant to have what his enthusiasm and hard work had built continue, not be at the mercy of a cabal of people who seem to regard his vision as passe. Indeed it is hard to see what their vision is, if they have one. It certainly has not been well articulated. __________________ One if by land...