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All right folks. Time to take a swing in the right direction.
Below is a "boiler-plate" letter for your convenience. It's an outline of the problems with the board and while it does not delve into details, there are plenty to back up the bullet points.
As the letter points out, a follow up will be heading to Mr. Palmquist’s office with the details to flesh out the broad allegations. Much has been discovered - more is coming.
I encourage each of you to read it thoroughly and if any part of it makes you uncomfortable – remove it. Add your own experiences and thoughts in any case. It’s our Aerodrome – not mine solely - and we should all put own personality into these letters.
If you have know pilots, aviation enthusiasts, historians, modelers, repro builders, journalists, collectors or anyone else whose voice can add to this, I urge you to encourage them to write as well. 100 letters might not do it – we need hundreds. When the voice of 4, 5, 6-hundred of us start speaking, notice will be taken. Do not wait, do not slacken the pace – start writing and encouraging others to do the same.
Any questions about this, feel free to contact me directly.
I urge everyone concerned with the future of ORA to send a copy to Mr. Palmquist, and cc. Gov Pataki and Senators Schumer and Clinton.
Mine will go out tomorrow....yours should too !
Their addresses follow:
Governor George E. Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Senator Hillary Clinton
467 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Charles Schumer
313 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Mr. David W. Palmquist, Head of Chartering Program
Dep't of Education
Cultural Education Center, Room 3090
Albany, NY 12230
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December 2004
Dear Mr. Palmquist:
Recent events at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Dutchess County have prompted me to write your office. Many members, employees past and present and aviation enthusiasts are deeply concerned about the future of the Aerodrome under its current Board of Trustees and administration.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a cultural icon in the state and a haven for aviation enthusiasts the world over. It is a unique, irreplaceable organization, unmatched certainly in this country and probably in the world. I am concerned about its future and the intention of the current Board of Trustees.
Fellow enthusiasts, many of whom are now or have in the past worked at the Aerodrome or served on it’s board of directors have made it clear that the current Board of Trustees has potentially failed in it’s responsibilities in these key areas:
· By-Laws violations
· Deviation from its Mission Statement
· Potential Financial abuses
· Failure to uphold its fiduciary responsibilities in a number of areas.
· Questionable Management decisions in the area of board elections, financial management, de-accessioning of parts of the museum collection and labor management.
Recent firing of long-time employees, the departure of board members whose association with Old Rhinebeck stretches back to it’s origins, retention of employees of dubious character and the alienation of it’s supporters – it’s membership – have all raised the alarm among those concerned about the Aerodrome’s future.
The Aerodrome’s public image as a sanctioned non-profit in New York State is in serious jeopardy both among its members and the general public. Recent media and internet coverage has brought the matter to a wider audience and will continue to do so.
I would respectfully request your office to make inquiries with the Aerodrome Board of Trustees to ascertain their position on this matter. I understand a letter from “The Friends of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome” is forthcoming which will give more detail and substance to the above allegations.
Sincerely Yours,
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