Rhinebeck Museum trouble

[visaliaaviation]

Have heard that the police were called to shut down the field due to a reported incident of aircraft tampering. Is that the so-called"secruurity issue"? Are any direct accusations being made toward any former employee???
I understand further that Ken Cassens has been ordered to vacate the property, along with tools, house trailer etc. Has to be out by the Dec. 1!

Questions: 1.What are renter's rights in NY state? no 30 day's notice?
2. What rights do emplyees have for wrongful termination?
3. What is the definition of defamation of character in NY?
4. Is there need to establish a Legal Defense Fund?


The whole situation stinks, and we can smell it way out here in California! Does the current OR administration really think the local FSDO is going to allow public airshows of ANY aircraft, let alone WWI era a/c with only volunteer inspection and maintainance?

The future of OR depends upons public goodwill. What future can there be if the entire community of aviation minded public (antiquers, sport, EAAers, civil, professionals, modelers etc.) is alienated?

[greenknight]

Quoting the post from visaliaaviation:

"The future of OR depends upons public goodwill. What future can there be if the entire community of aviation minded public (antiquers, sport, EAAers, civil, professionals, modelers etc.) is alienated?"

These two lines speak a great deal, and make a point that the Board of Directors must be called upon to address. It is incredible to me that the Board may need to be reminded that we all have many worthy causes that ask us for our support in preserving vintage aircraft and aviation history.

I first visited the Aerodrome as a 10 year old in 1972 and have been a great fan ever since. During my high school and college years my father and I flew our WWI R/C models in the annual Rhinebeck Jamborees. It was an incredible thrill to be able to play a little part in "the show" for one weekend a year.

I have been a member of the Aerodrome Museum since joining as a Charter Member in 1994. My support has been my small way of saying "Thank You" for the fun and inspiration that the Aerodome gave me, and of helping to ensure it might continue do so in the same spirit for others. Over the past 30 years it would be hard to count the number of people to whom members of my family have recommended a visit to the Aerodrome.

I share this little bit of personal history because I think it not untypical of the stories that would be told by legions of people who love Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome as I do. Collectively, such people comprise the "public goodwill" referred to above.

I call upon the Aerodrome Board of Directors to consider its value when it responds to the distress the present situation has caused, and in enunciating its vision for the Aerodrome's future.

[PeterL]

I have never been to "OR", nor even to the United States, but like many enthusiasts I cling to the idea of one day making the pilgrimage. This thread fills me with dismay

[US95Damiani]

What else can be done?

I don't have a lot knowledge about the situation other than what I've read here, but It is very disconcerting,

[SteveS]

Originally posted by US95Damiani@Nov 22 2003, 09:07 PM
[b]What else can be done?

I don't have a lot knowledge about the situation other than what I've read here, but It is very disconcerting,

For the time being, spreading the word helps. The more that are made aware, the more support we will have.

US95Damiani, If you frequent any other Red Baron 3D messages boards, how about posting a message so other RB fliers will be aware that their yearly meeting place has a big problem.

From the number of new forum members I've been seeing on this board, word seems to be getting along.

My thanks to the Webmaster for giving us this outlet. Without it, I know I would have been in the dark.

Salute All,
Steve

[Mark_Miller]

Originally posted by SteveS@Nov 22 2003, 11:43 PM
[b]If you frequent any other Red Baron 3D messages boards, how about posting a message so other RB fliers will be aware that their yearly meeting place has a big problem.

I posted messages concerning this issue last week on the SWWISA Forum and the WW1 modelers list.

HTH
Mark

[falconer]

I am truly heartened to see the response to this issue. Reading all of your accounts has encouraged me to write, and add my own "two cents" to try and help preserve this unique collection. Having grown up right up the street from the Aerodrome, it has played a huge role in the direction of my life, much as it has for many of you. I remember meeting Douglas Campbell, Arthur Ray Brooks, Neil Armstrong, and Jim Lovell among others. I remember Cole Palen and his selfless devotion to share his dream with anyone, no matter what age, and so many others, like my father, my uncle, my brother, my cousins, and countless others who volunteered their time and money every weekend to make it all happen so people from all over the world could "turn back time" and imagine what the birth of aviation was like.
So much has transpired over the last few years at ORA that it would take a book to explain it all. Hirings, firings, stolen aircraft, questionable employees, lost documentation, closed door meetings, forced resignations, selling of assets...this is just the beginning. At this point the best thing to do is to ask questions, lots of questions. Spread the word to anyone you can think of who may find this of interest and tell them to do the same. This must be brought to everyone's attention if the Rhinebeck Aerodrome has any chance of surviving.

[Whosaidrats]

I've been contacting a number of aviation museums, mostly to spread the word, but also to get input about possible actions to take. One representative of a well known NY aviation museum told me, "You'd be surprised how much the Governor and Senators would be interested in this..."
So, after a little internet work:

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

If you google them you can also find e-mail contacts, but I think paper letters probably carry more weight. And don't let your personal politics get in the way of helping out this worthwhile cause. So you writers, write some more, or at least send copies of your letters to the Attorney General's office, with an explanatory note. And refer them to this forum. Those rotton apples at the Aerodrome have got to be made, or at least convinced, to step aside, for the good of Old Rhinebeck.

Things are a mess in Rhinebeck. The "old loyal employees" are being treated like dirt and deserve better. Board of Directors are clueless as how to meet the needs of the Aerodrome. Ken Cassans fired????? Jim Hare on his way out????These are just two employees who are the heart and soul of the ORA....help!

As a member of the Mid Hudson R/C Society, sponsors of the Rhinebeck Jamboree for the last 37 years, and former Contest Director of the event in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002, I can say that we, the MHRCS, are very concerned over the recent turn of events at the Aerodrome. I have been involved in the Jamboree, on and off, since it's inception, and knew Cole personally. I bought my first full scale aircraft from him back in 1973, a 1940 Taylorcraft that belonged to both he and Gordon Banbridge. Please inform my club, through me, of what we can do to help save this aviation treasure. Tom