Rhinebeck Museum trouble

[tazbat]

Where does Brian Coughlin fit into the events at Cole's ORA?

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Man, you guys are hard to keep up with. I'm reading as fast as I can!



Thanks Pat for the informative chronology of events.
Pat Posted on Sep 2 2004, 09:34 PM

The Board instantly recalled Jan. Tom Daly, who was brought in by Gene as a pilot was made Airshow Director. He then rehired Laura. Gene DeMarco was immediately reinstated by a split vote of the trustees on July 24, 2003 without regard to a preliminary investigative report (conducted by an attorney) or the serious questions regarding the mandatory reporting of felony convictions to the FAA. Two Board members with long time connections with the Aerodrome resigned on the same day

taken by 3 other board members (Ryder, Kick and Richards).

Which actions? The reinstatement of DeMarco?? Or other actions?



Thank you Curtiss Jenny for the Mission Statement posting. Seems much within the statement is no longer being met.

[curtisswright]

Many of the board members are successful businessmen. I have met some and observed others. They all seem to be very impressed with the fact that they have authority at the aerodrome, and are equally impressed with, and constantly bring up in casual conversation, that they are pilots.

Can anyone on the board justify as sound business practices the current state of affairs at the aerodrome? Did your business enterprises include board members drawing a salary from the company? Or, did you nuture your companies? Provide long range planning that was fiscally responsible? Recognize employees that could be resources for the company by virtue of their skill and enthusiasm? If so, then what makes the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome any different? If you sold a product, did you make it your business to find out what your targeted customers wanted? Or were you comfortable enough with the product you delt with and ram it down the consumer's throat? When you felt professionally threatened by qualified employees that were a genuine asset to your companies did you find a way to put your own egos aside and work with them for the good of the company. Or did you just dump them?

We are listening.
What makes Old Rhinebeck different and less deserving of your proven skill as businessmen?

Dean Ryder protects Gene DeMarco at all costs.

Jim Kick shields Dean Ryder at all costs.

Terry McClinch’s vote is frequently by proxy from Dean Ryder or Jim Kick due to absence.

Paul Richards either votes the same as Dean Ryder or abstains. He told a volunteer that he thought Ken and Scott stole parts, nothing could be further from the truth.

Stanley Segalla has said “Daly is the best pilot we got!” and Gene brings an enormous amount to the aerodrome and it would be a tremendous loss without him. (Of course he didn’t say that we would probably lose less of the collection without him).

Jan is a control freak and will kick or kiss anybody’s _ to maintain that control. Laura Heine is nothing more than Jan’s stooge.

The board members who resigned in July 2003 were Carl Kopecky and Charlie Day. Peter Truesdell resigned in November 2003.

It is believed that Daly informed the State police of the Apollo Space parachute offered on Ebay. It was no secret that Chris had it, and he had mentioned it at a pilot's meeting in the summer. The board never answered any of Chris's questions. The only response that anyone I know of has gotten is at best a whitewash, and more often of a vindictive nature.

Workers cautioned the board about the potential problems of having the second New Standard flying at away shows. The end result was that it crashed.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

CAL Posted on Sep 3 2004, 09:19 AM

The board never answered any of Chris's questions.

Does anyone here know specifically what questions Chris posed to the board at that time that they would not answer?

Posted on page 18 of this thread:

This just came to my attention. I thought you all might be interested. This is the letter that Chris Rogine handed to the board and read aloud at the Feb. 2003 board meeting. Many employees and volunteers were present. He was told that he would be invited back for the March 2003 board meeting to listen to the board’s response. He was never invited back. Instead, a target was put on his back.

For those who do not know who I am, let me introduce myself, very briefly. My name is Chris Rogine from Long Island. I worked at Zahns airport and was a member of the Antique Airplane Club. Now living in Rhinebeck for 20 years. Been hanging around the Aerodrome for about 16 years. Had the honor of shooting down Cole in his Triplane from the Curtiss Fledgling, got the club’s Taylorcraft flying, and was Cole and Rita’s private jeweler.

For the past 5 or 6 years, I have helped Dan Taylor stay in the air. I am on two Aerodrome committees and have worked on everything from the Jenny wings to weather-stripping museum doors. I feel that I have some knowledge of how and why the people and this place work. I have worked and written pilot programs for N.Y.S. Board of Regents, so I do have some experience working with large organizations.

There are some questions that I need answers to. As many others, even more dedicated people, need answers to. These questions are not meant to demoralize, degrade, or cause animosity.

1. First, exactly what was the reason for Tom’s being asked to resign? Tom was an extremely dedicated member here that was not, I believe, ever recognized for all that he did. I have worked closely with Tom on two committees and many volunteer projects, and he never grew tired of his mission. Many a night at 11 p.m. or so, I would pass the Carriage House or call at that time. He would be working, pick up the phone and ready to answer my questions. His agenda was massive, and I do not believe that the board really knew the magnitude of his agenda.

2. Last board meeting; it was mentioned that the salaries were big numbers. Yet, you are willing to hire a full time director. I do not understand? Tom was part-time, working full-time, and you would not hire a professional grant writer that takes a percentage of what he or she raises.

3. Why is the second New Standard biplane more important than hangers that are ready to fall down on existing working aircraft? Do you have a business plan for this traveling airplane venture? When will it break even? Projected yearly income? Why was there no hull insurance on this airplane?

4. Long-Range Plan. Where is it? You need a Long-Range Plan first. Then short term goals. Then, the Fund Raising committee has something to show potential donors.

5. New Director. We lose credibility when we do not operate with professionalism. For example, a search committee is usually formed to hire key personnel. Such a committee should be comprised of key personnel. Their input is crucial in hiring a director who comprehends the big picture, and put plans into action. This person must work closely with employees and volunteers everyday and/or weekends. Not just working well once a month at board meetings. I must stress that the decisions that the board members make set the environmental attitude here.

6. Board members. The lingo of the new century. Accountability and effectiveness. Has this board been accountable? Has it been effective? I would like to be able to say it has. But, as far as I can see, it has not. The pros and cons of decisions and policies that effect the many dedicated people here have not been considered in a rational manner. If animosity exists, this place will suffer. Unfortunately, it does exist here now. I do not understand: if we all have the same goal here, why is there such a state of distrust? Maybe there are some different unspoken goals and agenda. We should look into that. Lastly, why are there no term limits for the board? Please do not disregard all these concerns, and continue to go “steady as she goes.”

Now to summarize:
1. Why exactly was Tom let go? Was this decision voted on? If not, was he just asked by one or two people, so there would not have to be a voting process?
2. Why not immediately hire a professional grant writer?
3. Where is the business plan for the second New Standard Biplane? Why such a higher priority above falling down hangers?
4. Long Range Plane. Where is it? All key people must be involved in the decision making.
5. New Director. All key employees involved in the hiring process. Form a search committee.
6. Board Members. It is time to employ term limits. Most other boards have 1-2 year terms. Annual board report accomplishments.

[EricGoedkoop]

Originally posted by curtisswright@Sep 3 2004, 01:16 PM
[b]Can anyone on the board justify as sound business practices the current state of affairs at the aerodrome?

My point is that in their minds, YES. While I doubt that anyone is going to point to the "state of affairs" - the airshows - this season with chest-swelling pride, I think the Board MUST believe that the actions they took leading to the current state of affairs ARE sound business practice. Otherwise, why would they have done what they did?

(I know, I know, Evil Plot. You guys are still at the top of the list.)

Again, I'm not saying they're right. I'm saying that is what they believe.

[EricGoedkoop]

Jim Kick shields Dean Ryder at all costs.

OK. Why? What's the relationship between those two?

Dean Ryder protects Gene DeMarco at all costs.

I still don't know what ties these two together. Anybody? If DeMarco recommended Ryder as a Board member, he must have had some relationship with him pre-ORA. What is it?

If you can find those answers that will go a VERY long way.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Pat, thanks for your last post reprinting Chris Rogine's February 2003 letter to the ORA board, with important questions that went unanswered and still remain unanswered.

It is rather suspicious that shortly after he presented the letter, that he was falsely accused by ORA board member/s and falsely arrested. How absolutely unbelievable that Chris, a longtime hardworking ORA volunteer, who had such close association and ongoing interaction with the board, would not even have been given the courtesy of at least a phone call, inquiring as to the parachute, from same board member/s.