AMA news 2003 Election Campaign Statements 2003/11

District II Vice President
Dave Mathewson, Incumbent
Camillus, New York
Three years ago I wrote in my campaign statement that I would
focus on three primary issues if elected; flying site acquisition,
youth education, and improving communications in District II.
Having been your District II VP for the past three years I’d like to
tell you what we’ve accomplished.
Flying site issues have consumed the majority of my time.
While we haven’t achieved all we’d hoped for, our efforts have
opened new doors that will pay benefits to all of our members.
Contacts made with political representatives like Con. Ben
Gilman, AMA’s opportunity to present oral testimony before a
congressional committee, and the opportunity to meet with the US
F&WL Service Regional Director have been just some of positive
offshoots of our work in District II.
In 2001 I appointed the first District II Education Coordinator.
We have worked hard to provide our clubs with the tools and
materials necessary to promote model aviation to the children in
our communities. From pre-school activities to college programs
we have worked to provide the means to help our chartered clubs
become an asset in their hometowns. An important consideration
when we ask for support from the community.
The level of communication in District II has increased
dramatically. We now have a website second to no other district
site. We created a district email newslist to share information, and
recently we created a district forum to supplement our newslist.
This fall, we will be able to hold “virtual meetings” on our
website where members will be able to “talk” with district officers
in real-time.
I have traveled, with my wife, to your events, missing only 4
weekends during the last 3 flying seasons. Those of you who have
spoken to me know that if you ask me a question, you’ll get a
direct answer.
If reelected I will continue this level of commitment to the
members in District II.
District IV Vice President
Bliss Teague, Incumbent
Hickory, North Carolina
I was born March 2, 1931, and finished high school in 1949 in
the upper 1% of my class. While serving in the US Army, (Korea
1952-1954) I attained the rank of Sergeant. I completed several
technical schools in service and Starr Metal Building School
afterward.
I became a field superintendent in commercial and industrial
construction until 1972 with W.E. Dale Construction Co. and built
schools, manufacturing plants, city halls, recreation centers,
churches and dormitories.
My construction career continued at Twin City Builders where
I was chief estimator and purchasing agent until 1978. I then
worked with Hendrick General Contractors until 1980. From 1980
until 1992, I was president of Bowness Construction Inc. There I
was responsible for the complete operation and construction of
multi-million dollar homes in the Grandfather Golf and Country
Club, Linville Ridge, Elk River Resorts, and Linville Resorts golf
communities. From 1992 until my retirement in March 2001 I
held the same position with Griffin Contractors, Inc. Linville
Division.
I became an AMA member for the second time in the mid 60’s.
The first time was in the mid 40’s. In 1978 I became a Contest
Director and have handled more then 50 contests since. I attained
Leader Member status in 1989 and was appointed AVP for
Western North Carolina in 1998. Then I was responsible for
approximately 40 clubs and visited approximately three-fourths of
them.
I have held the office of club president for over 25 terms,
though not all consecutive, and was vice-president for several
years. I was instrumental in starting the first modeling club in our
area and securing four flying sites.
I enjoy meeting people and talking modeling. Everyone has
something to contribute and that makes modelers special. With
your input and consideration, hopefully I can vote your wishes. As
time and invitations permit, I would like to visit as many clubs as
possible. Let me know what you think about the issues.
My modeling started at the early age of nine, being interested
in balsa gliders and rubber powered models. Then my interest
moved to control line. I worked in a hobby shop to support my
modeling. After a time out for family and home, I started back in
the late 60’s in radio control and building my own radios. Like
most, I flew the trainers, sport types and then pattern and racing.
Later, I tried helicopters, some sailplanes and little electric.
Eventually, I got into scale and the larger models. I enjoy all
facets of modeling, although I haven’t tried them all. Perhaps
some day I will.
If you think I can represent you fairly through your input and
comments, then I would appreciate your vote.
District VI Vice President
Charlie Bauer, Incumbent
Norridge, Illinois
My name is Charlie Bauer. I’m a retired college professor, and
live is a suburb of Chicago. I would hope to continue to represent
District VI as the Vice-President. I have been designing, building,
flying and crashing models since 1938. I compete and sport fly
free-flight, control-line and radio-control.
The Executive Council is the policy making board of directors
for the AMA, and as such should be, and is, looking and planning
for the future of our sport/hobby. I believe that the AMA has two
main functions, first, and most important, is to serve you the
members. The second is to promote the sport/hobby through
strong programs aimed at education and public relations. I serve
on many committees of the EC, one of which is the education
committee, which has done much to increase the number of youth
members. I chair the Flying Site Development/Improvement grant
program that awards funds to clubs that file an application.
I’m not a politician and won’t make promises I can’t keep. I do
promise to try to do what ever is necessary to assist individual
members and clubs in our district to solve problems that fall
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2003 Election Campaign Statements
Editor’s Note: Per AMA policy, campaign statements are not edited by staff. Statements are published precisely as they are submitted by the candidates.
November 2003 143
within the jurisdiction of the AMA.
Our district is honored to have the International Flying Site
and the AMA Headquarters in our backyard. The new
headquarters building is finished and the museum will be able to
expand. The flying site has been improved and is busy all the time
If there any questions that you would like answered, please
contact me. 708-457-0565, FAX 708-457-2177, e-mail
[email protected]
District VIII Vice President
Horrace Cain
New Caney, Texas
You are an AMA Vice President (VP). What is your main
priority? Is it the administrative area or the operational realm?
Certainly, we each have our own ideas about what should be
pursued and accomplished. All ideas are welcome.
As your AMA District VP, I will communicate with you
concerning the affairs of the AMA and the Executive Council. I
will welcome your inputs regardless of the pro or con that you may
present. Agree or disagree, my door will always be open.
If you elect me, I will bring forty years of experience in AMA
business, including previously a VP from District VI. I was once
an active CL and FF modeler. While I have flown mostly RC since
1973, I do keep my hand in CL sport.
While many current modelers think of AMA only in insurance
terms, I think of AMA as a service organization charged to assure
a secure future for this world of model aviation. AMA cannot be
all things to all people, yet AMA can provide much more than
insurance.
Any activity needs organization to focus the goals of the group.
Model airplane people need Flying-Sites and public acceptance.
AMA needs to be very proactive in establishing the worth of model
aviation as a recreation, sport, a competition, and/or a very
worthwhile activity. Only through national recognition can the
required facilities be acquired and maintained.
As your District VP, I will pursue these goals. Evidence the
Jetero RC facility near Houston.
Vote for Flying Fields and national recognition. Elect Horrace
Cain to AMA District VIII Vice President.
Sandy Frank, Incumbent
Weatherford, Texas
Hello, I am Dr. Sandy Frank. I am asking for your vote in this
election. I have been an AMA member since 1957 (Life Member
#69). I have built & flown all types of C/L, F/F and R/C models.
My late father, Murry Frank (an AMA Fellow) taught me as a
child about modeling and the personal fulfillment of AMA
volunteer work. I have been a local, regional and national
volunteer AMA worker for more than 39 years. I studied
Aerospace Engineering at the UTA.
I am 55 years old & hold a Ph.D. I have operated my own
successful business (retired). Now Aeromodeling is my life. I can
and will devote the time and effort needed to represent you well to
the AMA Board of Directors!
I promise not to push any personal agendas, philosophy or
politics on you or the AMA. I shall represent the will of the
majority of the membership within the District in the important
matters which the AMA Council must decide. I will support no
dues increases, no AMA-instigated lawsuits, local modeling
support (especially local flying sites) as AMA’s highest priority,
presentation of all of Aeromodeling so as to gain national
recognition (and support) and last but not least open
communications between the AMA and all of its members.
Historically only 10% of the membership votes. So please
vote! Your vote is needed and important! Your vote for me will be
sincerely appreciated. Thank you, Sandy Frank 105 N.Brazos-
Weatherford ,TX 76086-3207 Phone/Fax: (817)599-7131 email:
[email protected] (I am available 24 X 7 X 365 to assist you!)
Michael Moss
Sulphur, Louisiana
I guess I will start by telling you a little about my self and why
I would like to be your next D-VIII Vice President. I have been in
RC for over 15 years and have been involved in several areas of
RC. big-birds, helicopter, pylon, & scale. Some of my duties in
our club are teaching new members to fly air planes & helicopter,
CDing our clubs 5 yearly events, building and maintaining our
club web site and i am also the grounds keeper for our club. one
of the greatest joys that I get out of RC is teaching new pilots how
to fly. Its like raising children. you can feel their excitement when
they are learning and it gives me a feeling that I have some worth
by passing along something that they will have and enjoy for ever.
My platform will be simple. i hope to build a feeling in the DVIII
membership where they are encouraged about their future in
D-VIII. And that every member should feel that he has the right to
have a VP that is open to his suggestions and that the members
should feel that they could make a contribution to their club or the
district by running for any office.
Normally when you see or meet a leader any were they will
never ask you what do you think I am doing wrong and do you
have any ideas on what I should be doing. How often do you think
any of our leadership wakes up in the middle of the night
worrying about how things are going or can’t get back to sleep
worrying about if they are doing all they could be doing for the
members.
I do not want this job for life I only want one or two terms if
need be to see if I can bring a feeling of unity back into district DVIII
and the AMA. I believe that as a VP that every event you
attend you should announce to the pilots that you are their and you
want to know what’s wrong with the district or your performance
just to keep in touch.
your friend Michael moss
District X Vice President
Richard Hanson, Incumbent
Scottsdale, Arizona
Over the past ten years I’ve had the privilege of serving the
membership of AMA District X as your representative to the AMA
Executive Council. As your District VP I have dedicated my efforts
towards seeking out member issues, presenting your views before
the Executive Council and supporting initiatives aimed at addressing
member concerns. I’ve traveled throughout the district to meet with
individual modelers and the local leaders of our AMA chartered
clubs, and I’ve gained an extensive working knowledge of the local
and regional issues challenging the existence and growth of this
great sport/hobby.
The events of the past two years have presented uniquely new
challenges for our hobby and have introduced a new set of threats to
the existence and survival of model aviation. Though I strongly
believe the number one issue facing the hobby remains the
acquisition, retention and development of aeromodeling flying sites,
concerns regarding homeland security and possible terrorist activity
involving model aircraft have created significant indemnity and
public/governmental relations issues.
As we continue into the 21st Century, AMA is faced with
addressing and resolving these critical issues. Moreover, in meeting
these challenges AMA must have effective leadership, a clear focus
on its purpose and an innate vision for the future. Our success in
achieving this vision depends greatly upon the participation of the
individual modeler and the involvement of the local AMA charted
clubs. As such, I will strive to elevate AMA’s support for the local
organizations and their involvement in this endeavor.
If aeromodeling is to survive we need strong and resolute
leadership in our national organization and all of us must do our
part. With your support, I pledge to continue advocating the interests
of District X and will ardently endeavor for the preservation and
advancement of model aviation.