AMA News
2006 Campaign Statements
Editor’s note: "Candidate statements reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Candidate statements are published word-for-word as submitted by the candidate and are not edited by the Academy of Model Aeronautics' staff for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Academy of Model Aeronautics reserves the right to remove any portions of any statement which it determines, in its sole discretion, may contain potentially defamatory remarks."
District II Vice President
Dave Mathewson (Incumbent) Camillus, New York
Flying site issues have dominated my time as your district vice president. During my current term I have had the opportunity to meet with nearly every level of government to discuss model aviation and our dire need for good flying sites. In 2005 I testified before a Congressional Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., studying public access to federally owned land. Experience gained during these opportunities is cumulative and I intend to use that experience going forward.
AMA is at a crossroads. The face of model aviation is changing and we need to adapt to this change. At the same time we cannot ignore our history, tradition, and culture that has made AMA an important part of our members' hobby. I intend to work to find ways to acclimate AMA into today's environment, yet not at the expense of our current members.
It has become clear that our government is concerned with UAV activity in our national airspace. Federal regulations will eventually be created to address these concerns. Our job will be to separate what we do as model aviation enthusiasts from the commercial and military nature of UAV activity that concerns the FAA. At the same time, we need to embrace new technologies and encourage those that offer innovative ideas to help find ways to safely incorporate them into model aviation.
I have traveled, with my wife, to your events, rarely missing a weekend during the last three flying seasons and will continue to do so to listen to your concerns.
Finally, I am a proponent of term limits. I believe an organization like AMA continually needs new blood and fresh ideas to remain viable. While I intend to run for the AMA presidency next year, this will be my last campaign for District II Vice President.
I sincerely appreciate the support you have shown me in the past and I ask for your vote to continue as your district representative.
District IV Vice President
Bliss Teague (Incumbent) Hickory, North Carolina
I became an AMA member for the second time in the mid-1960s. The first time was in the mid-1940s. In 1978 I became a Contest Director and have handled more than 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-quarters 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 1960s in radio control and building my own radios. Like most, I flew the trainers and sport types, then moved to pattern and racing.
Later, I tried helicopters, some sailplanes and small electrics. 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 semi-retired college professor, and I live in a suburb of Chicago (Norridge, IL). 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, to serve you the members; second, 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 increased the number of youth members. I chair the Flying Site Development Grant Program that awards funds to clubs that apply.
I'm not a politician and won't make promises that I can't keep. I do promise to try to do whatever is necessary to assist individual members and clubs in our district to solve problems that fall within the jurisdiction of the AMA.
Our district is honored to have the International Flying Site and the AMA headquarters in our backyard. The flying site has been improved and is busy all the time.
I am a Fellow of the academy, and a member of the Hall of Fame. There are 18 members of the AMA in my family; 12 of us competed at the 2005 NATS.
If you have questions, contact me: 708-457-0565; FAX 708-457-2177; e-mail: [email protected].
District VIII Vice President
Guy C. Barber El Paso, Texas
I have been involved in aviation my entire life. I soloed an R/C model at the age of five, and participated in numerous flying activities within the R/C world to include gliders, helicopters, scale, racing, IMAC, and I will soon have my turbine rating. I am a full-scale pilot with experience in building experimental aircraft.
My involvement with the AMA includes being a former AMA District VII AVP, and holding the positions of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer at the local club level.
Being from the far west corner of Texas I have first-hand experience with the fact that outlying clubs feel neglected and out of touch with the AMA. I will be actively in touch with the clubs in my district.
I and many other AMA members feel that the Executive Council is out of touch with the current evolution of the hobby. We have grown from the days when everything was based around small glow-fueled airplanes. We have large-scale aircraft, helicopters, turbine aircraft, and many other facets of the hobby represented by special interest groups.
If elected, I pledge to represent the numerous SIGs and also to address the following issues:
- The average age of the current membership is increasing every year. It is imperative that we reach out and appeal to the interests of our younger citizens.
- Flying sites are being lost on a monthly basis. The current flying site assistance program can be made to work better.
I am currently in the recreational vehicle delivery business. I have successfully started and managed small businesses and have a strong background in accounting, advertising, management and dealing with local governments.
Together with the participation of District VIII's membership, we can and will make a noticeable improvement in our hobby so future generations can enjoy it, as I have, for years to come.
Lawrence Harville Hurst, Texas
My name is Lawrence Harville. I am a candidate for the Vice President position of AMA District 8.
I have been a modeler since the early 1960s when I started flying control line and much later radio control. I am an active R/C modeler and compete in several events every year. Over the years, I have flown control line, gliders, free flight, combat control line, combat R/C, pattern events, fun flies, electric planes and helicopters, but my main interest for the last several years has been R/C scale competition.
I have been a member of many clubs: Dallas R/C, Greater Southwest Aero Modelers, Mid Cities R/C, One Fifth Air Force and the Fort Worth Thunderbirds. I am very active in several model clubs and organizations; in the past I have served as president, newsletter editor, club contest director, auctioneer, and about anything else the club needed.
I bring to the Vice President position a dedication to the members of District 8 and to the AMA. I have friends and contacts all over the district and will do my best to serve your interests with the AMA.
My profession is education. I have been a high school band director, a high school principal and now work as the Risk Director for our local school district. With my background and your help together we can make AMA serve you better.
I will focus on District 8 members, and I will listen to you when you have a concern.
I am requesting your endorsement and I would appreciate your vote.
Jim Rice San Antonio, Texas
I am James H. Rice III, AMA Life Member #463, a resident of San Antonio, TX and have been the owner of 2nd Chance Hobbies for nearly 11 years. I am a retired Army Colonel with 26 years service, and a graduate of the Air War College, with a BS in Mathematics from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and an MS in Human Resource Management from Troy State University.
My wife Linda, son Gary and grandsons Ian and Devin Black are all AMA members. My Dad, Jimmy, was a modeler for 75 years. I began flying C/L with him at age 3 and progressed to R/C in 1957. I am an AMA Leader Member, Contest Director, D-VIII Safety Coordinator, and Associate VP. My current modeling interests are electric R/C (emphasis on indoor), Giant Scale and 3D. I have hosted and sponsored six annual events in memory of my father, which celebrate modeling in general.
My youthful start in modeling and AMA fostered my continuing interest in expanding youth membership programs, and incentives within AMA to gain and maintain their interest and participation in aeromodelling. While the future of our great hobby truly lies in today's youth, you and I as the Open and Senior members must be the mentors of tomorrow's modelers by imparting building, piloting, and safety skills.
My district volunteer work has whetted my appetite for even more meaningful work and heightened my interest in serving in the broader and more important role of the District VIII VP. As your representative on the AMA Executive Council, I will solicit, convey and present the majority will of the D‑VIII members before the council on all meaningful issues. Junior, Open, or Senior members—all are of equal and vital importance to AMA and, if I am elected, I promise that I will fairly and honestly represent each of you.
District X Vice President
Richard Hanson (Incumbent) Scottsdale, Arizona
Richard Hanson, VP Dist X, Leader Member #69547:
Over the past thirteen years I've had the privilege of serving the members 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 have long upheld that the single greatest challenge facing the hobby is the acquisition, retention and development of aeromodeling flying sites. Nowhere is this issue more prevalent and compelling than in the highly urbanized areas of District X. And though we have made some enroads towards addressing this issue, we continue to see an ongoing decline in the number of viable flying sites.
Though I had not originally planned to run for another term, the Academy's need for effective leadership with a clear focus on the vision for the future is greater than ever. Far-reaching environmental and sociological changes around us pose significant impediments to the continuation of our hobby/sport.
The members of the AMA deservedly expect the officers of the organization to resourcefully address these issues and chart a clear course for the future of the Academy. It is to this end that I seek your support in reelection to the office of District X Vice President.
With your support, I will strive to elevate AMA's support for our local organizations and I pledge to continue advocating the interests of District X and will ardently endeavor for the preservation and advancement of model aviation.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
