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I WANT to thank all of those AMA
members who voted for their candidates in
the 2004 election. I especially applaud the
voting members of District I. We had a
33% increase in those who voted from
2001 to 2004. Congratulations! You
stepped up to the plate and many who
never voted before decided to make a
difference and did.
I wish Don Krafft well and thank him
for his 19 years of service to AMA and the
members of District I.
The members of District I will be
informed and involved in the decisions
made to accomplish the mission and focus
outlined in my campaign statement. With
more than 120 clubs and 7,500 members in
the district, I will need your help and
advice. Together we can make changes and
improvements in our district that will
benefit all of the clubs and members.
My first order of business was selecting
district officers. I sent letters to all of the
district clubs requesting that any Leader
Members who want to be part of our team,
have the time to visit clubs, attend events,
and discuss AMA club and member issues
should apply.
After considering the demographics of
the district, it was apparent that we needed
to have two associate vice presidents
(AVPs) to represent Massachusetts and two
for Connecticut. The rest of the states would
have one AVP each. A number of qualified
members applied for these limited positions
and as of this writing, all of our officers
have been selected except for one AVP for
Maine.
The district’s Contest Board members
who wanted to retain their current positions
were accepted because each member was
the most qualified and knowledgeable
representative of these specialty areas.
The district’s interim Web site—
www.amadistrict1.com—is up and running
and will eventually provide us with the
most valuable informational resource and
communication link between district
officers, clubs, and members. If you want to
contribute to this site’s development, please
contact webmaster Paul Costa.
A revitalization committee, composed of
AMA club presidents and members who
volunteered, has been established. The
committee’s purpose is to evaluate, discuss,
and help implement procedures that will
accomplish the District I mission.
Please contact me with your E-mail
address if you want to be included in this
online discussion group.
Our district officers will introduce
themselves during the next several months
in this column. These are modest men
whose arms had to be twisted to disclose
their achievements.
Rhode Island’s new AVP, Frank Ponteri,
is ready to test fly this 30% Edge.
“My name is Frank V. Ponteri and I am
proud to accept the AVP position to serve
the Rhode Island and northern Connecticut
area. During the past few years, I have had
the pleasure of meeting many District I
members at various events. In the next few
months, I hope to meet many more.
“For those who do not know me, let me
take this opportunity to tell you a little
about myself. I began flying RC model
aircraft in 1956 with a CitizenShip singlechannel
radio. I have been an active
participant in our hobby as it evolved into
what it is today.
“In 1985, I joined the International
Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA).
During the past nineteen years, I have
served as the IMAA District 2 Director and
IMAA president. I am currently the IMAA
District 1 Director. I am an AMA Leader
Member, CD, and Experimental Aircraft
Inspector.
“My interest is now in building, flying,
and writing articles on Giant Scale aircraft.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with
your problems, concerns, and ideas.”
District I’s new AVP for southeastern
Massachusetts is Ed Faria, seen with his
modified Northstar.
“I am Ed Faria and I will be serving as
AVP for southeastern Massachusetts. I
began flying RC aircraft in 1971 with a
Kraft radio. I enjoy building and modifying
all types of airplanes. Today I fly mostly
1/4-scale or larger sport and aerobatic
models. I have several ducted-fan airplanes
and flying off the water is a favorite passion
of mine.
“I have been an AMA Leader Member
and CD for more than 15 years. I have
attended and flown at nearly all of the major
events held throughout the New England
area.
“Feel free to contact me whenever you
need information or your club or members
have problem or issues requiring
assistance.”
Please share your club’s events and
activities with other District I members.
Send me photos or digital images in the
three-megapixel range with captions
referenced to the photo numbers and a
written report about your event.
The team of district officers will do its
best to make you proud to say you are
members of the number one AMA district. I
look forward to working with the clubs and
meeting members of the district during the
2005 flying season.
“Teamwork is the fuel that allows
common people to produce uncommon
results.”
District I Report
Associate Vice Presidents
Ed Faria, 92 Barrows St., Somerset MA 02725;
(508) 678-6404; [email protected]
James Gilliatt, 533 Lexington Rd., Concord MA
01742; (978) 369-9796;
[email protected]
Robert Langlois, 7 Columbus Ave., Concord NH
03301; (603) 225-9759;
[email protected]
Patrick Libby, Box 494, Ascutney VT 05030; (802)
674-2311; [email protected]
Frank Ponteri, 95-A Quannacut Rd., Westerly RI
02891; (401) 322-8358;
[email protected]
Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan St., Avon CT 06001-2230;
(860) 673-2000; [email protected]
Frequency Coordinator
Kevin Richards, (508) 699-0838;
[email protected]
Educational Coordinator
Ed Spidell, Box 889, Chepachet RI 02814; (401)
567-0344; [email protected]
Webmaster
Paul Costa, 39 Magnolia Dr., Attleboro MA 02760;
(508) 699-0838; [email protected]
Contest Coordinator
Barry Schubert, 34 Potomac Rd., Portsmouth RI
02871-4209; (401) 683-3933;
[email protected]
Connecticut / Maine /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
Rhode Island / Vermont
Andy Argenio
Vice President
3 Sheila Lane
Smithfield RI 02917
Home: (401) 231-6901; Work:
(401) 231-5380; E-mail:
[email protected];
District I Web site: www.amadistrict1.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 152