District I Report
Coverage
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Vice President
Andy Argenio Vice President 3 Sheila Lane Smithfield, RI 02917 Home: (401) 231-6901 Work: (401) 231-5380 Email: [email protected] District I website: www.amadistrict1.com
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 Quanacut 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]
Message from the Vice President
I want to thank all AMA members who voted in the 2004 election. I especially applaud the voting members of District I. We had a 33% increase in voter participation from 2001 to 2004. Congratulations! Many members who had never voted before stepped up and made a difference.
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 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 that will benefit all clubs and members.
My first order of business was selecting district officers. I sent letters to all 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 two associate vice presidents (AVPs) to represent Massachusetts and two for Connecticut. The other states would have one AVP each. A number of qualified members applied for these limited positions, and as of this writing, all 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 their specialty area.
The district’s interim website—www.amadistrict1.com—is up and running and will eventually provide us with a valuable informational resource and communication link between district officers, clubs, and members. If you want to contribute to the 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 email 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.
Frank V. Ponteri — AVP, Rhode Island and Northern Connecticut
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 tell you a little about myself. I began flying RC model aircraft in 1956 with a Citizenship single-channel 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.
Ed Faria — AVP, Southeastern Massachusetts
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 problems 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.”
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
