[JimC-MD]

Hi Max,

Thanks for putting up the information. I am sorry your club had to go through something like this, but I am also glad it worked out. The unfortunate reality is that this has caused the club to use some of the "good will bank account" with the local government. If another issue were to pop up in the future, it could be more of a challenge.

I have been involved with this hobby since 1985. I started out flying with a small group of guys in a rural (used to be ) area of Norther Virginia. We had nice fields, a great time and no politics. It was sweet. I later managed a hobby shop and got to see the inner workings of more clubs and joined a few. I have always been a pilot and a hobbyist and not a politician. The times I have gotten burned out on the hobby have always been due to politics and have had to remove myself from some clubs. I am in this hobby to have fun and get better as well as help other people learn to enjoy it as much as I do. I have a hard time spending the time and energy on high school tantrums.

The local club here had a huge rift develop years ago and the matter ended up before the local board. ( the main field was located on park property. It was not a great location but still....) The board had to mediate the dispute. It resulted in a split in the club and the majority of those most directly involved are not in the hobby any more. The more damaging impact was not as readily apparent. This Brouhaha gave the board a bellyache for anything RC plane related. Any attempt of a new group to try to get some coordination for a future site was met with rolled eyes and groans. It is a real shame.

We should always keep it mature and in house to the best of out abilities. You are fortunate that there was not a split with "group A" vs. "group B" type of dynamic. I fear the outcome would have been less agreeable.

Let's all try to leave the nasty politics for DC. This is a hobby and there is room for everyone. Talk to each other and work it out.

As a closing note I offer my definition of politics. It comes from two words. "Poli" is the Greek word for "many" and "tics" are blood sucking parasites.