Bullsheet - September 2003

We’d like to thank John Marien for the time he served the SNHRCC as President. John recently turned over the reins to me due to time constraints in his new job. Although John has stepped aside as President we know that he will continue to be a valued member of this club in the future.

Our club has been fortunate to have dedicated members and we want to especially recognize the recent winners of the Weightlifting Challenge, Harry, Ray, John and Rich. They donated their first place prize money back to the club treasury. Thanks, guys, that was a nice gesture. Everyone in attendance had a good time and we hope to continue this event and other contests with a lot of participation.

Now that we got all the good stuff taken care of, on to other business. Stifle those groans, gentlemen, you know if it has to be said, that, I, who am known to be a bit shy in expressing any views, now must tell you of the latest goings on.

Levity aside, the picnic we held for the Flying Tigers at the field was well attended, by the Flying Tigers! Conspicuous by their absence were the members of the SNHRCC. This is tantamount to inviting friends to your house for dinner and then you don't show up and put no meal on the table. Where were the SNHRCC guys and gals? There were no excuses that we could make up to excuse only 4 or 5 of our members being present and 21 of their club members showing up for a picnic, which, by the way, was put together as the Derry club started to show up. It turned out okay as far as the food went, thanks to Harry and Rich and a few donations from outside the club, but it was a poor turnout and one that should never be repeated.

Even more serious, from the Town of Hudson. The Hudson Highway Superintendent was very unhappy with the cut fence. Someone placed our flying field in serious jeopardy by cutting the fence to retrieve a plane or planes. This is an extremely serious issue and one that everyone should be aware of. It's not a question of “Don’t do that, I don’t like it or we, a few members don’t like it!”;

The State of New Hampshire Field Inspectors do not like it.

The State routinely inspects sites such as ours and they found the cut fence, reported it to the Town of Hudson and to the Highway Superintendent, who in turn called me. This is a recorded infraction. We don't want to mess around with these guys and if this type of behavior continues we could lose the field. Once lost, we won’t get it back again. Additionally this has far reaching consequences. Other clubs have been working in their own towns to set up flying fields like ours on reclaimed land fill sites, it could affect their chances also. I did a band-aid job on it to pacify the town until it could be fixed and then Harry rode in on his white horse and saved the day. Okay, guys, let’s hear it for Harry. A repeated caution, infractions such as this one could lose the field for us. The Town of Hudson and the State of NH should not have to keep checking up on reports of misconduct at the field by the very people to whom the field was loaned. This is a very serious problem and one that cannot be taken lightly. It’s my club and it’s your club, my field and your field and OUR responsibility to protect its future.

Another word of caution, or should we say, BEWARE. There should be absolutely no flying in back of the flight line (in back of the fence) with fuel powered aircraft. Only electrics and gliders, you know, silent aircraft on that site. Members need to police themselves. We shouldn’t have to keep repeating those rules of field use that everyone should already know, but obviously some choose to ignore. Violators will be expelled from the club. If you feel that you don't have enough room to fly in front of the field then please find another club where you can fly in any direction that you want, over any homes that you want and do as you please regardless of the consequences to the other club members who are considerate, follow the rules and enjoy their field. We have tried to be accommodating to the homes in the area and it had been duly noted by the Town of Hudson. However, noise pollution is a matter that we have to be very much aware of and those who violate the rules of the club need to be dealt with. Again, this type of behavior jeopardizes our club and makes us look like a bunch of idiots with no respect for anything except the fun derived from the moment. Paying dues does not give you an entitlement to do what you want to do, when you want to do it and flout the rules. Think about it!

Giving out your keys to non-members has to stop. If we are having difficulty in handling our own membership problems, how can we handle problems with violators who may not even be club members? Keys are for members, to be turned in when one leaves the club, not to be duplicated or loaned out. Your guests are welcome when you are present, but not on their own and with friends of theirs, again non-members.

All these issues are open for discussion at our meetings and if anyone can come up with solutions or ways of dealing with these problems let’s hear from you.

At our next meeting we are looking for someone to come forward, as a volunteer, of course, to be our Entertainment Chairman. We want someone who can plan to have speakers, movies, demonstrations and anything else that might spark more interest in those members whom we see so rarely. This would be for our indoor meetings and should be an opportunity for someone out there to liven up the evenings. We take no responsibility for “boos” or “raspberries” but know that only kudos would be forthcoming for our Entertainment Chairman, who can certainly enlist help if he wishes. Nice title, isn’t it? Unfortunately we can’t give you a name plaque for your desk, but how about a pat on the back?

I know you’re happy to have me back writing letters to you and if words and phrases such as “rapier like acidic tongue” or “poison pen” blacken your thoughts, forget it, I really am a bit shy and that’s a warning.

I’ve been asked about my agenda. It’s simple:

To help create an active club.
To develop a membership that works together whether it’s volunteering for clean up, social activities or helping the new guy on the block.
Mainly, it’s getting the President’s message out to you, praise and otherwise.
It’s getting your questions answered and your complaints aired through the President’s Scribbles. Some of you have asked, “why”, “how come”, “why don't we...”, “how about...”, etc. Some of you hesitate to speak up at meetings, so my agenda is to get it out in the open and work with all of you on solutions to the many issues that will come up.

Maybe we can’t fix everything, maybe we can’t fix much, but we can keep on trying. My agenda is that simple and my phone works, so speak up, what’s on your mind?

Until the meeting, have a good day,