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Since I thought so much more of the guy, I'm surprised at Syd for his negative
comments especially since we've had this off list conversation some time ago.
I would hate to think that his earlier suggestions really meant shut up and go
away with this stuff. Syd, thanks for taking the time from your restoration
project to add something beneficial to this discussion, I sincerely hoped for
your ideas and looked forward to your guidance with this subject. Oh yes, and
I feel that this discussion time is valuable to everyone, that's why I spend
the time here. You need to also. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to enlist
some help with your cause after showing where opinions lay?
What puzzles me how I've tried to gather info and how some have attempted to
turn it into a personal thing. Really there is no need for this to be
personal. Matter of fact I think it would be to the club's benefit if it
stayed a discussion and not become personal. What is the problem with that?
Why can't that be done? Is no one permitted to question EOC actions when
wrongs are evident? Could this be a territorial thing? Jesus, I hope not,
there's nothing to gain by being territorial about EOC! Let's please leave it
at a fact finding and opinion gathering discussion so that it doesn't become
ugly and remember that whatever the outcome, it should only be good for
everyone involved. At the very least, EOC supporters should be realizing the
amount of great info being passed and that the club exists because of the
members, the members don't exist because of the club. So far, it appears that
the club is as closed minded as I state. PLEASE prove me wrong, for your own
benefit. I don't mind an ass kicking.
This is not personal, I'm not attacking anyone and I'd appreciate it if not I'm
attacked, it just ain't right! What it's doing is preventing some people from
posting their opinions. That's not a good thing. My statement about not
working with some people was not intended to be an attack or a provocation. If
you interpreted it that way, step back and ask yourself why. I don't need to
know, you do.
Okay some background. In my opinion only, the type club did a major disservice
to the owners when a few things went down. First, the Model D thing slipped
thru. I know, I know, it couldn't be helped. Even though that the poorest of
excuses it happened! Unfortunately what's done is done and it'll take some
fresh talent to fix. On the latest SB, a personal opinion was expressed and
that personal opinion was taken by the ruling party as the opinion of the type
club. (I guess they didn't realize it was only a social club.) Not a good
thing. How I found out about it was that a colleague within FAA immediately
emailed me about it, actually chastising me about how absolutely ridiculous the
statement was. Wanted to know if I was part of that "*&^%+$ - &#"
organization. Can you imagine that? If not please try, it was most
embarrassing!
These two items got my goat good enough to stir up the memories of crap gone by
and got me wall kicking. Shut it down last time by suggestion, maybe I was
over reacting. When such a disservice is done to so many people that depend on
guidance, my axe comes out, it's in my history. But if anyone is under the
impression that I think I can change the world via axe grinding they're
mistaken.
True, that I was a 1 term director. Only took me 1 term to see what goes on
and to get out. No, I don't want to become King of the Ercoupers so don't
worry, but I do want my fellow serfs to have it as good as it can be. And
again, in my opinion, there's so much more that can be offered and done. That
leads to the big question "Why won't Al just bend over and work with the
current club if he thinks he knows it all?". Well, if I thought for ten
seconds that my progressive thinking, can-do attitude, fresh ideas (did I
mention can-do attitude) and thirst for what's right and just would actually
benefit the members and forge a future, I would. Should I do it regardless of
personal feelings? Honestly, the discussion just about convinced me to (and
it's there in a message) after the good dialogue was started. Now? Obvious
I'd be going into a den where there were some pissed off lions with their own
claws to sharpen. But if I did, and I'm not saying I won't, the people whose
best interests I'd have, should know I'd still be the same Al DeMarzo and not
afraid of being scratched or mauled! (Is that good or bad? No official polls,
please!)
It's interesting how some become so defensive when in a discussion there is
some criticism hurled about the EOC. It's interesting to see how some folks
are satisfied with the status quo and can't foresee any other benefits than
what is now being provided. Interesting that some fail to see any merit in my
points so they'll refuse to work with me, regardless of talents or lack of
them. But what's extremely encouraging is to see that most realize that the
only thing constant is change and it doesn't cost anything to toss ideas out
there. Where those ideas end up is still in the future. But in any event,
it's all good if you make it good for you.
So guys, we can all very easily turn up the heat, so let's not make this into a
dogfight, that wasn't the intent. There's no need for it, I expect more for
you and it would benefit everyone less than if it were not discussed at all.
Al DeMarzo
Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy
http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: Syd Cohen
Cc: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-flyin] I Support EOC
Folks, I am absolutely amazed that a thread that started with
"I said it's nuts for a coupe owner to have to sell his D-model
and buy a C-model to get in the light sport. He agreed and said that
once it got though that he would make my suggestion. So there still may
be some hope. But I think that it would take a very big push from a
big group of people to get it done."
to evolve into bashing the EOC for not doing more to get the FAA to allow
D's to be brought back to C's, and then bashing the EOC in general. I've kept
silent so far on this, but maybe I need to speak up. I think we know that Al
has an ax to grind in almost all of his comments, especially the ones that have
to do with the EOC. Frankly, I'm sick of these comments. I've said for years,
there are two kinds of people, talkers and doers. So Al was a Director for a
few years and put on a fly-in. Big deal. I've been a Wing Leader for many
years, Regional Director for many years, put on the 1993 Nationals, led the
flight of Ercoupes into Oshkosh for 15 years, coordinated the banquet,
maintenance forum and Type Club Table at Oshkosh for many years, and am now
coordinating the banquet, maintenance forum and Type Club Table at Sun N Fun,
plus I'm putting on the Nationals at Wausau this summer. If all this talk and
energy for the past few days had been spent on something constructive, like
working with EAA to get the FAA to modify the Sport rules, we probably would be
at least half way there already. Actually, though, we have accomplished
nothing. I'm also amazed that some of you have the time to sit at your
computers all day long and compose emails. Excuse me, I have a Waco CG-4A to
restore, and I only get about 30 minutes a day to look at emails. I'm off to
my hangar. I also support the EOC and I keep working to make it better.
Syd
Andy Anderson wrote:
I agree with Lee.
If you are going to "talk the talk", you should be willing to "walk the
walk".
There are a few - very few- people on this list that seem to only be
interested in EOC bashing.
They say they want to "improve" the club, but are unwilling to work with
its leadership.
AJ DeMarzo has publicly stated that he "will not work with either Skip or
Carolyn for love or money" and that is his prerogative,
By the same token, I will publicly state that I will not work with AJ
DeMarzo in his quest to - in my opinion - harm EOC.
I know that he says that is not his intent but if it were not true, I
believe, he should be willing to work within the club.
He is making a statement which proves to me that he does not have the best
interests of EOC as a motive.
Supporters of EOC will be willing to provide properly directed suggestions
for improvement.
Bashing EOC on this list is not the way to cause improvements.
Sending your ideas or suggestions to your region director or directly to
Skip or Carolyn is proper.
.
I support EOC and its leadership.
I would like to see this topic flooded with similar one line comments from
EOC members who agree.
Only then will the few know how the majority feel. By remaining silent you
are helping fuel the flames.
Andy Anderson
Dues paid EOC Member &
Arkansas Wing Leader
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
AJ DeMarzo
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 10:37 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-flyin] EOC
Hi Lee;
Any "negative" comments from this author are to be taken as constructive
criticism not personal attacks, of which I'm very capable of launching. I'd
like to see things improve. And NO, at this time I will not work with either
Skip and Carolyn for love or money, nor will I discourage anyone from
performing this service. It's like owning a polished airplane. Everyone needs
to do it - - - - once!
I know my statements make no sense but you have to look at them hard!
(Go over the numbers a bit more.)
Al DeMarzo
Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy
http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 9:15 PM
Subject: [ercoupe-flyin] EOC
As I said before, if they have an input which in their opinion will be of
interest, it is reasonable that it will be posted. Perhaps they have posted an
input and received a caustic critical unwarranted response. That has occurred
in the past and some are turned off by such responses and don't post again.
That is only a supposition of course.
There seems to be quite a bit of negative comments relative to the EOC
operation and some positive suggestions to improve it. Will those criticizing
the current operation step up and volunteer their time to coordinate the
positive suggestions through Skip and Carolyn and then work with them to
implement them?
Wayne, I offer a constructive suggestion, when you post someone's comment,
post all of it and not just part.
Lee
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