letter I wrote to the King County Executive Mr. Ron Sims, King County Executive King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, Room 400 Seattle, WA 98104
Dear Mr. Sims, I’m writing to urge you to preserve the nationally-famous 60 Acres site for the use of aeromodelers. This site has long been a resource for model builders and pilots from the Seattle area, and in fact from everywhere in this country, Canada, and internationally. I’m sure you have read the recent feature articles in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times about the increasing importance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in our defense systems and the fight against terrorism. These vehicles, some of which are being developed and built by Boeing and other companies located in your area, are outgrowths of technology created and perfected by gifted amateurs from the world of modeling. Many famous innovators in modeling are from your area and are users of 60 Acres. The Pacific Northwest has traditionally been a wellspring of creativity and excellence in modeling. Numerous graduate schools of aerodynamics engage every year in competitions for designs of airplanes, helicopters, flying robots, and UAVs that use principles and technology developed by modelers. Many of them use off-the-shelf components, electronics, and construction materials that came into existence to serve the “hobby” market. Of course, while modeling can serve a serious purpose and contribute to our country’s technological growth, most participants are in it for recreation. It is a terrific avocation, combining technical skills, physical activity, limitless opportunity for experimentation, and outdoor fun. Modeling programs have engaged countless kids in programs all over this country and throughout the world. Perhaps when you were a grade-schooler, somebody came to your school or Scout pack and helped all the kids build and fly AMA Cubs or hand-launch gliders. I won’t debate the proposed use for the site. I’ll only say that there must be some way you can build your proposed facility that won’t destroy 60 Acres and its long tradition as a premier site for model aviation. Yours truly.... __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
