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<DIV><FONT size=2>I would like to thank Eric for the nice complement in his
comment, "<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>To circumvent this
conflict of interest problem and to keep the Nationals above reproach, I steeped
out of line and asked Don Ramsey to independently choose the judges, Dave could
not refuse this method, but I will tell you that he got extremely mad at me for
doing it."</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=2></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>I must respond
that for good or bad I've been choosing the finals judges for many years.
I started that process when Jeff Hill was Event Director. It must also
be stated that I've never had any pressure of any kind
from contest management regarding who I choose to judge. I try to
pick the best candidates and rotate those so no single judge can influence the
outcome extradionarly.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Don</SPAN></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT
size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=pattern4u@comcast.net href="mailto:pattern4u@comcast.net">Grow
Pattern</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org
href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, June 22, 2007 2:55 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [NSRCA-discussion] Chapter-5
Going too far.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>What could the NSRCA do beyond banning
me from judging for two years, and blocking me as a judge at the Don Lowe
Masters?<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Well that was not enough for the
powers that be in NSRCA board country.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>To the best of my knowledge, the NSRCA
board met and voted to have me NOT cover the Nationals. This is more serious
because it does impact my income. I am not sure, but I believe that they also
wanted me removed as the MA columnist.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>I do know that Richard Landis wanted
this to happen. I had asked his son’s sponsors why there was so much
aggression to win and I think that he feared I would print something in MA. It
does not matter if the NSRCA or MA was lobbied to do things to me.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It does matter that all of this was done to a valid
member of the NSRCA who was given no opportunity to represent himself on an
accusation of biased judging.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>One thing I was told was that I did
not mention Dave Guerin enough in my reports. Excuse me! I have plastered Dave
Guerin’s contribution in every publication at every available opportunity. I
was even able to get Nationals information coverage for Dave in my column
BEFORE the event. That hasn’t happened very
often--BTW!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>During the event, I photograph and
feature as many pilots as the print space allows. I particularly like to
salute the workers who make the Nationals successful. Ironically I have
featured both Dave Lockhart and Dan Landis in my on-line Nat’s reports, Daily
Nat’s news, Pattern columns and the K-factor.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>In 2006, I ran a theme of 402-404 with
the intent of more FAI complete coverage in my next pattern column. If Dave
Lockhart did not see his name in the column it was because he did not place
high enough to be part of the story. The battle between the top 5 was the most
interesting story. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">If you go back and read my 2006 Nationals coverage,
which is still on-line at the AMA web-site, you will see that I even posted a
picture of Dan Landis and his airplane. You will see that it sports the logo,
"Leader of the pack". <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rather
appropriate since the wolves are baying at my door these
days.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">They have succeeded at all that they set out to do
so far. If they silence my MA pen, then I will just fade away -
right!</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The egos of the people involved do not let them see
what is wrong about what they do. If you challenge them or do not stroke them
enough, you can NOW pay the price. You also might be wondering why they wanted
to shut me up.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Speaking of paying the price, I need to close with
why I resigned from the NSRCA board. I felt really bad for walking away from
things that were not right. I apologize to all of the people that voted for
me, but I was in a personally shocking and unworkable ethical
jam.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Dave Guerin and I used to be friends.
I spent a lot of money with him. Then I made the mistake of buying a couple of
Impacts and Pinnacles. I really liked them. They flew better than anything
else I had ever had. Plus they stayed together and required minimal
maintenance. Then I made a bigger mistake by featuring them. I believe that
this was seen as very disloyal on my part. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I made the decision a long time ago to not be
sponsored by any vendor. It has been hard, but I kept my independence as a
writer no matter what price or the cost!</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>At the 2005 Nationals I was the
NSRCA/AMA interface. I had to work closely with Dave Guerin. I got into a big
argument with Dave over his way of selecting the finals judges and judges in
general. I understand that what he was doing may be acceptable some but it did
not seem right to me.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Both the scoring folks and I saw Dave
scanning judge’s sheets to see who scored what pilot. Dave was pretty vocal
when he found low scores for his protégés. I will probably get into trouble if
I say who his favorites were but suffice it to say that they were in Masters
and FAI flying his planes or planes he made or modified for them. (Do your own
research). Everyone knows that Dave has pilots that he supported, gave or sold
a plane to etc. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>To circumvent this conflict of
interest problem and to keep the Nationals above reproach, I steeped out of
line and asked Don Ramsey to independently choose the judges, Dave could not
refuse this method, but I will tell you that he got extremely mad at me for
doing it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>From previous personal conversations I
knew that Dave had an unofficial list of judges who would NOT be used because
he considered that they were biased towards certain pilots and biased against
other pilots. You would be amazed who was/is on this unofficial list. It is a
who’s who of senior pattern guys and includes a bunch of current NSRCA
district VP’s. Now that there is an official NSRCA list, I wonder how long I
will remain alone on this list.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>This was serious stuff so I tried to
get Lamar to listen to what was troubling me about this behavior. He would not
listen, Instead he was listening to Dave. He would not take my phone calls or
respond to my e-mails. I could not figure out why Lamar was not responding.,
He had asked me to be his VP because he wanted to know what was going on and
what needed fixing.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>The 2006 Nationals needed a Director
with no conflict of interest. I could not figure out why he was blowing me off
until I was told that Dave was doing some wings and stabs for Lamar. Once
there was a hint of a business relationship--I knew I was
sunk.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>These things are always a bit grey. It
was just obvious to me that there was a clear and present possibility of
conflict of interest and we needed a better
choice.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>When I found out that Dave was most
likely doing work for Lamar’s planes the light went on for me. Yet another
conflict of interest situation? In my mind I could see a strong hint of a
business relationship. I new I was sunk.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">After a couple of months of still trying to do my
job, it was clear that I was cut-off. I resigned in Feb 2006 and thought that
it was all over. That is until I sat in the judges chair in July 2006 and
dared to score what I saw as opposed to what the pilots, and a pilot’s
affluent father wanted.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Despite all of this, I still love
pattern. It is technological and wonderful skill. The airplanes are amazing
and a delight to fly.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>To many minds I was wrong for bucking
the system. I should have gone with the flow way back in 1997. I should never
have become an NSRCA District officer. That’s all hindsight for me now. I am
semi-retired into building and local flying. I know how sausage was made but
they failed to make me into a vegetarian. :-)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Regards,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>Eric.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I fully expect that my old adversaries will jump
all over me for writing about my treatment. I think I was just supposed to
crawl away and die somewhere. I still cannot believe that our organization
would function in such an unfair manner. It also let itself be used by people
with personal grudges rather than do what was right for the sport. I had no
options available to me other than let you all try me in the court of public
opinion. I am sure that they will try and censor this!</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P>
<HR>
<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>NSRCA-discussion
mailing
list<BR>NSRCA-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR>http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion</BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>