Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Below is a post that Bob Kuczewski made to the OZ Report.



We don't have many contested elections this year, so we're not likely to see great changes in USHPA.

However, Region 3 is again hotly contested, so I wanted to share a recommendation that I've shared with the Torrey Hawks. Any additional comments are welcome.

Bob Kuczewski:Hello Fellow Hawks,

I've had a few people ask me about recommendations for the current Regional Director election. My first response is you should always vote your own conscience.

But if anyone wants to know what would be best for the Hawks, I'll give you my assessment.

The best choices for the Hawks would be:

Jerry Katz
Rob Sporrer

Jerry Katz has been very supportive of the Hawks and he's been to a few of our joint functions with other clubs. He's been to some of the recent Park Service meetings, and he's got a long history in hang gliding (I believe he was the first person to fly 100 miles in a hang glider!). In addition to his support of the Hawks, Jerry is in favor of open voting by the USHPA Board so we can know what they're doing. For all those reasons, he's my favorite choice.

Rob Sporrer has been fairly neutral with regard to the Hawks. I first met him at a board meeting almost 2 years ago when I was just a regular pilot and he took the time to listen. He's also endorsed open voting by the USHPA board. Rob has not been supportive of the Hawks, but he hasn't opposed us either. That's not a bad second choice in this case.

Brad Hall, on the other hand has really been our worst nightmare. He's a hang glider pilot, but he's done everything he could to work against our club. He appointed David Jebb's choice (a paraglider only pilot) to the Soaring Council. He's written letters to the San Diego City Council advising them not to add the Hawks to the Advisory Board (fortunately, he was ignored). He's voted against adding the Hawks to the Soaring Council. He's been opposed to the Hawks' participation in discussions regarding beach landings at Torrey. He's refused to provide any of his correspondence with the City Council or the Mayor's office (and it had to be requested directly through the City). He's refused to even speak with me, and he's hung up the phone on me when I've called. I could go on and on.

Now I don't mind if a Director doesn't want to help a club or a sport at Torrey. But to actively work against us and against fair representation for our sport has crossed the line. For that reason, I cannot endorse Brad Hall in any way.

But you may know another side of Brad than I do. As I said at the beginning, you should vote your own conscience. But if you want to know what would help me as a Director and as the Hawks club President, I would recommend Katz and Sporrer.

Thanks for your time. Whatever you do, please take the time to vote your own conscience. USHPA belongs to us only if we're willing to vote for it.

Sincerely,
Bob Kuczewski

I'm more than uncomfortable listening to forum postings that bash the other side because there are alway 2 sides to the story. When I read this kind of stuff it makes me want to also point out the mistakes made by the person writing it. But that would be doing the same thing, wouldn't it.

greblo wrote:I'm more than uncomfortable listening to forum postings that bash the other side because there are alway 2 sides to the story. When I read this kind of stuff it makes me want to also point out the mistakes made by the person writing it. But that would be doing the same thing, wouldn't it.

Totally agree.

Allen

I'm going to jump to the conclusion that at least one person believes that 99% of my original post was inappropriate/inflamatory/unproductive, etc. In hindsight, that person is probably correct.

My primary purpose in the original post was to encourage everyone to VOTE! I personally don't care who you vote for, including a write-in.

There are obviously some strong opinions on issues affecting Region 3. USPHA Region 3 members should at least familarize themselves with the topic and then vote. Each nominated individual has had their position published in the lastest issue of the USHPA mag - so you can read their polished statements.

While I probably should have included comments from Brad Hall - you will notice that it took Brad only 5:24 to post his response/perspective. So now you have two perspectives - and contrary to what is said - I believe there are MORE than 2 sides to any story. It is every voters responsibility to make up their own mind.

Don I agree with you the are always three sides to any story in this case it is his and his story and that true,

Joe Greblo wrote:I'm more than uncomfortable listening to forum postings that bash the other side because there are alway 2 sides to the story. When I read this kind of stuff it makes me want to also point out the mistakes made by the person writing it. But that would be doing the same thing, wouldn't it.

Joe,

You have had my deepest respect for many years, and that continues to this day. Your open posting of your apology to Hungary Joe was first class, and it caused me to pile even more respect onto the mountain of it that I already have for you.

But the situation at Torrey is one that you do not know as well as I do. You have not seen Brad Hall in the light that I've seen him. He came on this forum and made thinly veiled accusations against me. They were so thinly veiled that another pilot instantly recognized that they were directed at me and contacted me. So I came to this forum and asked Brad for clarification. He did what he has done so many times when asked a direct question - he ran and hid. That's not what a Regional Director should do.

I apologize for bringing this matter to the Sylmar Forum, but Brad Hall has not been willing to work with me on anything. I didn't see Brad Hall at any of the recent Forest Service meetings up here in LA (Jerry Katz was there). Brad Hall has not been willing to support open voting on the USHPA board (Jerry Katz has). Brad Hall has refused to respond to my direct questions (Jerry Katz answers every question that I ask him).

And these are not Torrey issues. These are "will Brad work with me to improve USHPA" issues. And the answer is no, Brad will not work with me on anything, and he will not even talk with me about anything. He's a bitter, stubborn, buddy of David Jebb who resents me because I challenged Jebb and won. Even if you remove me from those statements, that's not the kind of person we should have representing our pilots at USHPA.

Brad Hall has surely done some good things for the sport. But the person that he has become is not the person that many of you may have known in the past. I'm sorry to say that, but I believe that's the case.

Finally, I know that politics is messy, but ignoring politics is even messier in the long run. I know that I've made lots of mistakes, and when I'm up for re-election, I'm sure they'll all be discussed - as they should. But this year it's Brad's turn to stand before us and answer for what he's done. I think this is how we get better leaders and a better USHPA. If anyone knows a better way, please don't keep it a secret. Governments, businesses, and organizations around the world would surely like to know about it!!

Open accountability, as messy as it is, is the only path to better government.

Bob Kuczewski

Having been flying since 1972, I have a good idea of what it means to fly and what our organizations needs.
I have have the time and desire to represent ALL pilots and would apprecitate your vote.
Thank You
Jerry Katz

katzflys wrote:Having been flying since 1972, I have a good idea of what it means to fly and what our organizations needs.
I have have the time and desire to represent ALL pilots and would apprecitate your vote.
Thank You
Jerry Katz

Hi Jerry, If I were to give you my vote what would you do for us .I mean ,what In your Opinion is our organizations needs .and will you try to open up Torry to H3's Thank you for taking the time to answer my Questions. Regards Oscar

Hi Oscar

Thanks for the posting..To answer your questions, I believe hang 3s should be able to fly Torrey Pines with the proper signoffs.
I also back Bob's Accountability Amendment to make our votes open to the members.

I am a volunteer for the Forest Service and if elected as regional director, I will work to open more sites and to keep the ones we have open.
I have no hidden agenda and will be open to discussion with the members and all their concerns.
I will work and co-operate with all the other directors for the benifit of all flyers.....
Thank you

Jerry Katz

Hello Jerry,

I am glad we are finally hearing your point of view. I am also glad you realize that being a RD has a lot of responsibilities beyond Torrey Pines.
Being a volunteer for the Forest Service seems like a great asset. What is it you do and how can you be of assistance with the current State Parks crisis? What other qualifications do you bring to your candidacy beyond being an aged pilot like me? I have found my 35 years flying HG'ers to be an asset also. Being able to work within the community of pilots and flying sites, without doing any damage to either, will also go a long way. I have to admit I have not heard your name in many years, although I am well aware of your accomplishments in the 70's and 80's. I have always been in awe of your 100 miler. I think a friendly exchange of ideas and points of view, absent from others opinions, would be a positive. How about you?
Brad

Brad,

1. Jerry mentioned that he would support the proposed Accountability Amendment. That proposed amendment would make our votes (as Regional Directors) public so our members could see how we've voted. It's been posted that one of our Region 3 members called you to ask if you would support it and that you said you would not. Could you please explain your stance on that?

2. You have refused to talk with me (walking away at Board meetings, hanging up the phone on me, refusing to answer email messages, etc.) regarding a variety of topics. Our Region needs Directors that will work together. If you are re-elected can we expect a continuation of your refusal to work and communicate with me as a fellow Regional Director?

3. On another web site you've called me a liar. I have asked for examples that justify that kind of accusation. You have refused to respond to those questions. If you are re-elected, will you continue to make these kinds of unfounded accusations and continue to refuse to answer challenges to those accusations?

4. In early 2008, you had a series of communications with the San Diego City Council, Soaring Council, and possibly others. Portions of these communications were "leaked" by someone in your circle of friends. You were asked to provide a complete record of your communications and you refused. Eventually some of these were obtained by asking a member of the City Council. If you are re-elected, how can we be sure that we know what you are doing? Will you make a pledge to be open with all of your communications and votes?

5. In 2007 and 2008 David Beardslee (a friend of yours?) was kicked out of Torrey Pines for life without a written explanation. I was kicked out for a year. In both cases no written reasons were given - despite numerous requests. At the time, you were USHPA's representative to the Soaring Council (until you were removed earlier this year), and you refused to bring these matters to the Council for fair review. How will you conduct yourself differently if you are re-elected for another two years?

6. Did you negotiate a "deal" at Torrey that would allow only Jebb's (or Robin's) paragliding students to land on the beach but would subject all other pilots (all hang gliding and most paragliding) to being ticketed and fined for doing exactly the same thing? Did you consult with myself (as a fellow Director), or with the members of the Region, or with the local clubs in negotiating that "deal"? If you did not consult with those groups in conducting those negotiations, then how can you assure us that you will not continue this pattern in the future?

7. In the fall of 2007 (when the Torrey Hawks were first applying for USHPA Chapter status) did you propose a change to the USHPA SOP's that would require all new Chapters to be approved by a local Regional Director? And if you did, then why did you withdraw that proposal after you learned that the Torrey Hawks had already been granted Chapter status?

Friends at Sylmar, Brad Hall may come on here and make nice flowery speeches about motherhood and apple pie (protecting sites, opening Torrey...). That's exactly what any politician will do. But I've seen how he conducts himself when he's not asking for your votes, and that's a much different Brad Hall. So don't judge him by his nice speeches. Judge him by how he handles (or dodges) the tough questions. Take a look at how he's conducted himself in the past. If we want a better USHPA, then we have to ask these tough questions and we have to demand real answers. I didn't know Jerry in his early days (and I didn't know Brad then either), but the Jerry that I know now has been a straight shooter and would not dodge these tough questions. He would communicate openly and not make back door deals favoring one group of pilots over another. Whether you like Jerry or not, I think you'll know where he stands. If you value that at all, please vote for Jerry Katz.

Brad Hall wrote:Hello Jerry,

I am glad we are finally hearing your point of view. I am also glad you realize that being a RD has a lot of responsibilities beyond Torrey Pines.
Being a volunteer for the Forest Service seems like a great asset. What is it you do and how can you be of assistance with the current State Parks crisis? What other qualifications do you bring to your candidacy beyond being an aged pilot like me? I have found my 35 years flying HG'ers to be an asset also. Being able to work within the community of pilots and flying sites, without doing any damage to either, will also go a long way. I have to admit I have not heard your name in many years, although I am well aware of your accomplishments in the 70's and 80's. I have always been in awe of your 100 miler. I think a friendly exchange of ideas and points of view, absent from others opinions, would be a positive. How about you?
Brad

MAKE TORRY H.G. FRIENDLY!!! VOTE FOR KATZ!!! ROME

Rome Dodson wrote:MAKE TORRY H.G. FRIENDLY!!! VOTE FOR KATZ!!! ROME

Rome, you're my new hero at Sylmar!! Thanks for speaking up!!

By the way, I still have a ton of historical information that you've given me, and I just wanted to make a public declaration that I still have it and I still have a duty to return it to you. Thanks for sharing that with me as well.

[quote="Rome Dodson"]MAKE TORRY H.G. FRIENDLY!!! VOTE FOR KATZ!!! ROME[/quote I'm with you Rome I'm voting for Jerry . After reveiwing the "evidence" it's clear to me KATZ FOR RD

OSCAR wrote:

Rome Dodson wrote:MAKE TORRY H.G. FRIENDLY!!! VOTE FOR KATZ!!! ROME

I'm with you Rome I'm voting for Jerry . After reveiwing the "evidence" it's clear to me KATZ FOR RD

Thanks Oscar. I think that's the right choice. If nothing else, I think Jerry will at least work with me as a fellow Regional Director. We may not agree on everything, but at least we can talk to each other like civilized adults. Brad Hall has refused to do that on many occasions.

Thanks again,
Bob Kuczewski