Miramar Pattern Contest

This weekend I will be at the Miramar RC Flyers field attending their Pattern contest.  I'd love to talk to you about AMA issues and modeling in general.  Please come by I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

Warbird Racing Report

I had a great time last weekend attending the Sacramento Area Modelers Valley of Speed Warbird race.  The SAM club has developed their own brand of racing.  It involves scale warbirds that must comply with a size formula.  There are three classes Gold Silver and Bronze.  Each class has a minimum time that can be flown to control the speed.  The goal is to come as close to the maximum speed without exceeding it and still win the race.  They flew 4 rounds in each class earning points in each race that when totaled for the day determined the winners.  It was a great day very exciting with some fast close quarters flying.  Please enjoy my favorite photos here.

Sacramento Area Modelers Warbird Racing

This Sunday August second I will be at the Sacramento Area Modelers Valley of Speed Warbird race.  Please join me at the SAM field to enjoy a lot of low fast flying.  I will be available to answer any questions you might have about the election.

See you there,

Lawrence Tougas

AMA District X Vice President

Welcome

Welcome to my election website.  This is the place to find out information about my campaign to be re-elected to the position of AMA District X Vice President.  Some people have asked why does this website exist when we have the District X website at www.ama10.org?  The answer is simple, the AMA has strict rules forbidding the use of AMA websites and the AMA magazine for election purposes.  Rules that I support fully; they were put in place to keep those areas free of election messages and to give challengers a fair footing.

So here is a place for you to ask questions about the election by emailing me at this address AMADistrictXElection@gmail.com.  I'll be happy to respond and if I think others would benefit I'll share the question on the blog.

On average only 1 in 5 AMA members take part in the election.  That makes your vote a powerful tool please take advantage of that and re-elect Lawrence Tougas as AMA District X Vice President.

My Candidate Statement

The AMA By-Laws allow Vice-Presidential candidates to submit candidate statements. This is mine, you'll see it in Model Aviation Magazine along with your ballot please be sure to vote.

Dear Friends,

It has been my honor to serve as your District Vice President for the last five years. I have enjoyed meeting the many diverse, committed and friendly modelers from District X; and with your vote I look forward to continuing to serve you.

I am proud to have reinvigorated our District website, and will continue to use the power of new media to bring you news from the local and national level.  We will continue to use the district website to offer extra coverage of events that the District magazine column cannot accommodate.

There are troubling issues facing the AMA. The FAA continues to come up with misguided, “one size fits all” restrictions that threaten the sport we love so much. The FAA’s tactics are not new to me; I have spent 24 years working as an Engineer with a major U.S. airline and have dealt with the FAA for decades. I will continue to fight on your behalf to ensure that the membership is free to pursue our sport in the way they have always enjoyed.  With your help we will beat this thing.

In July 2014 there was a motion made at the Executive Council meeting to commit $250,000 to develop a new type of AMA membership.  One for commercial modeling, it was called the small UAS program. I voted NO on this motion because the two things that define the AMA quickly and easily to an elected official are that, 1) we fly within line of sight, and 2) we don’t charge money for flying.  For the first time in my service as your District Vice President the Executive Council cast a tie vote.  The result was 6 in favor of the motion and 6 opposed.  The AMA President broke the 6-6 tie in favor of the program.  I viewed this as a tough loss, but it reflects my commitment to push back when I think it is in your best interest.  With your vote I will continue to fight on your behalf.

Please do not mistake my opposition to the small UAS program to be one against multi-rotor modelers, modelers who use first person view equipment, or those who use advanced flight systems.  I believe that those members who enjoy these new and developing areas of our hobby and do it in accordance with the AMA Safety Code are a welcome addition to our ranks.

As has been the case throughout my term, my top priority will remain traveling the District and visiting as many of our 283 clubs as possible to understand how I can support you.  Vote for me and I will continue to speak up and protect your rights as a modeler.

Please follow my campaign at, http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com/

Sincerely,

Lawrence Tougas

AMA District X Vice President

P.S. On average only 1 in 5 AMA members vote in our elections.  Please make sure your voice is heard cast your vote and elect Lawrence Tougas for District X Vice President

How to Receive a Replacement Ballot

Your ballot will arrive in the September/October time-frame.   In the past I have been asked by some District X members if it was possible to get a replacement ballot for one that had been lost, misplaced or destroyed. There is a procedure to get a replacement ballot, and it is simple. Call the AMA at 800-435-9262 select extension 290 and speak to Shawn Grubbs. Shawn will provide you with a replacement ballot.


To vote is like the payment of a debt—a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible. Rutherford B. Hayes 19th President of the United States

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Questions and Answers

The following are some of the most common questions I receive when I meet with AMA members. I hope this provides you with some material to help you decide your vote.

Q: Is the District X Vice President a paid position?
A: No it is not, it is strictly voluntary, there is a small budget to cover the Vice President and Associate Vice President's out of pocket expenses for travel and other incidentals, but no salary.

Q: What area does District X cover?
A: District X covers California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Guam. It covers almost 500,000 square miles. There are 285 clubs and 27,000 members in our district. It is the largest district in the AMA.

Q: Where is my ballot?
A: Your ballot is a postcard attached to your 2015 AMA renewal notice. You tear it off, fill in the square for the candidate of your choice, and drop it in the mail. It is already addressed, and has the postage on it too.

Q: Can I put my ballot in the envelope I return my dues renewal in?
A: NO, I'll say it again, NO, one more time NO, you cannot mail your ballot in with your renewal. If you do it will go to AMA Headquarters instead of Brady Ware, and Shoenfeld, the company that is paid to be a neutral third party tabulating the results, and it will be invalidated. So please mail the postcard separate from your renewal.

Q: I can vote online so I don't need my paper ballot right?
A: WRONG. You cannot vote online. You must use your paper ballot. It is a postcard attached to your 2010 AMA renewal notice, and you must mail it separately from your dues renewal. You can pay your 2010 AMA dues online.

Q: I lost my ballot what can I do?
A: You can get a replacement ballot by calling the AMA at 800-435-9262 extension 290 and ask Shawn Grubbs to send you a replacement ballot.

Q: Why do you want to remain District X Vice President?
A: I enjoy all aspects of modeling. I have built and flew free-flight, control line, R/C both Gliders and Planes. I can find something in all aspects of our sport to enjoy. I can't imagine a more exciting thing than being able to partake in all of the fun there is in District X and make a difference for our modelers. I have plans for the future and your vote will help me accomplish them.


If you have a question that you would like answered please email me at AMADistrictXElection@gmail.com.