The AMA By-Laws allow Vice-Presidential candidates to submit candidate statements not to exceed 1560 characters. This is mine, you'll see it in Model Aviation Magazine along with your ballot be sure to vote. If you would like to read a more in depth statement please click here.
As a candidate in last year’s District X election I met many outstanding modelers. It was the experience of a lifetime. Jim Giffin and I had the closest election in AMA history; we were only 34 votes apart, a virtual tie. It was 34 votes in a district with 28,000 members, but those 34 votes elected Jim. I wished him all the best. Sadly Jim passed away in January; we are now having a special election to determine who will lead District X.
I believe my combination of modeling, aviation and business experience makes me the best qualified candidate to be District X VP.
My top 3 issues remain the same; help clubs keep their flying fields, improve the District X web presence, and, establish an AMA western United States flying site in District X.
I value the support I got from all of you who voted for me last year and I will work to earn your vote again. Please ask your friends to vote for me too.
For those of you who voted for Jim please take another look at me. I have a website that details all of the reasons I believe I am the best candidate to be Vice-President and would sincerely appreciate your vote.
For those who did not vote last year because you feel it makes no difference who is elected, I understand your frustration. All I can say is please give me a chance to prove that the right person can make a difference. I have big plans for District X and can’t wait to pursue them. Join with me and cast your vote
Read more at;
http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com
Happy Landings,
Lawrence Tougas
AMA 232
P.S. Make a difference. Vote today!!!
Lawrence,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time to actually campaign. your passion is conveyed through your efforts. I will support campaign, as I support your goals. I would love to see a Western United States flying site, as I love the world class facilities ion Muncie, however its location precludes the west coast pilots from taking advantage of it as much as we would like to.
Thank You,
David Klein AMA 5849
Torrey Pines Gulls, Vice President Club #129
David,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. I couldn't agree with you more.
Lawrence Tougas
For me, unfortunately the AMA has mostly been very disappointing other than providing insurance for our sport. As an individual and club they have been unsupportive at best.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason many people do not vote is because there is never a change in behavior...nor actions of those elected. It is a real shame that in the Sacramento area (like others) we are losing a number of long-standing clubs due to new home development. Building a world-class AMA sponsored facility in Northern California would be a dream come true, but I don't think anyone has faith that it could ever be done.
We can't get the AMA to answer simple questions over the phone, let alone commit to a field. I would be interested in knowing what specific steps you would take to get a field built out here.
I’m sorry you feel that way. I believe the AMA is far more than insurance. They serve as a sanctioning body, for our sport. They are our eyes and ears in Washington D.C dealing with the FCC, and the FAA. They produce a magazine that is packed with information about all aspects of modeling. They have an established program for helping clubs find and keep fields. They provide educators with material to teach students about modeling. They keep the crown jewels of our sport safe in the museum program. There is much more but you can see my position from the benefits listed.
ReplyDeleteI think voter turnout is low because there is seldom a contested election. In the past when you did challenge the incumbent it was hard to get your message out effectively. Now thanks to the internet I can send an email to 800 AMA members in a matter of minutes. In this election there is a choice between two different directions. You can pick the status quo, or vote for new ideas, new methods, and an intense enthusiasm to make District X the best in the AMA.
Your vote matters and its your responsibility to cast it. I hope to be your next DVP.