July Meeting of the Manitwo Flyers
July meeting of the Manitwo Flyers got started promptly as there was a lot of information to pass on. There were seventeen members present. There is over 3500 in the treasury. The efforts of this summer have been paying off.
The biggest issue was with the field and with the clubs incorporation. President Al and VP Lloyd went to see the farmer a while back to see about the lease. They expressed interest to the farmer about a long term lease. We also wanted to put some buildings on the land; the farmer said he would take this into consideration. Recently Al went back to the farmer and asked him about the earlier proposal. The farmer was not there but his wife was and passes on the following information. They are not interested in a long term lease. The current lease is up December 31st 2005. At that time the lease will be looked at. If a lease would be possible it would be for a short term, probably one year at a time.
This land is prime property and the farmer would like to have the flexibility of selling the land if the right price comes up. Currently the lease is in our favor. We can drop the field any time we want but the farmer has to honor the lease for the term. So if he were to get an offer he wants to be able to pursue it.
The farmer’s sons feel as if the duck hunting in the area is worse because of our flying. They are opposed to letting us have the land.
We have been using the land for the last twenty years. The rent has not gone up at all in that time. Perhaps he is implying the rent will go up if we get a new lease.
They do not want any buildings on the land at all.
Several years ago when the tower controversy was going on the farmer was all excited about giving us a lease. He even volunteered some other land should he sell his land for the tower.
Over the past few years the articles of incorporation have been allowed to expire. This oversight was noticed by President Al. He took it upon himself to contact some lawyers about this and get the situation rectified. The papers have now been files and we should have our incorporation back again soon. This is important to remove the personal liability. If there would be a problem at the field that resulted in a law suit all members could have been help responsible. This is not a problem now.
We have had some complaints with people flying over the field. The field had a black truck and a red van. Please do not fly over the highway.
The county land has been approved and plans are moving ahead. Currently we are hoping to get about 15 miles. Resident Al is working his butt off getting proposals and plans together for the county. He should have something for us at the next meeting. The county needs a time table and a plan for the land, 1st step to develop grass field, 2nd step to develop driveway, etc.
The club is overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the pursuit of this field.
Sometime in the future a car track might be developed. This track could have weekly races. The races would have paid admissions.
Education day is coming up on August 2nd. We will have brats and hamburgers and soda available for purchase. It is at the field and will start around 9 in the morning.
Ryan Knier is hosting a brat fry. Ryan did not make the meeting since he had school, He still need people to sign up for the fry, if the President could print off the sheet that would be great, He do have some people working already but currently do not have it in front of me. He will be able to give this information at the next meeting! He is sorry for such a late notice but time has been pressed these last few weeks with school, almost done though!!
In order to raise more money should some earnest money be needed to show the county we can develop the land we might have several ways to go. One way would perhaps a $300 interest free loan. The club would sell “stock” for $300. This stock would then be redeemable at face value in 3 years. Another method would be to have life time memberships. The club could also solicit donations from community businesses.
There was much discussion about the swap meet in February. We might postpone it for a year.