[Bob Kuczewski]

The 2010 USHPA election will close in about 2 weeks. There are 9 regions with Directors up for re-election, and 8 of those 9 are running unopposed. Here's the list:

• Region 1: Rich Hass (unopposed)
• Region 2:
  - Dave Wills (incumbent)
  - Jonathan Blome (challenger)
• Region 3: Bill Helliwell (unopposed)
• Region 4: Mark Gaskill (unopposed)
• Region 7: Tracy Tillman (unopposed)
• Region 8: Michael Holmes (unopposed)
• Region 9: Felipe Amunategui (unopposed)
• Region 10: Steve Kroop (unopposed)
• Region 12: Paul Voight (unopposed)

Here's my review from worst to best...

Region 2: Dave Wills - Dave Wills is one of the worst and most corrupt Directors we have. He's also chair of the Organization and Bylaws Committee. He refused to even allow discussion of open voting by the Board (Accountability Amendment) in his committee despite the fact that I had given him advanced written notice to get it on the agenda. He pushed through a change to forbid recording of our own Board meetings. He pushed through a change which prohibits any recalled Director from being a Director for 2 years - even if the recall was NOT for cause. He did this in the middle of an ongoing recall election - changing the rules in the middle of the game after votes had already been cast! He pushed through a change which makes it easier for Directors to revoke ratings without due process for the pilot. In short, Dave Wills should go. I don't know anything about Jonathan Blome, but he's got my support. I ask everyone in Region 2 to vote for Jonathan Blome.

Region 4: Mark Gaskill - I initially had some hope for Mark Gaskill ... despite the strong warnings I had gotten from people in his region who knew him. Mark is a slick salesmen whose primary interest seems to be self-promotion. He's got some kind of background in psychology, and he uses those techniques to manipulate people and the Board. He did not support the Accountability Amendment, and I would support anyone willing to run against him. It wouldn't surprise me if he's one of the secret Executive Director candidates.

Region 9: Felipe Amunategui - Another psychology "professional", Felipe was the "attack dog" for Lisa Tate on the Board. I've got a long history of his email snipes. He's another one who would not support the Accountability Amendment so USHPA members could see how he's voting. He should be off the USHPA Board and barred from counselling anyone.

Region 3: Bill Helliwell - Bill is a puppet of the Torrey paragliding crowd. He was an officer of the SDHGPA while David Beardslee was kicked out of Torrey for life ... and Bill did nothing. He sat by for years while Jebb ran rough shod over the rights of hang gliding pilots and paragliding pilots alike. Bill also refused to support the Accountability Amendment and refuses to answer simple questions by members of his region. While some have supported the write-in of Shilo (a dog) over Bill Helliwell, I'd prefer Dennis Duvall who could actually accept the position and help open the Board to its members.

Region 1: Rich Hass - Rich is one of those guys who will say one thing and do another. As with Mark Gaskill, I originally had some hope for Rich, but I've watched him do Lisa Tate's bidding both during her presidency and now afterward. As USHPA Secretary, he opposed the Accountability Amendment claiming it would be too much work to let the members know how their Directors are voting. Rich wrote the original "gag order" against me in 2009 which violated USHPA's own SOPs. Rich should be gone, but instead he will probably use his position to reward one of his cronies (likely Lisa Tate) with the well-paid Executive Director position. Disgusting.

Region 7: Tracy Tillman - I don't know Tracy very well, but here's what I do know. Tracy would NOT support the Accountability Amendment for open voting by the Board. Tracy is also leading the search for an Executive Director, and he's been keeping us (the members) in the dark with regard to that process. I suspect his "team" will end up rewarding Lisa Tate (or one of the other USHPA insiders) with the well-paid Executive Director position as well.

Region 12: Paul Voight - Paul has always seemed fair to me, but I was disappointed that he also failed to second my motion on the Accountability Amendment. Paul had said that he would support that amendment, but he sat silent while Lisa Tate refused to allow the motion. So he either lost the courage of his convictions or he was being dishonest by saying he would support it. I can't tell which. So I'll remain neutral on Paul at this time.

Region 8: Michael Holmes - I know nothing about this Director since he came to the Board after my time.

Region 10: Steve Kroop - Steve is one of the few USHPA Directors that I would strongly endorse for another term. I believe Steve attempted to second the Accountability Amendment but was cut off by Lisa Tate who used her position as Chair to kill the discussion before it was ever started. Steve generally supports open processes and he's demonstrated that to me during my own term on the Board.

Well, there's my recommendations. I predict a typical low voter turnout by the members, and I predict more of the same from USHPA.

[Dennis]

I doubt there is time to do anything about it, it has been talked over loosely about me running as a write-in for RD in region 3 with a few flyin' friends. I WOULD accept the post if I were in fact elected to the post, under the proviso that those who wanted to write me in on the ballot understood that I would literally be "fresh meat", constituents would need to be PATIENT with me as I figured out HOW to do the job.

Do I have a campaign promise? NOPE! I'm simply a pilot, a new one at that.

Do I have an agenda? YUP! To have lots of fun flying and enjoying as much of the things that are involved within the club.

Do I think I stand a chance getting elected? *Shrug* I have no idea.. I've never considered political post before.

If you want to pencil my name in, go for it. Anyone wishing to do so has my official "Okey dokey".

[Bob Kuczewski]

Here's what my ballot looks like:

DennisDirector_s.JPG (35.19 KiB) Viewed 3638 times

I also support Jonathan Blome over Dave Wills. Dave Wills has been horrible, and I sure hope Region 2 will give him the boot.

[Bob Kuczewski]

I happened across this topic while researching the 2010 recall election for another post. I'd forgotten that I'd actually photographed and posted my write-in vote for Dennis at that time.

Why does it matter nine years later?

Because the rotten Mark Forbes (elections chairman) didn't even count that vote!! Check USHPA's voting history (if you can find it). According to USHPA, Dennis got no votes (zero), but I know that's not true because I sent in that vote myself. I wonder how many other votes disappeared at USHPA over the years. Can anyone trust USHPA anymore?