ChileRelleno 0 #1 February 9, 2005 Yesterday I received this E-Mail, QuoteHello everyone, This letter is to confirm the rumors that the airport board is trying to shut our skydiving operation down. I was officially evicted as of today, however I was successful in obtaining a temporary restraining order preventing the airport from taking action until we have a hearing. That hearing is scheduled for 9:30 am Thursday, February 10th, in the Chancery Court of Pascagoula, Mississippi. I am inviting all interested people to attend this court proceeding to show that my closing would have a lasting effect on the local community in general and the skydiving community in particular. A show of force should only help my cause. Remember that you will be in a court of law so please dress conservatively. No "Eat, Fuck & Skydive" T-shirts. Also, dress warmly because I nearly froze to death while in court on Monday. We will be meeting at the drop zone at 8:00 am Thursday morning so we can caravan over to the courthouse. I will be representing myself in this matter but I'm also representing all of you in the skydiving community. We can win this thing and will win! Losing is not in my vocabulary. Come show your support if possible. Blue Skies, Mike This is my home DZ and I'm going to try and show up and support my DZ. This is not the first time the Airport Board has tried to evict Goldcoast / Mike and supposedly (hearsay) is nitpicking the lease to pieces. Once again skydiving in general is under attack, if successful other airports could be encouraged to try similar tactics to evict DZ's. This just Bites! ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougjumper 0 #2 February 9, 2005 I'm Tired of hearing this kinda Stuff at our DZ'S. It has happened on a number of occasions here in TN as well, all I can say is GO KICK THEIR ASS! Dont let em push you around!! The glass is half full or half empty doesn't matter. Let go and have the Lord guide your path. He will take care of it all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #3 February 9, 2005 This is troubling news. I strongly recomend Mike gets an attorney to come along. Are there any jumper attorney's in the area willing to help? _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #4 February 9, 2005 WOW that really sucks. I thought it was kind of odd that the cops blocked off the road and watched everyone very carefully as they tried to get back to the hotels all night during the Mardi Gras Boogie last year. I would say it extends farther than just the airport board. Good luck to Mike and the crew.. If I was down in that part of the world I would be there in a heartbeat. Yall just dont deserve that kind of action down there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #5 February 9, 2005 Have they contacted the USPA? I believe the airport can lose federal funds if they deny access to their airport...or something along those lines. Why do they want to shut down the dz? When I stopped in the area back in April the local gas station and residents all had great things to say about the DZ when I asked them where it was._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 February 9, 2005 Kicking an avaiation activity off of a pulic airport can result in that airport loosing its federal funding and requiring the airport to pay back parts of past federal funding. Look into it.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #7 February 9, 2005 QuoteKicking an avaiation activity off of a pulic airport can result in that airport loosing its federal funding and requiring the airport to pay back parts of past federal funding. Look into it. While that protection does have its value, it's not always applicable (e.g. private airports where Kapowsin has had all its trouble), and apparently not that tough to get around. If the evicting party (city council, whoever) can show that they're not evicting an activity, just a business (e.g. for lease violations which sounds like what they're trying for in this case), the airspace protection clause would appear to be useless. Additionally, I've heard (but haven't verified) that the FAA won't step into cases in which the method of eviction is requiring an unobtainable (or unaffordable) insurance policy. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 February 9, 2005 Right, BUT its something to look into to see if it can be used against them for the DZ's favor. It *might* be something, but it may not as well.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #9 February 9, 2005 Mike is a brilliant businessman...I have all the faith and confidence that he will survive this one. _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #10 February 9, 2005 QuoteRight, BUT its something to look into to see if it can be used against them for the DZ's favor. It *might* be something, but it may not as well. This looks like one of those issues on which we'll just have to agree to agree. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #11 February 9, 2005 And he's also a retired U.S. Marine. I guarantee he won't be pushed around easily. He's been in skydiving a long time. Trent Lott International Airport where his DZ is at, is definitely one that receives federal money, and I'm sure he will use the discrimination card if need be... Go kick ass Mike! Semper Fi!"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbattman 0 #12 February 9, 2005 Trent Lott International has some big plans for the next year. They want to beef up the runway to 100,000 pounds and add a control tower. Probably have plans for more corporate hangars and facilities. As a result, (speculative) the dropzone no longer fits into the big picture and they want it out of the way. Too bad, especially if there are no local alternatives if they need to move the DZ. They might get another season or two, but the first time they bust a cloud or have someone dancing on the tarmac with a beer that could be the end. http://www.gulflive.com/news/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/news/1093342555244370.xml http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=2053370 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #13 February 9, 2005 When writing an email, it is important to consider your target audience. "Hmmm...I'd better put in a note about the dress code..." QuoteRemember that you will be in a court of law so please dress conservatively. No "Eat, Fuck & Skydive" T-shirts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #14 February 9, 2005 Thank you for those links, that put alot of insight into gray areas I had. I knew that there were plans for future exspansion, but this is immediate exspansion, with big goals in mind. They (Airport Officials and ect...) will be playing for keeps. I heard about a rather large corparation with plans for possible production/testing at Trent lott, something about Northrup Grumann and military drones, but thats hearsay. ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DontPanic 0 #15 February 9, 2005 Dang, this is happening fast. I work 2 hours away from Pascagoula, and I won't be able to get away from work tomorrow to be at the hearing. But I wish Mike the best of luck with the hearing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #16 February 9, 2005 I heard the same rumor about the military getting involved. I hope it's not true, because if it is, it's going to be damn near impossible to fight back and win, but that's just my opinion so take it with a sprinkle of salt over the shoulder. Still, give 'em hell, Mike Igo, you deserve your say in court!"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #17 February 9, 2005 First, good luck to Mike and all, at Gold Coast! I'd have to agree with Aggie Dave. We had similar problems for several years at our DZ, till it was pointed-out to the city fathers that they would lose federal funding. We haven't been bothered since. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 February 10, 2005 Crap! That's tomorrow. Good luck guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #19 February 10, 2005 I have got the local media involved in the matter (I know a few people at the local tv station) so hopefully this will help. this is my home DZ so wish us luck!if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #20 February 10, 2005 Quotethis is my home DZ so wish us luck! Good luck guys.. I hope you prevail.. the alternative is some little place out surrounded by even MORE BAYOU that Trnt Lott is....and Swamp THang is out there.. and that just aint right to have to go play in the bayou when you dont want to Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crzjp20 0 #21 February 10, 2005 man this blows. But if there are federal issues then they need to be pushed. Has anyone tried to contact the congressman for that district? If the airport is recieving federal funding then somehting as small as a phone call from a govermental official could straighten them up. Just a thought BTW I know mike and i know he is going to give them hell tomarrow! Good Luck Mike!!-------------------------------------------------- Fear is not a confession of weakness, it is an oportunity for courage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #22 February 10, 2005 Sometimes if it is legit goverment stuff/expansion,its best to play along and negotiate, kind of like Coolige and Eloy,,it all worked out in the end,,stay cool....good luck wallysmile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpdoc 0 #23 February 10, 2005 Remember, the airport is called TRENT LOTT International Airport...I'm sure Senator Lott (former speaker of the house) is well aware of what's happening out there...from what I can tell, its pretty much his private airport...built on what is rumored to have formerly been protected wetlands...word has it that the airport board isn't playing fair, but that's hearsay. Mike has fought and won before and I hope he can do it again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spidermonky 0 #24 February 10, 2005 Good luck guys! I love this dropzone, it's become my home away from home. Is there anything that we can do for those of us who can't be at the courthouse?? Write letters or phonecalls or something? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tearseyes 0 #25 February 10, 2005 Well this is my home DZ and i know mike will give them hell....he contacted a ton of local businesses to help with the cause...since the packing dome got blown away we have been giving a good bit of money to the local hotels so it will have an inpact on them if we get shut down. And then there is the skydivers like me who drive almost 3 hours to go there on the weekends and if it would have to be moved that is a longer drive....as soon as i hear anything from tom. i will let everyone know. keep Mike in ur mind tom.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
