It's a shame that local governments treat CL that way. They figure that you are no big deal and that everything else is more important (soccer, little league, their pay-ola from various moneyed groups, etc.)
Consider this when you have to "play the game" with the politicians:
1) You must decide at the out-set that you are never going to give up. This means that you have to pace yourself and that you have to be able to hand the baton off to your fellow club members when you get exhausted. One weakness that CL has is that our members have been beat down so long that they accept the status-quo and will not fight for what they want. You see examples of that from time to time in responses on this web-site. You have to out-last them and be that thorn that only gets removed with provision of a flying site.
2) You have to aggressively court the public. Yes, that means doing "flight-training" at public events. An almost total waste of time in getting new members, but adds to your resume when you get the endorsement or thanks (yes, save those thank-you letters) from the Girl Scouts.
3) You need to sponsor building sessions (even if it is only for free-flight) for kids (or other PC-important group) at a local school or with a local group. They will need a flying site.
4) When you ask for a flying site, ask for it on behalf of the kids (or do your activities with disabled and ask for it on their behalf!)
5) When the politicians say "no", argue on behalf of the kids, disabled (or whatever group you are championing). This sounds terribly insincere and cynical, but you are likely sitting across the table from some of the most insincere, cynical people you will ever meet in this life (now someone is going to say "that's not true! Our local politicians are wonderful, caring people!" Yeah! Right! What turnip truck did you just fall off of? So, show me the flying site they set up for you...)
6) And don't ever forget: you pay your taxes, you are a citizen here, and this hobby is far better than any alternative they can cite. In fact, the reason people oppose this hobby is that it is an extremely beneficial hobby and they are just that kind of person...
It took us 5 years to get back on our flying field after being kicked off by the government. But we did. You have to never give up and yes, you have to be a big PITA until you get your way.
Oh, and one other thing: how old are you? Probably too old to use many of these facilities that the county has (how many 65 year old soccer players do you know?), while this hobby is a great boon for the elderly. The building segments require the thought and focus that helps stave off alzheimers and the flying is the kind of "soft recreation" that keeps elderly people active and healthy. So, do your county administrators discriminate against the elderly? Hmmmm...
Topic: Have you flown on this field? (Read 1748 times)