Any new news about the status of Seminole?

On Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 9:28:10 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Interesting, sounds like more pending legal wranglings, a suit for libel is in the works? I’m staying outta this mess.

I just got off the phone with Rich. I was particularly interested in knowing what I wrote that was, as Rich wrote, "dead wrong." He said that it was that I claimed that Tanjala was currently in jail. I reminded him that what I wrote was: "That means he SHOULD be in jail right now," and that I didn't have any information what happened after his appeal was denied by the BIA (which I posted a link to). Rich confirmed that Tanjala was extradited to Romania in 2016 (he said Tanjala went "voluntarily"), served time in jail there and was released from jail in Feb 2018. Thus Tanjala would have served about two years of his five year sentence (included credit for time served in the Cayman Islands awaiting extradition). He also said that there are no outstanding civil judgments against Tanjala, and that all of this would be disclosed to any potential buyer of Seminole Gliderport, which he confirmed is for sale. He further said that he will have Tanjala's attorney contact me to confirm Tanjala's legal status. I accept all of this on face value. I also told Rich that I thought he was doing a great job in managing Seminole (I have never implied anything otherwise) and thanked him for his service to our country. Rich also confirmed that Tanjala was convicted of fraud in Romania, but has paid his debt to Romanian society in full. Further, he said that everything I have written about Seminole, with the possible exception of Tanjala being in jail (which I never claimed as noted above), is factual.

Everything I have written about Seminole is based on information available to anyone with an Internet connection, and I have posted links to those sources, and I encourage everyone to read them so you can reach your own conclusions.

Tom

I started flying at Seminole maybe 2 months ago, I got my add-on to my private and purchased a Std. Cirrus which I keep there in the trailer... I guess this thread is a great example of why I DO NOT participate on social media. I guess my main comment is "WHO CARES"!!!

I have not met the owner, wouldn't matter if I do or not... what matters is the people they put in place regarding administration and management of the operation. If the operation is being run well, why should the personal life and issues of the absentee Owner be of any concern to me??? More so to people that DO NOT fly there. If the operation sells, I hope it can continue as-is which is great.

Everyone I have dealt with there has been excellent, extremely helpful and I have nothing negative to say. I have been hesitant getting into sailplanes (I fly hang gliders) partly due to a reputation at some locations of being "Holier-than thou" and very snobish for lack of better words. So far it has been just the opposite... Marc

On Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 1:19:37 PM UTC-7, Marc V wrote:
"I guess this thread is a great example of why I DO NOT participate on social media."

"If the operation is being run well, why should the personal life and issues of the absentee Owner be of any concern to me???"

"I have been hesitant getting into sailplanes (I fly hang gliders) partly due to a reputation at some locations of being "Holier-than thou" and very snobish for lack of better words."

As a new resident to S.W. Florida, and a returning glider pilot I agree with the above.
Soaring / gliding is on the decline in the U.S. so as long as the operation is well run, I am not going to get too excited about the legal issues of the owner.

I'll make one comment about the "Holier-than thou" attitude. I've been in various hobby related clubs over the last 40 years and it has been my experience that 90% of the members are regular people who will help each other out and enjoy each others company and the hobby at hand. Roughly 10% of the members are egocentric "know it all's" with chips on their shoulders and opinions about everything. Unfortunately the 10% usually cause about 95% of the unnecessary drama in any club. R.A.S. included.
I used to let it bother me, and when I was younger I left a few clubs after dealing with those egomaniac style of personalities, that can really ruin a club or group. Now I focus on the other 90% of people who are more or less normal, and simply look humorously at those who would make mountains out of mole hills.

Well said Mike, and pretty well spot on. Where in sw FL are you flying Coastal? Thats a pretty fun club.
Dan

I am at Tampa Bay Soaring Society at Zephyrhills. As my home club.
Although I'd like to do some cross country out of Seminole Lake too. So I may trailer up there from time to time depending on the forecast.
I follow Skysight.io pretty closely for weather.

P.S. what is Coastal? I do not know of that club. Thanks.

You were talking about being in sw Fl, I was thinking nw FL. Coastal Soaring is a club just west of pensacola in the FL panhandle.