It is very unfortunate that something like this happened. It’s not a common occurrence at AJX, but we do need to put up functioning cameras aimed at the containers, the parking lot and in the LZ, for at least a little more oversight. It will hopefully not only dissuade vandals, but also catch the perpetrator in the act without having to guess or speculate as to who was responsible. We will talk about this at the meeting and we will see what we need to do to make it happen.

Currently there is no video and no physical evidence that’s been brought forward to prove who slashed the tire. If there are witnesses out there, please contact one of the board members and give us your account of the incident.

If the police was willing to investigate this vandalism (which they did not), they would also require solid proof to determine who did it. We cannot convict anyone of a crime without the necessary evidence, and we have far less training (let alone authority) than the police. All we can do is listen, talk to the parties involved to get to the bottom of it and try to implement possible preventive measures.

I’m pleading with all of you to keep your emotions in check. We should not be throwing accusations around, unless we are certain we know what happened. This wouldn’t be the first or last time that the wrong person was named as a suspect due to coincidence. We cannot have physical or verbal violence at the LZ.

This is supposed to be a friendly, professional, fun place for all! If you have nothing nice to say, just try to keep quiet and avoid unnecessary drama, especially if this is a place you come to often and must pass by those you may disagree with. It takes a lot of energy to be angry all the time. Try to focus on the positives, do what’s right, avoid conflict, de-escalate conflict instead of feeding into it. Be the better, more rational person if you have to. Show up, say hello (or don’t), go flying, land, pack up, go home, be happy. Isn’t that what this place is all about, to de-stress from the every-day struggles of home and work life? Let’s leave that negativity behind.

I know that instructors have a different relationship to AJX. This IS their workplace! There may be some rivalry, but there’s plenty of work for everyone involved, so let’s try to get along. We should all be working on making AJX an awesome experience for visitors and pilots, not a place of crazy, awkward drama. Raised voices, name-calling, pushing around, all of that is very bad for business, unless we start taping a reality TV show. ;-)

Good ideas Jana.

Is there a GoFundMe or Paypal to collect the $$?  It’s not a big amount and covering the cost will help show the perpetrator we won’t stand for such actions.  – Grrr

#NotAtOurLZ

There is no official GoFundMe for the tire, but naturally anyone is welcome to start one if they wish.

The key to keeping the peace at the LZ is for each of us to keep calm in heated situations. It takes two people to escalate a situation. If one person is yelling at you while you’re quiet and backing up, they will eventually lose interest. If they follow you after you’ve asked them nicely to please leave you alone, that’s approaching harassment and it’s something you might want to report. If you’re the person pursuing someone who asked you to stop, consider the possible consequences of harassment. Do NOT follow anyone who has asked you to back off.

Some more aggressive types may be trying to goad you into reacting and giving them a reason to take it up a notch. Don’t give them what they want! It’s a trap. Say; “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m going to walk away now”. I know it’s not an easy thing to do sometimes, but anything else could only make things worse, not better.

Avoiding conflict could also mean avoiding potential future vandalism of your property. Consider the history of whoever you’re speaking with and consider what you may not be privy to. Where could it lead? Maybe if feels really good to tell someone off in the moment, but think about it festering not only in your mind, but also theirs. You can’t unsay or undo what you put out there for all to see and hear.

I shouldn’t have to say it, but physical violence of any kind is UNACCEPTABLE. We don’t care what reason you give us, “He called my mom fat!” Pushing, shoving, punching, spitting, damaging personal property, etc. will not be tolerated. I encourage everyone to take videos of these incidents as they happen, so that we have a clearer picture of what actually took place.

What do we have to be so angry about at a place of leisure? I think for most of us our goals are the same,… to spend time in a place of enjoyment and to make sure it sticks around. Please do your best to reign it in. Make friends! Not enemies.

All the HG & PG pilots at CSS , are human ; and people can and will get agitated.

Yesterday i got Mad at nature ; it provided me with a Sled-Ride , and

I did not appreciate it . LOL

Mankind has bin hitting each-other in the head with sticks , ever since

the onset of modernity, (near 30 to 50 thousand years ago) and it doesn’t

appear to be ending at any time soon . With the sum total of all mankind’s

knowledge doubling at a rate of once a year ; Bille does have faith that humans

will one-day , all get along with each other, and we will be traveling the heavens

with ease !!!

I will be giving the victim of the tire slash , a $5 bill  , to help calm his frame of mind

a bit ; I know that I would be Pissed !!

Bille