MIKE MULLINS 4 National Dir.

I am a Lifetime Member of USPA and I have served on the USPA Board of Directors. If three currently sitting members on the USPA Board of Directors are attempting to block Mike Mullins from placing his name on the ballot for National Director in the upcoming USPA elections, I would have to question their motives. You can say what you want to about Mike Mullins, and people either love him or they hate him, with very few in between. Mike Mullins is a unique character who loves our sport and brings a different and refreshing perspective to what would otherwise be 'business as usual', and maybe that is the real reason he is being denied a slot on the ballot. The fear of change, I mean. Heaven forbid we stir up the old guard a little! It is not up to the current B.O.D. to tell me whom I can or can't vote for. Give me a break!

Mike Mullins knows the FAA rules. He also knows the USPA rules. He totally understands the system. He has some good ideas to change a few things for the betterment of all skydivers. Mike and I don't always see eye to eye, but I can assure you that Mike Mullins is more in touch with aviation, more in touch with skydivers, and more in touch with drop zone operations than most of the current directors of USPA. He is a professional pilot and a rigger, as well as a jumper and a drop zone operator.

For the 'USPA system' to deny him a slot on the ballot is a tremendous disservice to the whole skydiving community. The election system should be in place to allow us, the 30,000 plus members of USPA to vote for whom we choose, but now it appears that one of our most colorful and experienced members is being blocked out by the censorship of three people who currently sit on the B.O.D. (hiding behind the comfort of 'the system'

Mike Mullins could always run as a write-in, and maybe he will have to, but for heaven's sake USPA, don't make yourself look more foolish by refusing to put his name on the ballot. This reminds me of when USPA banned the use of the word 'base' in Parachutist magazine. I fought that strongly when I was on the Board, not because I'm a base jumper, but because censorship is just plain wrong. This reeks of the same simple and ignorant strong-arm censorship supposedly in 'our best interest'.

Stop it USPA. I don't need a frikkin' babysitter. I can make up my own mind. Let me choose for myself.

George Galloway

The reason they do not want Mike as a director is his DZ is non USPA member. Also, he would not put up with the BS associated with the USPA. Are you sure Mike Mullins wants to be part of that organization????

SkyMaster

Post this so important stuff on the NG. If it is factual we will all have a positive position to support.

Otherwise, you may get just more than a few e mails requesting the info.

Thanks, Troy

The U.S.P.A. decided not to allow Mike Mullins on the November Ballot. I had a phone conversation on Monday with regional director Madolyn Murdock and she told me that the main reason was because of his B.S.R. violations. In his 34 years of being a member of the U.S.P.A. he has never been charged with violating any B.S.R. The Nominations and Elections Committee which

become the Judge, Jury, and pass sentence on Mike. John DeSantis is the regular chairman: however, due to the fact that he is running for national director he had to excuse himself.

If you would like any more info please e-mail me.

IF THE USPA THINKS THAT THEY CAN KEEP MIKE OUT THEY HAVE ANOTHER THING COMING.!

VOTE MIKE MULLINS FOR NATIONAL DIRECTOR BY WRITING HIS NAME IN ON YOUR BALLOT! ONLY VOTE FOR THE NATIONAL DIRECTORS THAT YOU KNOW.

CHRIS WELKER

We have on organization with-in an organization. What kind of fair election process is it that allows the hierarchy of the organization to pick the candidates for the members to vote on? I don't want any body selecting for me who I can and can not vote for. What are they so afraid of? If Mike Mullins is so bad for the USPA don't they have enough confidence in the membership to not vote for somebody that would harm the USPA?

They keep hiding behind the pieces of paper that will ultimately be their undoing.

by the tone of mikes letter,, sounds like he is willing to step up to the plate and REALLY WANTS to run. If he wants to run, and they say no... then all he has to do is name the people who said NO to him,, and they are gone in two years.. Why put off the inevitable?

Maybe not a good idea for mike to sue,, to get on ballot this year,, maybe better to just wait and vote them out this go around then he can go in peacefully?

Cant argue with him being one of the BEST QUALIFIED hehehehe,,

WELLLLL,, i've danced with BJ and jumped with Chris Needles,, spent my share of time on Mullins plane.. I dont know any of the other players at USPA.

SOOOO giggle snort fart, CANT WE ALL JUST GIT ALONG??

What you say may or may not be the whole truth. However, either way the truth is hard to hide. Even in Serbia the will of the people appears to be triumphing despite fraud and manipulation on a grand scale. Voter apathy is the only way that the 'wrong' BOD will be elected. If the voter participation is a typical 10% or so, then the members hardly have cause for complaint afterwards.

So Jimbo is running for office too??? Will he be on the 'Penguin Platform?' Joe M.

Hey Joe...aint that Penguin platform at Sea World ? By the way , I aint on it.

:o) jim

Banned from Skydive Las Vegas by Mikey Hawkes :o)

Oh, for Christ sake!

The USPA just has their panties in a wad because Mike lets his 'underaged' boys jump. So what? I'll bet those kids know more about their equipment, about flying, and are just all around safer than 90% of the jumpers on your average dz. Wouldn't you be if you grew up in such an aviation-oriented household?

Mike's got my vote. No problem. USPA needs to 'reconsider' this one ... it's a bad decision.

Besides ... I wanna stay on his good side ... so I can get more of them there wheeeeeeee!!!!!!!! rides in his KingAir!

Blue skies!

Sure we can get along ... if the USPA would act reasonably in this matter.

No one is asking USPA to *appoint* Mike Mullins to anything ... or to hire him ... give him a slot ... whatever. In that situation, then, sadly, I would have to side with the Association. They have the right to hire/appoint who they best feel could do the job.

However ... Mike is merely asking to have his name placed on the ballet ... for us ... the membership ... to have the *option* of electing him. Frankly, so long as his dues are up-to-date, and he is willing to meet the criteria of the job ... perform it's said duties ... then I don't need USPA or anyone else trying to 'protect' me from electing an 'unsuitable' candidate. If the man comes up with his $50 buck fee ... or whatever the hell they charge people for running for these Directorships ... then I say put him on the ballet ... and let the members decide whether or not they wish to vote him in. After all, this is supposed to be a democracy, isn't it?

Blue skies!