Middletown under new management again? Drama or not?

Discussion in 'Trapshooting Forum - Americantrapshooter.com' started by merlo, May 25, 2023.

  1. merlo

    merlo Mega Poster Forum Reporter

    Some of my pals in the trenches say Middletown has axed their new Manager. I have reports someone from the past quit as well.

    Middletown is a storied club. Lots of history at a very challenging venue.

    More facts please!

    I report. You decide.
    merlo out
     
  2. Jim/Canton

    Jim/Canton Mega Poster

    Is Skip looking for a job?
     
    BRAD DYSINGER likes this.
  3. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    It’s my opinion that the drama is only beginning at that club.
     
  4. Got Beagles

    Got Beagles Active Member

    Why do you say that? Or is this just a convenient spot to take a swipe?
     
  5. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    I am semi-close to the situation and considering the "shake-up", I would say the Drama was minimal. The Zone shoot ran smoothly after the fact. And if you were just an average member using the club, you wouldn't have noticed anything different.
    We would all be hard pressed to find any situation involving humans without a certain amount of drama.:):)
     
    debshouseboy and mkstephen like this.
  6. bobski

    bobski USN Retired Range Owner

    Even my club, with 5 faithful shooters at my venue, has some drama. It's everywhere and it's human nature.
    Gossip is gossip, and the truth be told, there are some things best left to those involved.
    It's ok not to know everything, in this new info culture.
     
  7. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    I hope that I’m wrong, I really do. We’ll just have to see how things shake out over the next few months.
     
  8. Got Beagles

    Got Beagles Active Member

    you didn’t answer the question. What drama are you talking about. So it was just a swipe!
     
  9. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Your comment seemed more like bloviation than an actual question. That being said, I owe you no explanation so expect none.
     
  10. Got Beagles

    Got Beagles Active Member

    No one said you owe and an explanation for your swipe at Middletown. I thought you might have a reason to take it. Obviously not….
     
  11. ShellShock

    ShellShock Member

    I’ve been in a few times since big Mike passed and Bob and Brandy seemed to be working hard to keep things going and have a positive atmosphere and i hope they both stay on. I’ve heard mixed reaction on the newest manager but would really like to see things stabilize there. It’s really a shame.
     
  12. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    I believe her employment ended last weekend.
     
  13. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    And the cook quit.
     
  14. ShellShock

    ShellShock Member

    Wow, That’s adding up to a lot of personnel turn over in a short time, the cook has been there awhile too. Seemed like it was coming together but sounds like it’s still falling apart. It makes you wonder what’s going on over there.
     
  15. BRAD DYSINGER

    BRAD DYSINGER The Philosophist Founding Member Member Trapshooting Hall of Fame Member State Hall of Fame

    In 1974 the 3rd or 4th ATA shoot I ever went to was the Mid American. That's when I first met Bert Wells. I was friends with him until the day he died. Middletown used to be my favorite shoot not at Vandalia. It has always been a hard place to break a score from 27 at but one of the best venues in trap shooting. It appears those days are gone from what I hear. Too bad.
     
    Cooperdisciple likes this.
  16. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    I had a talk with the new manager over the holiday. The cook situation was about hygiene of the kitchen area. It sounded like a "you can't fire me, I quit!" is what actually happened. according to Nate, the situation is being addressed.
    My opinion is, and it is not personal, that this was something that was long over due, for exactly the reason stated above.
     
  17. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Well, at least I’m not the type of person who says I told you so…
     
  18. ShellShock

    ShellShock Member

    My buddy that was there yesterday said there was a huge blow up at the zone shoot. Sounds like more trouble
     
  19. Meatmen12

    Meatmen12 New Member

    The loud mouth tournament director got what was coming to her. She was a nasty person that didn’t respect anybody and thought she was untouchable. Thankfully there’s a manager that put her in her place. She was definitely the black eye of the club. The club will definitely have a better vibe to it. It’s a good thing she wasn’t forever enshrined.
     
    Jack O'Matic and HCarl like this.
  20. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Should have happened years ago. Good riddance to all of them.
     
    Jack O'Matic likes this.
  21. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    Wow! There can be no doubt that there was drama at MSC over the wknd. Doesn't sound like it really had much to do with the new manager tho. I have seen first hand the attitudes of people involved and wouldn't defend any of them personally. But sometime we have to take the bitter with the sweet. There seems to be no one who will stand up and fill the shoes of the one we don't approve of ( generally speaking). I would like to see the elected officials get involved and solve this problem for the good of the whole.
     
    Pat Neff likes this.
  22. Jack O'Matic

    Jack O'Matic Active Member

    The club will be fine. One monkey (even two or three of them) don't stop a show.
     
  23. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Just call me Nostradamus.
     
  24. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    Careful not to break your arm while you pat yourself on the back H. Remember that old saying, "even a broken clock is correct twice a day.":):)
     
  25. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    I have to admit that the events that happened on Sunday weren’t even on my bingo card.
     
  26. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    Oh, now I know where you're coming from. I heard about that episode. Sounded like it was pretty funny. Sorry I wasn't there to see it. Maybe some one has a video.
     
  27. 10-point

    10-point Well-Known Member

    Sooo…what happened?
     
  28. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Septic tank filled up and the shitters flooded the basement restrooms. Then the maintenance man/trap mechanic got mad and quit (unrelated to the shitter situation). Then the club president punched another member in the mouth (also unrelated to the shitter situation or the maintenance man quitting).
    Wish I’d have bet that trifecta.
     
  29. Flyersarebest

    Flyersarebest Moderator Founding Member Forum Leader

    THAT, is the funniest and best post I've read on here in YEARS.
     
  30. 10-point

    10-point Well-Known Member

    Sheesh, what a…crap shoot.
     
  31. LimaShooter50

    LimaShooter50 Mega Poster Founding Member

    I have some questions. I am hoping BIG PAPA was there. He will tell us!

    How deep was the poop in the basement? I hope the showers are good.

    About that punch. Was it a gusher? Sucker punch?

    Crazy story that the maintenance guy quit before the shit hit the floor.

    BIG PAPA. What’s the scoop? Who won the fight? How deep were the turds?
     
  32. BIG PAPA

    BIG PAPA Forum Reporter Founding Member Forum Reporter

    Big Papa was not in attendance. He knows nothing!!!!!!!
     
    BRAD DYSINGER likes this.
  33. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    1. A little info from some people close to the situation. The septic system failure was a combination of a breakdown and being over come by a large group of Scouts that were there for the weekend. The break down had been addressed. It could not be immediately resolved because of repair parts availability. When the back up was realized, the tank was pumped out and the situation was resolved relatively quick.
    2. The maintenance man had already turned in his notice long before the incident. It should be noted that he had threatened to leave several times in the recent past.
    3. I will not comment on THE PUNCH, as this would not be prudent at this time. lol
     
  34. Family Guy

    Family Guy Mega Poster Founding Member

    That clubhouse is my favorite. Amazing building and venue.

    I suggest the next shoot be pay per view. I am good for $10.

    Do you have photos we can post?
     
  35. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    Sorry, no photos. But I have heard of a video that could become available.
     
    just joe and BRAD DYSINGER like this.
  36. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    So, did the people close to the situation mention anything about the maintenance man finding out on Tuesday that they were paying the cleaning lady the same wage as him? I wouldn’t call that a long time period. I think that people (more likely the person) close to the situation who are giving you information have insecurity issues.
     
  37. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    I have heard from more than one very good source, that Bob has threatened to leave several times. this goes back all the way to Mike E.'s time as manager. I also know from personal experience that he thought awfully highly of himself. And what he was truly talented at was standing around and slingin' the bull.
    So IMO he was looking for a reason to leave anyway. I understand he took a job driving a truck.
    .
     
  38. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Like it or not "Bob" was the face of the MSC who would regularly work 50+ hours per week. Once he was informed by the cleaning lady that she was making the same hourly wage as him (on Tuesday), he decided to look elsewhere. "Bob" was the person who setup sporting clays, trap, skeet & five-stand, trap mechanic, loading traps, scoring and general fix it guy. So, his feeling of grandeur and feeling of disrespect can certainly be understood when comparing his contributions to that of the cleaning lady
     
    BRAD DYSINGER likes this.
  39. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    I don't really have a dog in this fight. Just calling it as I see it. Like it or not we are all expendable.
    Just want to see any gun club do well at whatever it is they are doing. I happen to frequent MSC and only want the best for it.
    There is plenty of work to do at that club, and I'm sure they will find a suitable replacement for "Bob."
     
  40. nitrogetsome

    nitrogetsome Member Founding Member

    He was a grass mower. No more and not to good at that. He sure could spend time bullshitting
     
    Pat Neff likes this.
  41. jerry Nickell

    jerry Nickell Member

    Let me set the record true to the facts.
    Rob had ask about storing his camper earlier this year, not years ago. He was told he could store it for $100 per month. Another Trustee came by one day and noticed that it was plugged in and the AC units were running. When he paid in September he was told to unhook and pay $100 or leave hooked to electric and pay $200 per month. He called me and was upset. I told him that other board members was involved with this not just me. He told me September was most likely his last month of keeping it there. He went in to pay in October and handed the mgr $100 bill. Mgr ask did you unplug from electric. He told mgr.he was not unhooking. Mgr told him that was not the deal, unhook and pay $100 or leave hooked up and pay $200. Running heat and ac when hooks up takes quite a bit of electric during a month. He came out accusing of this all being my idea on pricing. I told him it was board members that came up with the number. After he yelled at me a few minutes, I told him there are three choices, pay $100 and unhook from the electric, stay hooked up and pay $200. Or move his camper. He stepped up almost against me and then took both hand sand shoved me as hard he could. My hands were in my pocket. It shoved me back three steps. I did what any man would do, He assaulted me and I punched him in the mouth. I did not hit him in the nose as one person says that Rod told him. VP was there and got between us. He took rob to his truck and I went to the club house. Rob has threatened to shoot people and beat the shit out of people for ever. I was assaulted and I defended myself. For the record this is all caught on tape by our security cameras. This is not he said she said. Also for the record Rob was suspended for six mos. a few years ago. He was given a second chance. And after this event the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to suspend him for life. I offered to resign as President and trustee. I also offered to leave the room and let them talk about suspending me. Board stated that I was only defending myself and I needed to stay where I was in the meeting.

    Everyone wants to refer to Bob the grass cutter. However he was more than a grass cutter, he was our ONLY trap mechanic. He left because he went to work driving a truck for a close personal friend. We knew that was his last day and he worked until almost dark. Sporting clay machines have to be worked on weekly. How can a club stay open while traps are broken and you are trying to get someone to come and fix them?? I CANNOT make a decision by myself. The board votes on it and the only way I can even vote is if it is to break a tie. Board members have an unpaid position. If this was my paycheck, I would have quit a long time ago. I have supported what I thought was BEST for MSC. Unlike many of these "couch trustees" I do not have a personal agenda. I feel our board is very good. If you feel differently. We are taking nominations the second Tuesday of November at the member meeting. The meeting is at 7 PM. We start serving dinner about 6:15 pm. If you are a member and would like to get on the board, please come out and throw your name in the hat. We elect the board the second Tuesday in December. After the member meeting in December the board elects officers for the coming year. I can say there is not a chance I will stay on as president. I am also pretty sure I have quit shooting trap. Gonna try sporting clays for a while. Not any bitching in the woods other than bitching at your self as I miss targets. BTW, Hcarl, the cleaning lady has never and never will make as much as the so called grass cutter/trap mechanic/maintenance man. by the time people pass a story to a couple of different people it sure does change and facts get forgotten about.

    Lightning hit our septic pumps the last thunderstorm. We had no idea until it backed up late on Sunday the week before all of the drama this post refers to. We had our maintenance company out on Monday and got the system pumped out. We shot that week and had people shooting all week. On Thursday we had a couple of hundred people at a Ducks Unlimited banquet. The on Friday we had even more people for a Boy Scout function on Friday. When Nate came in on Sunday, the system was backed up and over flowing. We got it pumped in the early afternoon. We now know we need to monitor every day until the new pumps come in which have been on order for several weeks.
    If you would like to talk to me personally, PM me or call the club and leave me a message to call you back. I will return your call.


    Respectfully,

    Jerry Nickell
     
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  42. HCarl

    HCarl Active Member

    Has anyone got their dues notice from Middletown yet? I’ve usually gotten mine by now.
     
  43. Don Cogan

    Don Cogan Bird Hunter Past OSTA President Founding Member

    Middletown is one of my all time favorite clubs. I hope all the craziness is behind them. Loved shooting sporting clays in the morning to keep us off the trap fields until afternoon. Good restaurants in the area too! Always made a trip to Bullwinkles restaurant whenever we shot at Middletown. Played lots of golf nearby, also to prevent us from shooting too early. HCarl, just send them a check for your dues. They will figure out what your check is for.
     
  44. M Johnson

    M Johnson Well-Known Member

    There hasn't been drama in a while. The new management seems to be improving.
    The targets at the Saturday Calcutta have been excellent. That new maintenance guy is doing a great job!!
     
    P-MX10 likes this.