Gipson in Tucson looking for Grand location?

Cardinal Center turns down Gipson! Now Gipson at Autumn Grand in Tucson.
Lynn Gipson is in Tucson for the Autumn Grand and shooting on Bill Martin's squad. Then they were seen in the clubhouse bar sitting together.

Not sure but looks like Tucson in early August!

 

that would be fine by me

 

It would be warm enough. Average temp 97 during the day and 77 at night.

 

Be nice to mark my calendar with a permanent marker?

 

Lynn (the Talking Head ) Gipson is no doubt pointing out all of the "Fantastic " things the grand can bring to Tucson, besides the publicity ... Imagine all of the EC and most of BOD there for a week, you'll never get the smell out of the place ... If the people from the Tucson Club run it, it will be very successful, if not it will be a failure in monumental proportions ... Tucson can use the 10/12/ 20 million dollars in generated revenue, and has been on the map for quite sometime being known for having great shoots that always somehow seem to get better ... If they take the grand to bail out the ATA, more power to them just watch the cash register and who hangs around it ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Maybe he'll go to Florida in Febuary then everyone will think the Grand is going to be there.
But wait he was seen in a bar talking to someone.

 

Actually, he's telling everyone that the IDNR has given the ATA assurance that they will have Sparta open for the Grand and the announcement will be made soon. He says he's traveling to make sure they get as much support as possible for 2016. The IDNR says they have the ability to open for the time needed to hold the Grand so it will be there for sure. That's the latest.

 

They must not read anything on the State of Illinois, Illinois Governors, IDNR, or ATA web site or they would know that the WSRC could be bull dozed by then and made into a camp for Syrian refugees ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Jeeeeez, don't you think those people have it tough enough?

 

I must be dyslexic, thought you wrote make it into a camp for Syrian refugees THEN bulldoze it over.

 

I heard today they were out looking at the new vendor building and discussing expansion to the west at TTSC.

At 97 degrees and 87 degrees which at night is more like 70 would be nicer then Sparta's 97 with 95% humidity for a 110 heat index. Remember Tucson is a "dry heat"!

 

It is almost impossible to make plans for anything related to shooting next August, there

Will be (maybe) some disappointed motels, restaurants, and Walmarts.

Greta c

 

Shooting Coach, Thank you for spotting and correcting the error in my statement ... IOU 1 ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Well WPT old friend, old buddy, old pal....

Just think, you could hire out as a scorer. Close to home, and all the water you want to drink.

Now this is from a friend who is just looking out for your welfare..tee hee hee



Cheers from across the land on the other side of the US of A

 

What ???~~~Bill Martin in a BAR ??????

 

The SCTP Collegiate Championships found a place to shoot on short notice.

 

I'm not sure where your getting your information but Bill Martin and the board aren't aware of discussion regarding the Grand at Sparta. They have talked a lot regarding the Spring and Autumn Grands and upcoming facility improvements but I think someone out there is working hard at selling a rumor. Perhaps you could bring Bill, Doug Sims and the rest up to speed as to what they're supposedly saying.

 

Heck, if I would have donated half of the 2 million to build that over-priced State owned chicken-house .... I would be hard to drag OUT of the bar ....

 

Speculation always makes for a better story and sometimes it even becomes reality ... I agree with User 1 about dragging me out of the bar after building a building (can I say that..?) for the State of Illinois, talk about madder that a two pecker Billy goat, whoa ... Bill Martin is a business man and if he says we are going to do it, then you can bet its going to get done ... Until he says lets do it, it don't matter much at all ... The ATA has made the choice to cut its own throat in many ways with regard or lack of to the members, they built a bomb and it appears its blown up in their faces and problem is the members pay the price in the long run ... The time is getting close to where someone is going to have to make a choice so all concerned and involved can be notified ... The Vendors as well as members (attendee's) can't or probably will not make last second decisions to venture off into the unknown without careful preparations made ... The residents (shooters, all 4 of them) from Sparta, will probably have to locate road maps, and get a GPS so they can find their way once they get to the edge of town no matter where it goes to if it gets moved from Sparta, Ill ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

So what was the final outcome. Which fantastic direction are we headed?

 

Last word was that the IDNR was definitely going to have the Sparta facility open for the 2016 Grand. They are saying they have funds available from their budget. If that turns out to be a no go then the ATA would rent the facility and be responsible for getting the facility in shape and staffing up, then holding a successful Grand American. A veritable piece of cake. This will be the ATA Executive Committee's "Excellent Adventure." Stand by to be amazed.

 

"IF" the WSRC is available and operational I cannot imagine the cost factors involved by the State or ATA ... The cost factors would be elevated because of over growth and the machines would no doubt need some freshening up to get them in shape ... If the attendance stays stable or declines ever so slightly as it has will not be a good thing, if the ATA can break even on the deal it will please the few who attend ... The Governor has the last word and the IDNR will only do as they are instructed to do if ans when it happens ... The ATA has made money on the grand even though the State continued to add to its deficit on an annual basis according to the reports they post on the ATA web site ... I have not talked to one person who is ready to make a commitment or rented a camping spot even though its been said "if it don't happen they can get refunds from the ATA " ... It appears the ATA is ready to put members money at risk to make a point , we can only hope it does not blow up in their faces ... Time will tell ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

If I was a camping person and wanted a camping spot at the WRSC I would send them a note, I will take my allotted camping spot, when I pull in on my first day of shooting, and give you my personal check on arrival for my camping spot.
No promissory note that it will be open will be accepted. My spot must be in an mowed, and trimmed condition when I arrive. The WRSC operating in normal condition will be the final word.

GB................DLS

 

If the ATA must get the grounds ready for the 2016 Grand they will know how the OSTA felt. The OSTA had to do just that in vandalia. If one roll of toilet paper was used out of a full case the OSTA was billed for the entire case. The use of the grounds was not pro gratis. I hope they have the foresight to have a capable mechanic check out the trap machines ahead of time. They must throw quality targets or shooters will not return. I know I am having trouble convincing myself that $34.00 a hundred is not excessive for the poor quality that was thrown in 2015. Roger C.

 

The members of the EC and BOD probably have everything needed already covered. When asked directly how they are going to take care of all the expense the saying," Don't ask. I know a guy", comes to mind.

And Roger, do you think it will only be $34.00

 

They increased the prices for camping by 50%, figure the price of targets is going to get a hefty increase also to cover expenses plus the increase for the fees to the State of Illinois per event ... I proposed some numbers a couple of months ago that might end up being reasonably close for those who attend so they have the shooting experience of a life time and no place to go when the day is done ... The WSRC is said to be the Premier of Premier shooting facility's so common sense and reasonable logic applied should tell people if you wanna play, you gotta pay ... The State of Illinois has paved the way and shown how no to do it, now a simple process of not doing it that way can turn that thing around ... I also proposed a daily fee for entrance to the sacred grounds of say $10.00 children under 6 free if they are over 5 ft tall to ride the ride ... This is not unrealistic and can work if everyone steps up and does their part ... The people of the State of Illinois need you now more than ever before, open your wallet and your heart for those less fortunate ... I won't be there, I 'm sure I can find something else to do ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I've also heard the upcoming 2016 Grand will once again offer an opening ceremony with a parade and entertainment. Grntitan, hunter44, likes to shoot and others will lead the parade on their riding lawnmowers while Gipson will drive the long missing ATA tractor pulling the entertainment float. Entertainer is currently in flux as Jarrod from Subway can't make next years festivities but Big Don may be available. Should be great fun!

 

BIG DON would be great entertainment! I hear he loves parades. It doesn't matter what costume he wears you know where he is.



The hand gesture gave it away?

 

Flyersarebest. If the ATA has to increase the price of targets. You can bet your bippie all clubs will do the same. The affect will be to chase many middle income people to a lessor expensive sport. Now the price will be increased again to carry the overhead and we will loose more shooters. I guess this will be the fall out for many of the UNWISE moves of the BOD and the EC. I would hate to have my name connected with the demise of the ATA and our good sport.

Maybe BIG DON is saluting our leaders ? NAH he is to much the gentleman do do such a dasterdly act. Is he not? Roger C.

 

Roger... I don't think all clubs would charge more for their targets if they start to lose shooters. It's a fine line now, as it is, and to add even more to the cost of targets would be cutting their own throats. Clubs are not that ignorant. Only the ATA can make that claim with any certainty....

 

Just finished a call with a friend on the East coast who feels Dean Townsend is still in good shape to become the facility manager or whatever title they have for the job. I don't know him but he'll have quite a task before him.

Quick question - did anyone know a tractor disappeared a few years back and still works quite well today on a piece of property owned by a former bigwig?

 

And whom would that be?

 

Yep, I heard it was a nice tractor that what's his name needed on his personal property. You guys remember good old what's his name.

 

How many machines are at Sparta? I know how long it takes me to pull maintenance on a Pat Trap just replacing service parts (brake, brush, bands, O-rings and throwing arm rubber), lubing zerks and chain.

If there is only one fellow, he had better get started soon. Need hoses, re timing or a chain? Time gets chewed up quickly if machines have been shorted on service. A loose wire can really mess up your schedule.

This one hopes the '16 Grand (and many more) is indeed in Sparta.

 

Ditto to F.G. D

Does the tractors new owner have a name? Inquiring minds would like to know. Can 501's give stuff to exec's ? Can a no name individual steal or borrow for an indefinite time period items belonging to a non profit? Things do have a way of disapering around ATA headquarters do they not? 8 trap machines, two trap machines stripped of parts and then scraped, voice calls, and how many items we do not know about yet. I wonder how many others the IRS or the Ill. state will turn up?

When it starts to happen we are going to need bushel baskets of pop corn. Wonder who has purchased enough to corner the market on it? Roger C.

 

Is Gipson the Talking Head traveling on our dime to all those shoots?

 

Traveling, eating driving, motel you name it, Company business you know ..? WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

He is asking for donations so he can do more traveling, didn't you get your letter yet?

 

Yes, actually I did and used it as butt wipe and mailed it back ... Thanks for asking ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I am betting the Cardinal Center would consider running the shoot if there was a ten year deal. Anything less no deal. They have a great shoot "Cardinal Classic" in August. As the Classic continues to grow why invite problems?