Warbird Information Exchange

i know that alot of members here are from below the canada border and might not understand this but the idea of the petition everyone knows of it...

Th CASM Museum in toronto downsview is being forced to close its doors forever because of some financial crisis or something. Anyways we need 10,000 signings. if we could please get some more here. I am not wasting your time!!


http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/pet ... 3650d02858

thank you

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenvox
http://www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca

Signed!

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Now I'm confused.

How will 10,000 signatures solve the financial crisis, if that is indeed the reason for the museum closing?

I'm all for helping out the Museum (I visited it in the early days, and found it a friendly place manned by nice folks with some good artifacts on display) and am happy to sign the petition. Howver, I'm unsure as to what support the Museum really needs to avert closure, and the reasons for this action. Is it because of a financial crisis with the museum itself, or due to the site owner wishing to re-develop the site? Are there plans to relocate the museum, or will the collection be dispersed and the museum closed down altogether?

Actually Darren there's more to the story...

The Canadian Air and Space Museum currently resides at 65 Carl Hall Road which is located in Downsview Park, Toronto, Canada. There are several other tenants in the building as well. The great significance of the property is that it was previously known as the DeHavilland Aircraft Plant #1. This was the plant that built aircraft such as the Tiger Moth, Mosquito, and the famous Beaver. In later years it was where the first Canadian satellite (Alouette) was built and where development of the Canadarm was begun. It was also a Canadian Forces base. In short, this building has immense historical value in regards to Canada's aviation and aerospace history.

In early September the landlord, Parc Downsview Park, a Crown corporation, handed CASM and the other tenants an eviction notice. Admittedly the museum was in arrears for rent payment but when CASM tried to make up the arrears their cheque was returned a few days later. The intent of PDP is to either raze the building or conduct some serious renovations to conclude a $20M deal that would turn the property into a four pad hockey arena. Ironically one of the 'core values' of PDP is Legacy.

At this point the landlord has changed the locks and is not allowing CASM to conduct normal business. They are allowing volunteers and members to remove and pack up artifacts but are not allowing previously booked tours into the building. They have given the museum a 6 month ultimatum to vacate the property and word is out that they will negotiate with CASM for short term storage and possible relocation alternatives within the park. CASM boasts the only metal built, full size replica of the Avro Arrow amongst its' displays and is currently restoring a Avro Lancaster.

I am not a member nor have I yet visited CASM, but I would encourage all Canadians to support the museum by signing the online petition, notifying their MP or by donating.

More info on CASM:

http://www.casmuseum.org/

The online petition can be seen here:

http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/longterm-reprieve-and-protection-of-historical-site-at-65-carl-hall-road/355

BTW, my first post

thanks shawn, i have been to the museum and inside the hangars before. De haviland and i belive avro were there at one point in tim...

thanks for the signers!!

we need every signature we can get!!!

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenvox
http://www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca

Signed, although I feel for anyone who picks a fight against hockey in this country, especially in Toronto.

As a lifelong aviation enthusiast living in the Toronto area, I didn't even realise the sheer amount of history that has taken place minutes from where I live. I hope the museum survives so none of it is lost.

Maybe we can get Don Cherry on our side.

What is really needed is 10,000 signatures on $100 bills.

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Kevin McCartney

While I hope the Museum survives this problem, most do not realize that they have been operating pretty much month to month for a few years now and have not done much to improve their plight. The rent is rumored to be around 15k per month and I doubt they are averaging anything near that in revenue
There has been much in fighting between the Board , volunteers etc with dismissals, firing etc. It seems like it has always been like that there.
Secondly , while the buildings are very historically important, they are located in an area that is less than ideal for the general public. They are is disrepair and would take millions to upgrade to proper standards
Also, the Museum needs to get people more aware of it's existence. Lots of people even aviation people have no idea that it even exists.
However, the biggest issue is the repeated rumors of the instability of the Board Directors over the years. This issue is well known within the aviation community and it hurts the Museum and it's reputation more than they actually realize.
Please don't get me wrong I am behind the Museum as a whole and hope it survives but the people running it need to take a serious look at what is happening , put egos and control issues aside and get together and agree on a common plan of direction for the Museum.

At this point the Landlord has stated that it does not want the tenant ( Museum) there any longer.
Doubtful that a petition will change their minds seeing that they returned 22k of rent back to the Museum.
The owners want to improve their property and the amount of income it generates, They have offered to back off and give the museum 6 month to move out so they are trying to ease the pain slightly.
Good luck to them and I hope a miracle happens

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

Very nicely put Cam, hope they get things sorted out and fast!

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Cheers,
Peter

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i hope so too....like i really

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenvox
http://www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca

I wish this museum luck, but I don’t sign online petitions as it’s an exercise in futility and way too much bandwidth is devoted to them with no results. There’s a reason that REAL petitions have to be signed and identified to the person signing them. Nobody with purse strings is going to care what someone in a totally different country who will likely never visit the museum has to think about anything. Look up the term “slacktivism” and you’ll get a feel for it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacktivism There’s a really good editorial on the whole concept here: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)