On the advice of a friend I called the FBI and I think the situation is diffused. Here's the story:
I bought 35 acres about two years ago with a flying buddy down in Lake Wales Florida. During the last year I have been clearing and grading to make a path for a 1700 grass strip. We went to FAA and got airspace clearance for the strip, it was an easy process, just took 9 months.
During the clearing and burning of the debris we had some "neighbors" that are over a mile away complain about the grass strip going in. We got a visit from Code Enforcement and they suggested we file all the proper paper work from the County for an "official" grass strip. So we began. The County said we have 3 options, an international airport, an airport or a Fly In Community. Again, we asked for just a grass strip and they said no such thing, pick from one of the three. It was an easy choice, the fly in community only requires a level 3 approval. So back to the story.
We had a date with the planning commission of Polk County on July 8th along with many others who were trying to change zoning, get sub-divisions approved, and all kind of other issues. Our case finally came up at 5:00 p.m that afternoon after being there since 9:00 a.m. We had come prepared, we had the Chief pilot from the Division of Forestry, along with support from the Chief fixed wing pilot for Polk County Sherriff's Dept. After pleading our case to the Board along with the support of the State and County agencies pleading to have this "safety strip" for them approved, the opposition came forward. A group of people that live from 1/2 to 2 miles away from our land got up and spoke of how we would be a huge nuisance to their lifestyle. The issue went to a Vote and we won 6-1. Yeah.... We thought all was finally over.....not... I was then leaving the Boardroom and was threatened by an elderly gent ( who I will not name). This man made a few threats that I didn't take too seriously at first. First threat was he was going to kick my ... next threat was that I was going to get it for paying off the commisioners, then he threatened that any more equipment I brought to the property would never "run" again. He finally made the wrong threat and said that if a plane ever tried to take off of that ..... runway he would "bring it down".
I was telling my buddy the story and he said I shouldn't take that threat lightly and should call the Feds. So I went online, found the local office of the FBI which was in Lakeland and told them of the threat. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful they were. The agent got all of the information from me and said he would get back with me by the end of day. That afternoon I received a call back and he stated he had gotten with local law enforcement and would be diffusing the situation. The next day he called to ensure me that I shouldn't worry anymore. Both the FBI in their Surburbans and Sherrif's dept. rolled up to the trailer park the next morning and had an hour long conversation with my new friend. I wasn't privy to the whole conversation they had with him but I was told that there shouldn't be any more threats or worries. Our tax dollars at work.
I'll be posting pics shortly of the strip. Official name to be on the chart.... Bent Willies. I am a William and so is my partner, Hence the name. Any rv'rs will be welcome as long as you can land and depart on a curve.
Bill Whidden
RV-4
I bought 35 acres about two years ago with a flying buddy down in Lake Wales Florida. During the last year I have been clearing and grading to make a path for a 1700 grass strip. We went to FAA and got airspace clearance for the strip, it was an easy process, just took 9 months.
During the clearing and burning of the debris we had some "neighbors" that are over a mile away complain about the grass strip going in. We got a visit from Code Enforcement and they suggested we file all the proper paper work from the County for an "official" grass strip. So we began. The County said we have 3 options, an international airport, an airport or a Fly In Community. Again, we asked for just a grass strip and they said no such thing, pick from one of the three. It was an easy choice, the fly in community only requires a level 3 approval. So back to the story.
We had a date with the planning commission of Polk County on July 8th along with many others who were trying to change zoning, get sub-divisions approved, and all kind of other issues. Our case finally came up at 5:00 p.m that afternoon after being there since 9:00 a.m. We had come prepared, we had the Chief pilot from the Division of Forestry, along with support from the Chief fixed wing pilot for Polk County Sherriff's Dept. After pleading our case to the Board along with the support of the State and County agencies pleading to have this "safety strip" for them approved, the opposition came forward. A group of people that live from 1/2 to 2 miles away from our land got up and spoke of how we would be a huge nuisance to their lifestyle. The issue went to a Vote and we won 6-1. Yeah.... We thought all was finally over.....not... I was then leaving the Boardroom and was threatened by an elderly gent ( who I will not name). This man made a few threats that I didn't take too seriously at first. First threat was he was going to kick my ... next threat was that I was going to get it for paying off the commisioners, then he threatened that any more equipment I brought to the property would never "run" again. He finally made the wrong threat and said that if a plane ever tried to take off of that ..... runway he would "bring it down".
I was telling my buddy the story and he said I shouldn't take that threat lightly and should call the Feds. So I went online, found the local office of the FBI which was in Lakeland and told them of the threat. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful they were. The agent got all of the information from me and said he would get back with me by the end of day. That afternoon I received a call back and he stated he had gotten with local law enforcement and would be diffusing the situation. The next day he called to ensure me that I shouldn't worry anymore. Both the FBI in their Surburbans and Sherrif's dept. rolled up to the trailer park the next morning and had an hour long conversation with my new friend. I wasn't privy to the whole conversation they had with him but I was told that there shouldn't be any more threats or worries. Our tax dollars at work.
I'll be posting pics shortly of the strip. Official name to be on the chart.... Bent Willies. I am a William and so is my partner, Hence the name. Any rv'rs will be welcome as long as you can land and depart on a curve.
Bill Whidden
RV-4
