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March 28, 2024

Breast Feeding or Something Bigger?

By Kirk Allen & John Kraft

On November 27, 2012

EDGAR CO. (ECWd) –

In a time in our country when more and more personal rights are being violated, as evident by none other than 4 former Edgar County employees, it’s disgusting enough to see the issue of trying to ban a baby from a public facility over breast feeding but now with time and research more is coming to the surface.

Edgar County has a known history of intimidation and disregard for the law by its public officials and it appears the exposure of actions from the Airport employees is producing the same behavior.

What has been verbalized to RSB Aviation is retaliation for a family standing their ground on their right to do nothing more than feed their child naturally.

According to the airport board members, they did not “hear” anything about breastfeeding during their last meeting and now the claim is being made that the discussion was about a child running around the property, although word has it that “some” are “possibly” remembering otherwise!

If, and its a very big IF, a child running around was true, would it make any sense at all for a father to fabricate a breast feeding story?  Would it make any sense for the Grandfather, who was present during the meeting, fabricated the breast feeding story?  Would anyone in their right mind spend money to get private legal counsel on such a matter if it wasn’t true, all while knowing you would have a room full of people claiming it to be false? You dig into your pocket to spend money on an attorney when you are confident you have been violated or know your rights have been infringed.  That is normal!

Looking at the overwhelming comments and support for Rusty and his company, I find it hard to believe that Rusty Bogue fabricated the events outlined.

It has been confirmed that the board did make a motion and authorize Jimmy Wells to handle the situation as he sees fit.  So we must ask, WHAT SITUATION needed handled?

When you start to analyze things you find serious conflict with peoples position and the relation those positions have with both documented information and direct verbal confirmations.

For example, why does the employee at the airport take a county vehicle home at lunch every day?  It was expressed by Mr. Wells that it was because the employee was bothered by the breast feeding so now “We The People” pick up the tab for private use of public property yet again.  They don’t deny the employee takes the vehicle home for lunch so if breastfeeding wasn’t ever discussed, as the Board Members are claiming, why now does this employee need to be provided a vehicle to go home and eat?

The fact is he takes that vehicle home during lunch because he was bothered by the feeding, which happens during the lunch time frame! This whole problem started about the most basic right a mother has, a right to feed her child naturally!

When the board members were confronted and denied any discussion of breastfeeding taking place why was there no mention or clarification that the issue was about a child running around the office and/or hanger area not breastfeeding?

I suspect it is because that excuse hadn’t been thought of yet.  If the truthful issue was a child running around the property would it be so difficult to simply establish a policy properly for the public at large to comply with for the safety of everyone?

If it didn’t happen is Mr. Wells willing to face a lie detector?  Investigators use them so why not use them to get to the truth of this matter?

THE TRUTH HAS NO AGENDA!

Compound these events with the termination of the lease it would appear we have a case of intimidation from the county airport employee and board members who support this action.

This weekend generated a lot of upset people visiting the airport and letting Mr. Wells know how they feel about his actions.  During one of those discussions Mr. Wells expressed that it wasn’t all his idea to have RSB Aviation lease terminated.

Several people were present and heard that statement from Mr. Wells so more questions are generated.  Who is pulling the strings that Mr. Wells answers too?  No board action was taken on this matter so again, under what authority was this lease terminated?

A bigger question is under what authority was the lease issued?  Mr. Wells has no authority to issue leases at the airport according to statute so how is it that he would have authority to terminate one?  Its clearly not a power in his contract to establish and manage leases and even if it were, it has not been handled in compliance with the statue but that shouldn’t surprise anyone in Edgar County as its the norm in virtually every division of our County Government.

Don’t take my word for it, read it yourself!

General County Airport and Landing Field Act.

 620 ILCS 40/6) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 74)

  (Sec. 6. The county board of every county has the power (1) to lease all or any part of such an airport, landing field, facilities, and other structures, and fix and collect rentals therefor,(2) to fix, charge, and collect rentals, tolls, fees, and charges to be paid for the use of the whole or any part of such an airport or landing field, buildings, or other facilities, (3) to make contracts for the operation and management of such an airport, landing field, or other air navigation facilities, and (4) to provide for the use, management, and operation of such an airport, landing field, or air navigation facilities through lessees thereof, or through its own employees, or otherwise. However, no lease for the operation or management of such an airport, landing field, or air navigation facilities shall be made for more than one year except to the highest and best bidder, after notice of the lease or contract has been given by at least one publication, made at least one week before the date of the lease or contract, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.
(Source: Laws 1941, vol. 1, p. 463.)

Whats it mean?  The COUNTY BOARD has the power to lease!  Each numbered item is a COUNTY BOARD power granted.  The power to lease is not in the hands of the Airport Manager even though it is the Airport Manager who issued the lease.

Yet another example of a division of County Government that has neither read the statute its bound to or implemented and apply it as the law requires.

As usual, each and every time we dig into the operations of our public bodies we find things that have nothing to do with what first lead us to that public body.  In this case its become very clear yet more public employee’s taking advantage of the tax payer by use of public property for personal use.

We fully intend to expose that information in a separate article as to not cloud the issue pertaining to RSB Aviation.

In light of the outlined information it only makes sense for the County Board to ensure the law is being followed at the airport and immediately retract the bogus termination notice provided to RSB Aviation and take steps to start doing things the way the law outlines.  That is not asking to much!

Failure to do so has numerous legal ramifications but all those aside, do they really want to be responsible for the unemployment of 5 full time people and 3 part timers employed by RSB Aviation?  The impact of a family losing their business is bad enough but there is also 8 families being directly impacted over this bogus termination.

If we are to assume for the sake of argument that breastfeeding has nothing to do with this chain of events and its really about a child running around, are we going to allow something so trivial to directly impact the lives of so many people?

Does the Airport Board and Airport Manager really want to be responsible for 8 people loosing their jobs right before the Holidays?

Is the Airport Board and Airport Manager going to be the Grinch that stole Christmas for 9 families this year? 

Men of honor should stand up and fix this mess but I’m afraid based on the historic actions of our officials we are running short of any Men of Honor.  I pray they prove me wrong!

I urge everyone to attend the December 3rd, 2012 County Board meeting at 9 am at the Courthouse and express your concern over this matter.  The voice of the people is the beginning of fixing a broke system.  Each and every member of the public who attends has a right to 5 minutes of time to express their thoughts on any matter of concern to them.

If you KNOW you will be attending the meeting PLEASE post below in the comment section and let us know.  If we KNOW the number is so large that they all can’t fit into the Courtroom they will have to have the meeting at a different location!

God Help Edgar County and may God Help RSB Aviation!

 

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19 Comments
  • Donna Bussart-Stiff
    Posted at 20:49h, 27 November

    Donna Bussart-Stiff liked this on Facebook.

  • Blake
    Posted at 21:12h, 27 November

    I will be there to support Rusty and his family!

  • a concerned citizen
    Posted at 22:23h, 27 November

    If the beast feeding or toddler running around
    are true ,then something should have been discussed
    among all parties involved before now, the child is
    now a year and a half! I have known Jimmy for a
    couple of years and Rusty for more, neither one
    of them are bad people. I know Rusty has really
    done a great job publicizing Edgar County airport
    and is probably the sole reason for increased
    utilization which led to the recent expansion of a
    new. I must mention, at little or no cost to local
    taxing bodies. legalities aside, does it really
    make sense to evict a business who promotes our
    community like Rusty and his employees.

  • Doug Sutton
    Posted at 22:27h, 27 November

    As an Edgar County taxpayer and a pilot, I’m a user
    of the Edgar County airport. I’m not 100% sure of
    all the details involved in this matter, but if it
    has to do with breastfeeding a child, I see a lawsuit
    in the near future. As for the “child running around
    the office or hangar area”, My God, this is not
    Indianapolis International airport. RSB Aviation is
    an asset to Edgar County Airport. If not for them,
    there would be fewer pilots flying in and out of
    there, including me. I will definetly be at the Dec.
    3rd meeting to express my opinion!!!

  • Tim F.
    Posted at 22:27h, 27 November

    Stopped by the airport today to talk with Jimmy and
    he was no where to be found. Funny how that works.
    I also noticed a sign on the door stating they would
    no longer accept cash only check or credit. Who
    doesn’t accept cash? Maybe this goes deeper, did
    somebody get their hand caught in the cookie jar
    with a cover up?

  • Kirk Allen
    Posted at 22:29h, 27 November

    Message: What 4 former employees you confuse me
    going from baby feeding to this please explain

    Response: Two County Jailers that were convicted
    of sexual crimes against female inmates, and two
    County Deputies, Dee Burgin and Terry Rogers, for
    violating a girls civil rights in an illegal strip
    search.

  • Doug Sutton
    Posted at 22:36h, 27 November

    As an Edgar County taxpayer, local business person
    and pilot, I must say I’m outraged at this action
    by the board. RSB aviation is an asset to the
    airport. Breastfeeding or child in the office area,
    sounds like someone needs to get a life and quit
    whining. RSB Aviation creates a lot of business for
    the airport and I for one will fly out of another
    area airport from now on. They will appreciate my
    money!!!

  • Al Schneider
    Posted at 00:35h, 28 November

    I am a disabled Korean War Veteran who along
    with thousands of other young men and women
    spent 1952 fighting for our beloved Country.
    I watched thousands wounded and thousands
    killed. Through the grace of God many of us
    returned home. I love my country dearly. I
    am devastated by the events of the past few
    years, the last four years, the 6th and 7th
    of this month and and the next four years and
    what it is doing to and what it will continue
    to do to our beloved United States of America.
    I have suspected that nothing could possibly
    happen that might upset me more, however, I
    find that the recent events at the Edgar County
    Airport have proven this to be wrong.

    I hesitated to pen a note till I had all of the
    correct facts. This happening at the present time
    seems to be wishful thinking. It seems that there
    have been some “flip flopping” some folks apparently
    totally forgetting just exactly what might have
    been said or not said at a given time. Folks,
    what I do know for sure is that Rusty’s lease
    has been terminated effective December 31. There
    seems to be some uncertainty about what exactly
    brought this termination about but if the two or
    three things I have heard were all put together
    —– it would be totally and completely INSANE.
    I use this word until I can come up with something
    worse. I strongly feel that several folks I have
    for many years thought very highly of have
    completely lost their minds.

    Sadly, I feel that no matter how this turns out it
    will leave very bad feelings for years to come. I
    feel so very sad for Rusty, Ann and MJ.

    I have been a pilot in Edgar County longer than most.
    I started taking lessons at 14 years of age, could
    not solo till I was 15, could not get my private
    license till I was 16. I am now 82. Each of these
    events took place on my birthday. I had around 300
    hrs when I soloed and almost 1000 hours when I got
    my license. On my 16th birthday after my ticket was
    signed my first passenger was my Mother. I have landed
    and took off many, many times at every airport Edgar
    County ever had. I had a strip of my own just West
    of Grandview——-I mention this to show that I have
    always had a great interest in Aviation in Edgar
    County and have always been very proud of the Edgar
    County Airport and very proud of what Rusty has done
    at the airport. I gave Rusty his first flying lesson
    ———when he was in the 6th or 7th grade——–
    Radio controlled—–some have said that this could
    possibly have been a factor in his present day interest
    in aviation. I have rambled long enough–I pray to
    God that something good can be worked out.

  • Al Schneider
    Posted at 08:51h, 28 November

    I will very definetly be at the December 3 county board meeting

  • Citizen
    Posted at 09:20h, 28 November

    It would seem to me that all the improvements in recent
    years at the airport were done to increase commerce at
    the airport. Terminating the lease of a business that is
    bringing income to the county would seem to be like cutting
    off your arm to spite your hand.

    Anyone who has a problem with a breastfeeding mother likely
    has some issues they need to deal with themselves. It’s
    not like she was running around the airport topless (although
    that might drum up some business)

  • Dale Pufahl
    Posted at 17:49h, 28 November

    Is this for real? My parents live there and I use to fly at this
    airport a long time ago and I’m told this airport has made
    significant improvements in recent years. It appears the local
    government has another agenda and this usually means someone in
    the local government is going get a pay off if this happens.
    This smells like someone within the local government is corrupt
    or getting a bribe to push such a ridiculous actions. This is a
    terrible crime against the people of Edgar County….stand up
    if you feel the same.

    • Del Pufahl
      Posted at 20:02h, 28 November

      You are probably right on with your comment. Rusty and Ann
      have built up a business that shows tremendous potential.
      I would not be surprised to hear that someone else is already
      lined up to take over after Rusty and Ann have been removed.
      Breastfeeding was simply their excuse.

  • Bill Schodlatz
    Posted at 19:38h, 28 November

    I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Bogue and the joy of my
    first flight with him. The professionalism and courtesy was
    unbelievable He not only welcomed my son and I but you could
    feel the passion this young man has for aviation . It would be
    a true shame to let this mans ta”lent and passion for aviation
    leave this community . I’m sure other communities would love to
    have a gentleman like this be part of there lives . A true loss
    for edgar county.

  • Kirk Allen
    Posted at 23:34h, 28 November

    Kirk Allen liked this on Facebook.

  • Terry
    Posted at 20:26h, 29 November

    So, any truth to the story that the “tenant” was several months
    behind in rent thereby getting FREE office space from the
    taxpayers of Edgar county?

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 20:52h, 29 November

      No truth at all with that lie!

      There is, however, truth in that Jimmy is getting free storage
      for a private plane and private tools – when his employment
      contract says he has a small space to be used as the “manager’s
      work area. “Manager’s work area” means for his employment duties,
      not his private plane…

  • Ron Thompson
    Posted at 22:05h, 29 November

    I will be at the meeting. I rent and fly out of the airport.
    I know Rusty and Ann and they are great people and an asset
    to this community. It would be a great loss however I believe
    they are here to stay and plan on renting from RSB for the
    next two years. If they are forced to leave, me and a lot of
    other pilots will go elsewhere.

  • Cliff Macke
    Posted at 13:47h, 30 November

    I strongly support Rusty Bogue and his wonderful family as they are among the
    nicest people this community has living here. While this is quite sad for their
    family…what a shame that all the hard work spent on that facility out there
    has to be tarnished by this situation. In a community where having 2 working
    married parents is rare we should applaud what there doing NOT FIRE them for
    it. They have my support 100% !

  • Gary Geisler
    Posted at 09:51h, 01 December

    I want to express my support for Rusty Bogue and his family. I bought an airplane
    from Rusty and was impressed with his professionalism. He was very helpful during
    the buying process and with servicing my airplane. Edgar County will be the loser
    if you force him out of business.

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