[Double Venom]

Bill, Et.al;

I think I am the only one that can answer that question fully, and without reservation. The following is fact, without malice, (never had any), and without prejudice.

We have to start at the beginning so all of you can understand. First and foremost, it is certainly NOT EGO, or a battle between two factions, at least when this all started.

Last year, when I had to cancel the Fling, because of the Sniper, Jack May with the LSCC volunteered, like many, to hold the Fling. I don't know if any of you realize just how much work, organization and planning they did before I pulled the rug out from under them, but what they did was certainly not short of amazing! In a few short weeks they had 'venues', events, hotels, and schedules all laid out, ready to go. The city was welcoming us with wide-open arms. Would it have been as open as London? I don't know.

Part 'B' of the story. This is another fact, nothing more, nothing less. At the same time the LSCC was trying every thing in their power to make sure the Fling went on, Frank Fostoria (sp) with Ricks help was determined to take over the Fling and still hold it in London. I advised them quite openly on this forum, many times in fact, and as tactfully as I could that the London Fling WAS cancelled and for GOOD AND NECESSARY reasons that I could not divulge at the time. Frank, for what ever reason, refused to let it go and insisted he (they) weren't concerned about the sniper, 'he' the sniper hadn't been heard of for weeks. Frank stated HE had already contacted CF, London etc. and that he was going on with the Fling in London regardless of the Sniper.

It was at this point that I had no other choice but to ask Frank and Rick to meet me in person, which they did. Having just retired after 27 years, 9 months and days, (but who was counting?) from the Columbus Police Dept. I had personal information regarding the Sniper. Now I was forced to do something I never, would have believed possible, I had to break my ethics, and my pledge that I had kept all those years.

I informed Frank and Rick personally that a trap was in the making to draw the sniper out. The military was even involved for crying out loud. Seems the thinking was the Sniper had gone into hiding for, possibly many reasons, but one of them was to wait and take out at least one COBRA! In fact I was in the planning stages to use the DV and one other brave Flinger and his Cobra as bait to see if we couldn't pull him out to the open. "We”, even though we had no proof suspected the Sniper might have been following this forum too.

Tally for Columbus' Sniper; untold number of cars struck, (Unknown to Frank and Rick, he had been doing this for years, not just months!), one driver wounded, one passenger Killed!

And, to make it even easier for the Sniper, many, many of our Cobra family would have been driving right through the middle of his A.O., including parts of the events that we were going to hold for the DVSF IV.

Back to current date: Everyone knows by now why I just couldn't organize the Fling this year. In fact Wendy has been rescheduled for the exact same operation this coming Tuesday, 2-22-05. Seems her latest MRI's show more tumor (???) in the same location as before. We, they are not sure what is happening, but they felt that a second operation is necessary.

Coming to a conclusion, really. Back to "The Reason's". Previously, Frank WAS asked to help with the Fling and he DID. He was one of the party's that were responsible for getting the Airport to allow is to play on their runways. Frank made multiple meetings, mostly late in the evening and driving quite a distance to attend.

When he was asked again, (regardless of what SOME people say, I do ask for help from many people and I normally do get it!)
Frank said he had to decline this time. He did not have the kind of time anymore that was needed, he was to old, (his words, not mine) and that he just couldn't make all the drives back and forth to London.

Keeping all that in mind it never entered my mind to ask Frank again to help, let alone run the entire thing!
I very humbly, practically on my knees, called Jack May and asked him if the LSCC would volunteer once again to host the Fling? They quickly put their heads together, re-contacted the people they had to contact, and took a couple of votes. And said YES. The ball was rolling, Hotels were contacted and selected, and event organization was being made with all the frills. It appeared that Jack and the LSCC were even outdoing their goals from last year. At least two solid weeks of organizing were behind them, money was spent, or at least allocated, and then Frank pops up with his "Stay tuned" post.

There you have it. No frills, no exaggerations, just the facts. Why Frank decided to do this is beyond me. SO, you make the call. The City of London WAS notified and why. I am sure they are more than a little confused too.

As much as I love London, if possible to attend, I WILL be going to Cleveland. Plain and simple-- Thank you Jack and the great people of the LSCC. Iam so sorry for what has happened, it truly makes me ill. The Fling was for 'YOU', not to tear you apart.

Ed 'DV' Combs

P.S. OK, Jack types faster and post faster than I do!