In the weekly local paper here in Sparta, there is a front page article about the ATA leaving Ohio. I will try and touch on the highlights.
............................................................
Headline reads:
ATA leaving Ohio, but where will they put their offices?
...................................................................
The County Journal confirmed that this week that the ATA will move its offices to Illinois. The question is: Where in Illinois?
Lynn Gipson, the neew ATA Executive Director of the ATA, said the offices will move by this coming spring or summmer.
"We don't yet know for sure just where they be yet," Gipson said. "There are a lot of details to work out first."
Sparta Mayor Charles Kelly said he has been talking with the ATA since August about a location for their offices. They have been shown some places for possible use in Sparta, but Kelly says nothing has been settled.
Gipson said he was in Sparta January 9 and 10 working on some moving details.He took over as the Executive Director of the ATA January 1. The position had been vacant for several months.
Gipson said the ATA has a Vandalia staff of 8 to 10 people, and they have been told about the move to Illinois.
"They have been invited to move with us," said Gipson. "They have time to respond, but most have not decided yet."
Gipson, who lives in Smithville Missouri, near Kansas city, said he will move to this area, but not necessarily Sparta.
"I want to get the offices moved first, then myself," he said.
Travis Loyde, the Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said the ATA has secured nothing with the state as far as the move is concerned.
"I have made it clear in the past what Illinois' requirements are for the ATA to obtain property here," said Loyde. "That is as far as the conversation went."
Loyde said several years agothe ATA wanted a 100-year lease agreement for property, then held up on any action.
"They know our requirements," said Loyde. "There have have been no formal discussions lately."
The ATA has also discussed movinh its Hall Of Fame and museum from Vandailia to Sparta. A drawing of a building has even been made public.
Recently, Jim Bradford, the Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, said the ATA and the Hall Of Fame are considering a "joint venture building."
Gipson, meanwhile, is quite familiar with the ATA. He has been the shoot-off manager at the Grand American for the past two years, and last year he was the assistant tournament director. He has been in the trap shooting sport for 40 years and has been serving as the Missouri delegate on the ATA executive board. He will not seek re-election to that psoition.
............................................................................................
Article from the: "County Journal"
............................................................
Headline reads:
ATA leaving Ohio, but where will they put their offices?
...................................................................
The County Journal confirmed that this week that the ATA will move its offices to Illinois. The question is: Where in Illinois?
Lynn Gipson, the neew ATA Executive Director of the ATA, said the offices will move by this coming spring or summmer.
"We don't yet know for sure just where they be yet," Gipson said. "There are a lot of details to work out first."
Sparta Mayor Charles Kelly said he has been talking with the ATA since August about a location for their offices. They have been shown some places for possible use in Sparta, but Kelly says nothing has been settled.
Gipson said he was in Sparta January 9 and 10 working on some moving details.He took over as the Executive Director of the ATA January 1. The position had been vacant for several months.
Gipson said the ATA has a Vandalia staff of 8 to 10 people, and they have been told about the move to Illinois.
"They have been invited to move with us," said Gipson. "They have time to respond, but most have not decided yet."
Gipson, who lives in Smithville Missouri, near Kansas city, said he will move to this area, but not necessarily Sparta.
"I want to get the offices moved first, then myself," he said.
Travis Loyde, the Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said the ATA has secured nothing with the state as far as the move is concerned.
"I have made it clear in the past what Illinois' requirements are for the ATA to obtain property here," said Loyde. "That is as far as the conversation went."
Loyde said several years agothe ATA wanted a 100-year lease agreement for property, then held up on any action.
"They know our requirements," said Loyde. "There have have been no formal discussions lately."
The ATA has also discussed movinh its Hall Of Fame and museum from Vandailia to Sparta. A drawing of a building has even been made public.
Recently, Jim Bradford, the Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, said the ATA and the Hall Of Fame are considering a "joint venture building."
Gipson, meanwhile, is quite familiar with the ATA. He has been the shoot-off manager at the Grand American for the past two years, and last year he was the assistant tournament director. He has been in the trap shooting sport for 40 years and has been serving as the Missouri delegate on the ATA executive board. He will not seek re-election to that psoition.
............................................................................................
Article from the: "County Journal"