Airplane Explained - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Airplane Explained

Date: Feb 1, 2005

".....an airplane that will be used for player recruiting and possibly by Southern Miss academic departments as well."

That's not the impression I was given when this thing was first announced. I thought it said something about the president using it. I must be mistaken. Surely the president doesn't fly in order to recruit players. But it's certainly decent of them to say that the plane might "possibly" be used by academic departments as well.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

"Giannini would not release the contract regarding the plane because it was handled through the Athletic Foundation which is a private foundation . ."

Private = secret? Then why would it be necessary to keep the contract secret? It appears that the ones who might not be privy to full disclosure would include the academic departments using the airplane (and paying their share).

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Those two lawyers wouldn't be anyone we know, would they?

RC

Date: Feb 1, 2005

I don't know why all the secrecy. If the plane plan ever materializes, sooner or later, someone will see it used.

Airplanes don't have license plates. They are identified by their so-called "N-number," which is written in large figures on the body and tail of the plane. You can trace planes using that number.

You can search FAA records by mail. Write Federal Aviation Administration Mike Monroney Aero Center, 6500 South MacArthur Drive, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125. Or call (405) 954-3116.

My guess is that Bud Holmes is in the mix somewhere.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dumb as The Rock
"Airplanes don't have license plates. They are identified by their so-called "N-number," which is written in large figures on the body and tail of the plane. You can trace planes using that number."

It will be interesting to learn in whose name (or names) the plane is registered. Maybe it will carry a corporate ownership nom d'Aplomb that will appeal to Miss Information. Two lawyers? Hmmmm. Maybe the "Legal Eagle" would be a good name for the craft.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

It seems the Athletic Boosters (aka Thames Boosters) are getting exactly what they wanted from SFT. A "big name" basketball coach, an airplaine, etc. The other article in the HA today mentions how the Athletic Foundation thinks he is doing such a great job as prez! The plot thickens.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: High Flyer
"Two lawyers? Hmmmm. Maybe the "Legal Eagle" would be a good name for the craft."

My nomination for the plane's name: "The Magnificent Man and his Flying Machine."

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Delta Dawn
"My nomination for the plane's name: "The Magnificent Man and his Flying Machine." "

That modest inscription would look very good on the side of the plane.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Just heard that the 2 legal eagles are Dvorak and Hanbury. Right on , RC!!

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Do they have that kind of money?

I'm not a CPA, but I will guarantee there is some kind of tax advantage in letting the University use the plane.

Also, don't you love it that people who "care" about the University have $$ for an airplane and no $$ for books??

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Can I use the plane to take campus visits for job interviews? You know spread the good word around better schools.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

"Giannini would not release the contract regarding the plane because it was handled through the Athletic Foundation which is a private foundation . ."

Giannini is BAD, BAD news and his wife is his town crier.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Lunch Buddy
"Just heard that the 2 legal eagles are Dvorak and Hanbury. Right on , RC!!"

Now I am confused. Although I think RC might be on to something, I think Lunch Buddy is wrong it cannot be D&H. The article specifically stated that one of the lawyers were from Hattiesburg. Even though neither of the above are originally from H'burg they are here now.

I belive that RG said one of the lawyers was from H'burg and it is implied that the other was not.

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Maybe it will crash with all the morons on board ??

Date: Feb 1, 2005

Can someone explain why we needed that bond for athletics? Sell the part of the plane that the "private" foundation owns!

Date: Feb 2, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Amy Young
"Can someone explain why we needed that bond for athletics? Sell the part of the plane that the "private" foundation owns!"

Amy:

I was confused yesterday but I am ok now! I agree with your question. I did some snooping and found from a very reliable source that in fact the Atheletic Foundation did purchase 1/3 of the plane and one local lawyer did purcahse 1/3 of the plane but also Thames and sons purcahsed the other 1/3.

Now this is very intersting. The question becomes how do you track who uses the plane and who pays for the fuel. What purpose is the palne used for??????

The fact that RG made the statement in the paper that other departmnets can use the plane at cost seems to me like you could by use of FOI get to the bottom of this.

Who will pay the pilot's salary? Will the pilot be a University employee or an employee of the Atheletic Foundation? Whne the pilot files his flight paln what is the point of arrival? Who are the passengers? How many days will the palne be at the destination it travels to? The pilot must stay with the plane so if it is used for the lawyer, who is really paying the salary? How do you trace the money?

SFT states he has to go on a University trip and uses the plane. How do we know this is really true?

Date: Feb 2, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Wing Man
"[the plane] . . . Thames and sons purcahsed the other 1/3. Now this is very intersting . . . RG made the statement in the paper that other departmnets can use the plane at cost."

Does this mean that any USM employee who owns 1/3 interest in an airplane can "sell" use of the plane to the university? I thought state laws precluded such comingling of interests between a university employee and the university itself. Assuming what you say, Wing Man, this is an important question. Does anybody know the answer?

Date: Feb 2, 2005

Photo of USM insurgents in the field near the Pine Belt Regional Airport...

Date: Feb 2, 2005

Why are his sons purchasing part of this plane? I see the ugly Nepotism word yielding it's illuminating head once again. How can this be distinguished. And, is their part in the purchase legal?

Date: Feb 2, 2005

This is all very puzzling, if true. Do you begin to get the feeling that SFT knows his time is running out and is hurrying around to collect all the goodies he can before it's too late?
Even if he's no longer prez, there will be some sort of contract in place regarding this plane and the University will be stuck with it.

The first employee let go due to budget cuts needs to yell long and loud if USM has money for a pilot!

Date: Feb 2, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken Soup Lady
The first employee let go due to budget cuts needs to yell long and loud if USM has money for a pilot! "

Let them eat cake!

Date: Feb 2, 2005

DADDY - when you and Scott and Clay gave money for the athletic program back around 1999, I was able to give my contribution that you gave me to academics. But now that you and Clay and Scott are up to it again - do I get to use the plane too. I've hated flying commerical on my recent conference trips to Great Britain and Hawaii because Coach is beneath me. So, what will be my cut in this Pie. My followers almost believe that I am royalty - as well they should. DADDY, what now?

Date: Feb 2, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Clay Scott
"Why are his sons purchasing part of this plane? I see the ugly Nepotism word yielding it's illuminating head once again. How can this be distinguished. And, is their part in the purchase legal?"

Simple. Tax write off. As "big" athletic boosters, they get to ride the plane. Plus the university does the maintenance. Beats buying your own plane & trying to justify it to the IRS. (As a rule dentists don't much need to fly around a lot on business...)

Of course, the fact that their big donations play well with the folks who are really deciding their Papa's future (i.e., the IHL board) certainly can't be underestimated.

Has anybody tallied up the Thames' contributions & calculated exactly how much it costs to purchase the presidency of the University of Southern Mississippi?

Date: Feb 4, 2005

Can anyone make out the rather strange story about the airplane in today's Hattiesburg American? How does Diversified Products fit in, are they university or not? What exactly is going on? It all sounds so convoluted that it makes me wonder about the ethics.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

the diversified products story is tied to some bill that failed in the House. It would have allowed diversified products, for example (their words in the story--so it could have applied to others) to receive money because the paint produced is environmentally friendly. shelby says he has divested himself from southern diversified products, but if such a bill had passed USM would have benefitted.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"shelby says he has divested himself from southern diversified products, but if such a bill had passed USM would have benefitted. "

Under MURA, Thames had to divest himself of his interests in Southern Diversified Products when he became president. How that was accomplished is another question entirely & one that I've never seen answered.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" Under MURA, Thames had to divest himself of his interests in Southern Diversified Products when he became president. How that was accomplished is another question entirely & one that I've never seen answered. "

Good question. Was it placed in a blind trust such as sometimes happens at higher levels of government? Was it conveyed to an undisclosed person?

Was sold? Why are there so many things related to USM that are maintained in secrecy? The airpline ownership, and now this.