Some sad news that I have put off for long enough.
 

An open letter to "our" Cobra family;

By now I am sure that all of you have heard about our "sniper" in the Columbus area. To date I think the total of cars hit/shot is up to 22, with one fatality. The last and most current shooting just occurred last Saturday.

In the last month I have received three e-mails concerning our sniper. I honestly had never given it much thought until two weeks ago when the sniper started changing venues. He has now struck three separate county's. Franklin-Columbus, Fairfield-south of us and now Madison. Madison is "Our" county.

I can not, in good faith bring our family from all over the country to our area and take a chance that this %$#%$ - could take a shot at your car or even at one of you. I was hoping against hope that my brothers in blue would nail this guy before now, but it just hasn't happened.

It's a sad day to have to cancel "The Fling" because of something like this, but I see no other choice. To those that have made us "infamous", Turk, Semko's, jolly Jamo, BlackJack, Wade, etc., etc., I can never say thank you enough, It has truly been an honor to be associated with each and every one of you.

To Jenny, "we" shall not forget you young lady! Our hearts and spirit will always be behind you...always!

DV...I have to go now while I can still see through the mist. God Bless all of you!

UNBELIEVABLE! I hadn't even heard of this sniper deal. Of course I've spent most of the last month at the plant. Man, this really stinks! How about we all still come up, and we'll change the plan, first one to bag the sniper wins a door prize. So is this guy trying to shoot at the people in the car, or just trying to hit the cars? Sorry to sound ignorant on this subject, but like I said I've never heard of this until now.

Whoa DV,

That's pretty heavy.

I don't think I have the word "surrender" in my vocabulary.

If he's still operating when Fling IV rolls around, I suggest we put together a hunting party of our own.

I'm not gonna let some two-bit terrorist run my life!

Tom

"I refuse to join the paranoids"

The Fling is a legend that should continue...
 

DV,
I understand your concerns about it 100%. My wife and I had even discussed that.
But we've got to find a way to make the Fling go on. It's such a wonderfull event, such a great time. There is nothing like it. We can't let one #$#@ scare us all away.

But before cancelling, I would wait. I think this guy will get caught. As noted in the next post, this guy is getting brave. He's asking to get caught. DV, have faith in your fellow law enforcement officers. They'll get him.

As you know, the Fling holds an extremely important place in my heart. We've got to find a way to go on with it. Even if I have to do it myself!! But I'd wait, I think we should be good to go in Ohio. Have faith in your boys in blue. Where there's a will, there's a way!!!

Steve

HEY DV...

still lots of time for the sniper to get caught by the men in blue..it is only Feb for Xmas sake !!! the fool shooter is getting more daring and has now been witnessed, it is only a matter of time. hopefully REAL SOON that they get him...June is a LONG way away !! Pick a GO/NO GO date and decide then, not now. Bill.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
 

They will get this guy.

I am afraid I am going to have to whole heartedly disagree with this. This guy, just like a terrorist, is trying to get us to live in fear. I won't do it. I won't change my life because some crack pot is trying to get me to do so.

I hope you change your mind. Otherwise folks, how do we make the Fling go on?

Rick

DV,

From what I have read about this guy, he is getting more brazen in his attacks. Surely he will be caught within 5 months time. The Fling must go on.

Man, the posts are flying in on this. Bill, Rick...you and I are on the same lines, but as I give it some thought from DV's perspective, his go/no go timeframe probably needs to be months earlier than you and I think because he also has to do a go/no go on the time investment just getting it organized. If I were in his shoes, I would be nervous about investing tons of time and $$ still having this crackpot out there.

Sorry to hear it... Have been watching the news over here in Europe. I hope they catch the nutter before things get worse and that you guys can carry on with the event.

Prays are being said.

Skippy.

Rick, et. al.,
I respect your entusiasm, as well as I hope you respect my decision. There is a lot of information that you do not know about and I am not at liberty to discuss.

The canceling of the DVSF was not thought of lightly, nor was it my decision alone. "WE" thought this guy was going to be caught before December!

To many people have to make plans or change plans months in advance. This is the reason that I have made this decision at this time. I couldn't dare risk the "chance" that he may be caught before all our cobras come into town. IF, in fact he is caught in a reasonable amount of time, I will assure you that we will continue on. If it was up to me, I'd put a target on my Cobra and drive all the freeways until I caught the SOB.

DV...If someone else in another venue wants to hold a picnic I am behind you 100%. Central Ohio is NOT the place to be right now with these cars.

DV,

Sorry to hear this, however it has been on my mind also as I watch the local news, since I am only 2 and a half hours out of Columbus. I have made my reservations and plan to keep them with the hope and faith that this guy will be caught by then and we can resume as planned, but I am sure you are at the point where plans have to be made or not, and deposites put down. So decisions have to be made, and I am sure this was a hard one. I agree with klayfish, is there another location, close but out of the general area where the Fling can be set up? Springfield, Dayton, ect... Is it possible to make tenitive plans with the hope this guy is behind bars by then, and at worse case cancel at a later date?

Just some thoughts. Best wishes DV and we'll stand behind any decision that is made considering the safety of everyone. Watch yourself up there, I heard they think this guy is driving a black sports car and was actually spotted at the last 2 shootings? Keep your head down and be carful DV!!

Jim

This subject has also been discussed by my wife and myself, about a month ago. While there are concerns, it will not stop us from going to the Fling. This event has to go on......

Nooooooooooo! No Way.....!
 

We CANNOT let this loonie's actions cancel the Fling....we simply cannot allow this to happen. If we do...then HE'S WON! ...and I won't be party to this....!

Say it ain't so, Ed.....say it ain't so!

Surely, they'll catch this bastard....and if they don't "catch him:...maybe they'll get close enough to help him take a dirt nap for a long, long time....

Ed....please.....you're ruinin' my buzz....! Stop talking this way....!

Have all of the sniper's shootings taken place on the interstate highway system? If so, would there be any wisdom to simply keeping the cobras off the interstates-and traveling about using only the 2-lane state roads? I really hate to see my favorite event of the whole year messed up by a malcontent moron. (Just a suggestion.) DV doesn't want to see anybody in the cobra family hurt, but we can't let terrorists win.

Wow!! Not good news!

Just as I was on an airplane two weeks after Sept 11, I'll be in Ohio June 25.

Not an overly macho attitude. Just the realization that there are wacko bastards everywhere - not just Ohio! I will not be intimidated.

I admire your concern for the "family's" welfare, DV, but just can't see changing plans because of this guy - especially this far in advance.

I'm comin' -- the Fling must go on!

See you there!
Dwain

calling that prick a "sniper" is a disservice to our men in uniform that earned that title and defend our freedoms. He is a POS, a terrorist, a psychopath, and a poor shot; but he is not a sniper.

DV is right
 

Dv is right to protect the cobra family.

So......... it's up to someone/group in a nearby state to step up to the plate and organize it at a different town/ track. Surely there are other suitable locations and don't you think someone else sould share the load of an event this large , DV's shoulders are only so big.

Just my $.02 worth.
Perry.

Wow DV, while I can understand the feeling there (it wasn't too long ago we had a similar situation here in the DC area), I can't see cancelling the Fling this early. :CRY:

Any chance of putting off the decision till later (maybe April?) :rolleyes:

DV: I do respect your calling this thing now-----If it is over by fling time maybe just a whole day at the Wing Place could be done. We could just converge for the day, I'm sure the business would go for it, and have a party. The other thing I'm sure of is we all care for Jenny--Instead of raffles etc. put out a bucket to fill. We wouldn't have as many expenses so we could give more! We gotta do something if the sniper is in custody by then--even if it is just a week before.

John and Carol Mahan

I absolutely respect your decision Ed. I have never known your heart to be any where but in the right place.

You said that if they catch this guy in time...... . I can only begin to comprehend the amount of time it takes to put together the Fling so what date do you consider the go/no-go date?

I hope you won't mind that if you do not do the Fling June 25-27 that we do something instead. Of course it won't be DVSFIV but if enough folks are interested in helping out we can put something together for those who would like to attend. Same hotels, same dates.

Rick