Let's face it, I was a controversial figure. I was married to Ginny who was well-liked on the island, yet we had split. No one knew we were just incompatible; after 13 years the relationship had grown stale. No, it had to be all my fault. And I was a good target for those with envy, having a beautiful house and property, an Alpaca farm, boats, and even an airplane and hangar! Most local folks were not so lucky by a long shot.
So I am a target. And I am vulnerable, for it could be said I had violated the town's rules regarding the airport. Many residents hated the airport and what it stood for: rich folks flying in for the weekend. Dick Gilder's professionally crewed twin flew in and out with family and friends, sometimes several times a weekend. It was a loud craft and couldn't be missed as it flew low along the length of the island, and then across and down, as it performed the landing pattern.
And then there was John Trevolta! I saw John fly his small fighter jet one time low up and down the length of the island, even though our airport field was too short for him to land. But what really ticked locals off was the Boeing 707 airliner stunt!
It was late in the afternoon when Ginny and I and two guests heard the roar of a big plane, so loud it brought us to our feet. We rushed outside onto the sun deck and saw a four engine jet lumbering up Seal Harbor at only a few hundred feet. Amazing! We were mesmerized by the roar and the sight. The huge plane was low enough to bank and make a final approach to our tiny air strip. But instead it continued east, crossing over the isthmus and then northerly on up the shore. It had to be Travolta, we agreed.
That incident offended many islanders including the publisher of the island newspaper who even complained to the FAA. It was another thorn in the side of locals; another reason to hate the airport and its users.
When I decided to build a hangar, there was only one which my friend John had erected the year before. Some residents were still angry that it was permitted to be built on town property. They wanted the area left open so they could walk their dogs and their sons could race and perform doughnuts with their cars. They also could voice their objection to goings-on at the airport, while they could do nothing about the state of Maine ferry service, the truly large thorn in their sides. At the ferry they faced ever-lengthening lines at the ferry and ever-increasing fares, but were powerless to object.
However, since there had been no legal way to prevent John's hangar, the town selectmen had to issue me a property lease for mine. However, they placed a number of restrictive clauses in the lease. One stated that most of the space was to be used only for airplane-related equipment. Violation of the lease covenants could result in the leasehold reverting back to the town.
A year or two later, Ginny was active in the committee that was sponsoring an extended living facility for the island. To raise funds for the home, she organized an auction of items donated by island families. The number of donated items mounted every day. Our garage was soon bursting so she was soon forced to items outside. She grew worried about possible damage from inclement weather. She also needed a large space in which she and others could sort and price the items. I offered my hangar. I could see no problem in violating the hangar lease for less than a month, and anyone could see it was for the benefit of an enterprise that would benefit the entire community.
The auction was a huge success and the extended living home was built. Ginny and I separated. We had bought her a home on the Chesapeake years before in anticipation of this eventuality, but I had no place to move to. So I bought a boat in Canada and moved it to Mobile, AL to work on it. One day I received legal notice down there that the town of Islesboro was seeking to seize and tear down my hangar for violation of my lease when I allowed the assisted living auction to use it. I was advised the matter would be dealt with at a board of selectmen meeting scheduled two weeks hence. I drove up to the island, surprised and intimidated by this legal action. But I saw no need to seek legal assistance because my so-called violation was temporary in nature and clearly for the benefit of the town, not done for my personal pleasure or profit. Surely they would understand.
At the meeting I was told I had to immediately sell the hangar or lose it. I stood and explained exactly why I had temporarily violated my lease and appealed to the selectmen's public spirit. But the selectmen had no interest in public spirit, for this was personal -- I didn't stand a chance.
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