A History of the CNTU from the beginnings of the OTU
as recounted by Danny Kinnear (former Secretary of OTU & CNTU)

I believe that October (1984) was the month we formed the OTU (Ontario Tippler Union), for the following reasons. George Vertolli put in a fly result of 17hrs 31min. for a New North American Old Bird Record. Only problem was that he never flew the race on race day like everybody else – Oskar and Gord Chatter. It was a miserable day but Oskar and Gord flew regardless, as it was our fly day.

George Vertolli decided he was going to fly on a better day. He decided to fly them on the following Wednesday. Paid two timers to take the day off and time him. Well nobody accepted this time, as it was not an official fly day. George Vertolli being the President overruled everybody and wanted it as the record, even though it was voted down. Him being President he thought he could do as he pleased, even though the members didn’t agree. That is when myself, Oskar and Kemo formed the OTU. But that was in the fall of 1984.

We had our first flys in 1985. I was just looking back at some of my records for flying in 1984. Oskar and I flew old birds in the CNTA in 1984. It was after the long day fly that we decided to form a new club. We could not accept dictatorship from a President that overrules everything and runs the club as he sees fit. Elections were to be every five years and a new President of the club could only be put in place if George was stepping down. He approved of it. Many of the members stayed quiet and just mumbled under their breath – too scared to face George, but not Oskar. He always spoke up. He was classified as a troublemaker. Oskar also was starting to fly some very good times. George’s top old bird times were being threatened by this young upstart named of Oskar Zovich. So they had to get him out. Kemo and myself were allowed to remain with the CNTA, because we were not considered troublemakers. We were also not a threat to George and his times, only Oskar. I guess, when somebody is going to beat you, you get rid of the threat. But of course as we all know, you can’t keep a good man down.