Skydivers air complaints on Quincy

QUINCY, Ill. -- Organizers of an annual skydiving convention that has brought conflict between participants and Quincy officials are suing the city, claiming overzealous police harmed their business and the city owes them money for airport improvements.

World Free Fall Convention President Don Kirlin's lawsuit claims the city owes his group more than $300,000. It says the city owes more than $250,000 in reimbursement for capital improvements the WFFC made to Quincy Regional Airport as part of 1996 and 2001 lease agreements. It also seeks about $50,000 for business lost during the 2001 convention because of "excessive and unreasonable policing."

Mayor Chuck Scholz said Friday the city will seek to dismiss the lawsuit and will countersue the WFFC for $45,265.20 the city contends it is owed for police and fire protection and other services.

"The Free Fall Convention suit is frivolous and totally without merit, and amounts to an obvious publicity ploy to deflect attention from their failure to live up to the terms and conditions of their agreement with the city," he said.

Kirlin's attorney, Dave Herman of Springfield, said the city has not been "amicable" about resolving differences.

"That's why we were forced to take the legal action," Herman said.

12 years in town

The August convention has been held in Quincy for 12 years, but Kirlin has threatened to move it elsewhere next year because participants were upset about what they called an excessive police presence this year.

Both Quincy police and WFFC security beefed up patrols this year after allegations of public disturbances during a late-night party, public nudity and underage drinking at the 2000 convention. The city contends those actions put the WFFC in default of a five-year lease agreement it signed in 1996.

A new agreement was reached earlier this year. It included provisions for additional security by Quincy police, who arrested 18 people last year.

The lease states the WFFC will "surrender the premises to the city, including all buildings, fixtures and improvements thereon, where added to or constructed by the promoter," if the event voluntarily leaves Quincy.

Kirlin contends the city is trying to drive him out and therefore should reimburse him for those improvements.

He has not announced a city willing to host the event in 2002.

"Mr. Kirlin has gone to great lengths to accommodate the city's desires," Herman said. "He's felt an overwhelming loyalty to Quincy."