Magazine Publisher Still
Fighting Sun 'n Fun Ban 

Wednesday, April 14, 1999

By RICK ROUSOS
The Ledger 

LAKELAND -- The publisher of US Aviator magazine
said Tuesday that he was barred from Sun 'n Fun
because he has bitten the hands that feed the Fly-In.

Jim Campbell of Winter Haven describes himself as
"Swiss cheese" after losing a battle in federal court last
week to be allowed to attend the Fly-In. But he said if
he loses his fight against Sun 'n Fun, it won't be for the
lack of trying.

He said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon
that he's trying to come up with about $10,000 to
appeal the decision to bar him. U.S. District Judge
Richard Lazzara ruled that Sun 'n Fun, as a private
organization, has the right to bar anyone it wants.

Campbell appeared before the Polk County
Commission on Tuesday morning, armed with a
document showing the county Tourist Development
Council spent $40,500 to subsidize the Fly-In.

The point, he said, was that Sun 'n Fun's contention that
it doesn't receive public money isn't true. He contends
that the public subsidy takes away Sun 'n Fun's private
distinction -- and the right to bar him.

But county commissioners agreed they had no
jurisdiction in the dispute between Campbell and Sun 'n
Fun.

He met later with news reporters at the Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport Terminal, off Sun 'n Fun grounds.

Campbell said he has written several articles about
manufacturers of helicopters and small planes who sell
what he contends are dangerous products at Sun 'n
Fun. He said he also has written articles about
companies that don't deliver what customers pay for.

"He's the only one who tells the truth" and tries to help
people, said George Conn of Eustis, who is owed
$8,000 by a company and has a court judgment to
prove it.

"The others are just trying to sell magazines."

Conn appeared with a handful of others who said
Campbell has helped them in disputes with aviation
companies.

Bonnie Higbie, the spokeswoman for Sun 'n Fun, said
Billy Henderson, the executive director, and William
Eichhoff, the president, both were busy with Sun 'n Fun
and would not comment about Campbell.

"They didn't attend the press conference, so they aren't
going to respond," Higbie said.

Last week, Sun 'n Fun officials said Campbell was
banned because his behavior was disruptive, not
because of what he writes.

Campbell said his dismissal makes him more concerned
about safety issues at the Fly-In than a breach of his
First Amendment rights, but said if Sun 'n Fun can ban
him, it can ban any reporter.

"I'm a recognized journalist," Campbell said. "And I
think it stinks. I'm not banned from anywhere else." 


Ledger reporter Billy Townsend contributed to this
report.