A few weeks ago I received a certified letter from Sue Palmeri, Operations Manager at the Martin County Airport:

"Dear Mrs. Pine,
It has come to my attention that several pilots have made complaints concerning the flagpoles you have erected on your property directly in the flight path for runway 12.  They are concerned that the flags are too high and are a hazard to air navigation."

The letter goes on to say that, if we'd like, the FAA would "determine if the flagpoles are too high."  In response, I called Ms. Palmeri and said that two years ago when the flags were raised Mr. Moon advised us that the flags were at a legal height. The flags continue to fly at the same height and we remain confident that our American flags, flying at less than 60 feet, could not possibly be "a hazard to air navigation".  I suggested that these (still anonymous) pilots, or the airport, might want to pursue the matter themselves.

If our flags really are a problem at less than 60 feet, it will also have to be acknowledged that these aircraft are flying dangerously low over homes in the approach path, and are a hazard to human beings and the environment alike.

Remember, our neighborhood has been here for 30 years.  Most of those years the airport was a good neighbor. This latest development is a direct result of the extension of Runway 12/30 in 1998; bringing the runway closer to our homes, cutting down all the trees, no notice given to the homeowners, no environmental assessment done ~ and we have had jets, jets, jets ~ ever since!  Lower, louder, and more of them every day.

Our flags are flown with pride. They serve as a reminder that American citizens still live here; now put in harm's way by an uncaring government agency.  Bring on the FAA!  They'll only tell us what we already know from previous encounters with them ~ we the people don't count, airports and airplanes do! Between the jets screaming overhead, and the jet fumes seeping around us, we're living in an increasingly dangerous environment. Who will stand up for us?  We need bold leadership from our County Commissioners. On this issue and others, Martin County's future is ultimately in the hands of the voters.

                                                                                                                             L. Pine