Objection to RFP Selection Process for Martin County Airport

Submitted to Russ Blackburn, County Administrator

2 June 2003

Mr. Russ Blackburn
County Administrator
Martin County Administration
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997

Dear Mr. Blackburn,

This is to register a second objection to consideration of the MEA Group as an airport planning contractor for Martin County. 

The FAR Part 150 Study included a proposed departure track study. 
The MEA Group (MEA), failed to properly manage the group of residents used to assist in that study. Statements by the residents used for the study were provided to your office on or about January 30, 2003, and remain as a record of MEA Group performance.

Now, the same MEA Group is the contractor for Treasure Coast Regional Airport Noise and Flight Training Assessment Working Group (WG).  MEA set up the May 22, 2003 organizational meeting. It was noteworthy for poor planning. WAAM representatives at the meeting, the Palm Beach Post and the Stuart News documented MEA failures.

The Working Group (WG) organizational meeting was not “reasonably” noticed and certainly the general public was not informed or invited.
When WAAM learned of the meeting we spoke with the Martin County Deputy County Administrator who then made a press release to comply with the Florida Sunshine Laws.

MEA’s organization of the WG of 16 people did not include members of the negatively impacted citizens, but did include flight school representatives. This is like setting the fox to mind the henhouse. Decisions will be made by this committee that will affect thousands of currently unprotected citizens for years to come. They deserve to have a voice in these life-altering decisions.

In response to WAAM’s complaint, the MEA representative said, "Quite literally, there are many more groups that would like to be involved. We'd have a group of 50 or 60 members if we tried to include all of them."

The operative phrase, in this instance, is “negatively impacted citizens”. Additional pro-aviation groups need not apply.  The composition of the WG is already heavily weighted to favor their interests.

While paying lip-service to the public, MEA has a documented history of limiting citizen input in advisory groups and decision making. This was reported to the County with regard to the Martin County Airport departure study.  This apparent disregard for  the concerns of the people affected by increasing aircraft noise and pollution shows a pro-aviation bias that does not inspire confidence.

We conclude that the MEA Group is not an appropriate consideration for future Martin County contracts because of a history of questionable performance.

Sincerely,
/s/
Lynne Pine, President WAAM
for the Board of Directors

cc:
M. Moon
Dan Hudson