Think your safety and the safety of your children are not at stake?
Think again!
(see links to pictures below)
I took pictures at the YMCA fields this morning (2/2/2002). There were dozens of children and their parents participating in sporting activities. A number of aircraft came dangerously close to them while on approach to land at Witham Airport. Some aircraft were deviating off course and a large percentage of landing aircraft were right over the fields where these children were playing. I spoke to one parent and asked why parents were not upset with this potentially disastrous situation. He said "that most parents are not aware of the danger and probably felt that if the FAA allowed it, it must be safe". It is not safe for an aircraft to be 60 - 150 feet on top of a field of children.
These same aircraft are also flying at tree top level over many homes, both
when on final approach and departing. This has created an intolerable situation
of constant noise and pollution. It is shocking that this is allowed to continue.
We ask that residents of Martin County and parents everywhere get involved and
put a stop to this before something disastrous happens.
We hear over and over from the aviation community that "safety is the
most important issue at Witham - safety should never be compromised"
Well,
Take a look at these pictures and see for yourself and then decide - is it safe?
- is it fair to the people who are constantly being hammered day and night by
this cancer growing in our community? Isn't it about time to demand that
something be done?
After someone is injured or killed will be too late. (Dave Shore)
Picture Pages
If you have a slow internet connection (dial-up) click here
If you have a fast internet connection (ADSL or Cable modem) click here
What can you do? - Call, Write E-mail or Fax
Demand that the airport strictly enforce Federal Air
Regulations and insist that any pilot who operates his aircraft
in an unsafe
manner, be formally reported to the FAA.
(you must get the tail number to report a violation - ie; N123456 - the
number on the body of the aircraft)
Airport Director Witham Field
Michael Moon
Airport Director
1871 SE Airport Rd.
Stuart, Florida 34996
(772) 221-1458
email: mmoon@martin.fl.us
The YMCA Board of Directors
1700 SE Monterey Rd
Stuart, Florida 34996
(772) 286-4444
Federal Aviation Agency (FAA)
email: 9-AWA-TELLFAA@faa.gov
Telephone: (800) 322-7873
FAA Orlando Office
(407) 812-6331
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Michael Di Terlizzi
Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 221-1357
email: mditerli@martin.fl.us
Sarah Heard
Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 221-2358
email: sheard@martin.fl.us
Doug Smith
Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 221-2359
email: dsmith@martin.fl.us
Susan Valliere
Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 221-2358
email: svallier@martin.fl.us
Lee Weberman
Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Rd.
Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 221-2357
email: leew@martin.fl.us
Stuart News
(to write a letter to the editor)
Editor
The News
P.O. Box 9009
Stuart, FL 34995-9009
(772) 221-4246 (fax)
email: editorial@scripps.com
(subject: letters)
Palm Beach Post
(to write a letter to the editor)
The Palm Beach Post
Martin County Bureau
2101 S. Kanner Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 287-0241 (fax)
email: editorial@pbpost.com