On Sunday November 9th, the Stuart News
wrote an article
that was highly critical of WAAM
WAAM's has responded to that article and asked the Stuart News publish our response in it's entirety.
Response to Stuart News Editorial
Lynne Pine, President
Witham Airport Action Majority
November 11, 2003
The Stuart News Editorial on Sunday, November 9, was an
obvious attempt to promote airport growth. Unfortunately, it used inaccurate and
misleading rhetoric. After years of having little or no verifiable information,
the community now has the Airport Exploratory Study (AES) in hand. The AES
should have put such rhetoric to rest. Editorializing? To be expected. But
a blatant disregard for accuracy, is not.
Readers deserve responsible journalism.
From the
Editorial
Wrong
- “the county would be unable to gain control of the airport for 28 years”
Fact – the
County can de-federalize (stop taking grants) immediately. Peter Kirsch, the leading aviation
attorney in the United States, has stated, “the grant obligations are for the
useful life of the improvements or 20 years, not 28 years.” Airport leases
allow for downsizing and can be bought out.
Misleading
- “County taxpayers would have to pick up an ever-increasing share of the cost
of operating the field”
Fact – The Stuart News continues to ignore
the fact that airport property is not on the tax rolls and therefore pays no
taxes. Profits on the airport must stay on the airport for the benefit of the
airport only. So we lose a huge ad valorem tax base and all profits realized
from airport leases are also lost. This would change when the airport is
de-federalized.
The money generated from what is now untaxable airport property will, if downsized, go into the tax rolls. Revenue generated from additional County leases will offset the Federal and State grants that the airport currently receives. A downsized airport would be self-sustaining and use of excess airport property would benefit the entire community.
Wrong
- “Some of the proposals may violate FAA Restrictions”
Fact – FAA restrictions will not be
violated. Grant assurances will be violated, which is quite different. The
penalty? No more grants. Affect on the community? The Jetport stops
growing.
Misleading
– “[WAAM] might start by supporting the county’s soundproofing
of homes near the airfield and buying the most vulnerable ones outright.”
Fact - WAAM supports offering the home
buyout option, as quickly as possible, to those homeowners most severely
affected who want to participate in the buyout program. The sole reason
for the delay in implementing this program is because the recommendations of the
Part 150 Study are under review for approval by the FAA, due January 2004.
Once approved by the FAA, the question of funding must still be considered.
We are told that, due to the cost of implementing Homeland Security measures,
Federal funding is not readily available at this time.
Why haven’t we heard more about the proposed insulation program? Perhaps the airport growth advocates don’t want us to know the real cost. The cost to insulate will be enormous, initially at least $12.5 million, and millions more as the program progresses. Other factors to consider include:
1.
Insulating homes does nothing to solve the air pollution problem
2. We didn’t come to Florida to live
sealed up in our homes, unable to enjoy the beautiful climate.
3. Many homes outside the insulation area
will continue to be assaulted by the continued increase of noise and air
pollution from jets flying overhead.
4. The buyout and insulation programs force
the existing community to conform to the airport, not the other way around.
Continued expansion of airport operations increases the possibility of more
buyout and insulation programs to encompass a growing number of homes.
Once a year the community puts aside its objections and joins in the celebration
of aviation at the Stuart Air Show. We do so because the Air Show supports a
good cause, and the entertainment is something the entire community can enjoy.
But, the Air Show is only 2 days each year - quite different from the constant
assault of jets overhead 24/7.
Home to local pilots
and aviation enthusiasts, for more than fifty years historic Witham Field was a
welcome neighbor to all. The lust for high dollars brought in by jet
traffic should not be allowed to drive out these friendly aviators, and yet it
is happening today.
Our cause is not
against aviation; it is about airport expansion that now encroaches on long
established neighborhoods. Many in our community are bombarded by the noise and
air pollution of a growing jetport, and even more will suffer as the airport
continues to expand operations. When will it stop? Only when the county
takes control back from the FAA and downsizes the airport. Anything less will
lead our community down the road to disaster.
The results of the Airport Exploratory Study (AES) have removed relocation or closure from realistic consideration. The proposed downsizing options in the AES are not the “posturing” and “impossible demands” of WAAM. They are being offered by Peter Kirsch, nationally respected aviation attorney and long time consultant to the County Commission, and are “ensuring progress toward compromise” contrary to the rhetoric of the Stuart News.
Downsizing is a compromise measure; a balance which must be struck between financial interests and quality of life in the surrounding communities. Doing nothing is not an acceptable alternative. Doing nothing is, in fact making a choice – the choice to continue expanding a jetport in the heart of Stuart and Martin County. Funding the airport through the grant process is still taxpayer funding, it’s just coming out of a different pocket.
Again from Peter Kirsch: Mr. Kirsch told an audience at a meeting of the American Association of Airport Executives that “if community airports accept FAA funds, they've made a bargain with the devil: the FAA will open airports virtually to any aircraft regardless of noise impact or weight, day or night.”
On December 2, the Martin County Commission will undertake
the task of deciding which of the 10 downsizing options presented in the Airport
Exploratory Study should be implemented first. Our Commissioners’ decisions on
this complex issue will have far-reaching consequences for generations to come.
We all love and cherish the unique nature that surrounds us.
WAAM and its growing membership of thousands remain committed to preserving our
quality of life in Martin County.