Mon, Aug 18, 2003
Virginia Residents Debate Merits Of GA Airport
The Stafford (VA)
regional airport is supposed to be a hotwire for the local economy
near Fredericksburg (VA). But in the midst of the ongoing aviation
slump, critics say it's become a white elephant. Now, the airport
is struggling simply to pay its bills.
"We're trying to pay our bills and keep our head above water
until we get the infrastructure," said Roger Murphy, who previously
served as airport authority chairman. He blames Stafford's money
problems on local politicians. He says squabbling between members
of the airport authority and Stafford County commissioners has
delayed installation of a $191,000 water main to enable the
construction of FBO space and a fuel stand. Now the water line is
built, but the airport continues to struggle, with just one paying
corporate tenant.
The Fredericksburg Freelance-Journal reports the guy
who cuts the grass at Stafford has to bring his own tractor.
Taxpayers from surrounding areas shell out about $100,000 a year to
keep the airport even marginally afloat. But one airport board
member, pilot Thurman Campbell, says the facility's financial woes
can be traced back to the County's decision to set the personal
property tax rate on aircraft at 60-cents per $100. "Frankly, I
don't know any poor people who own airplanes," he said. "This is
the most frustrating thing I've ever been involved with in my
life."
One example: It costs the airport authority $850 a
month to rent the terminal building. There's one tenant in that
building. The authority charges that tenant $750 a month in rent.
"We're losing money, guy," Campbell told a reporter. "This isn't
rocket science."
In spite of the cash crunch, it doesn't look like the Stafford
County Board of Supervisors is willing to lay out another thin dime
to get Stafford back on track. "I'm not voting to give them
anything," said Supervisor Gary Snellings. He thinks the authority
has responded poorly to complaints from residents who live near the
airport.
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