Chicago Can't Seem To Make Up Its Mind
What does Chicago and
its mayor's administration say when you complain -- as AOPA and
Friends of Meigs have asked -- about the wanton destruction of
Meigs Field? Bill Leavens of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition
found out. Rather than comment on the exchange, we'll just publish
it and let you decide.
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
121 N. LaSalle, Room 507
Chicago, IL 60602
Sir:
Like the vast majority of the nation's 600,000 general aviation
pilots I am disgusted by the cowardice and arrogance you have
exhibited in destroying Meigs Airport.
In the name of "security" you have committed an act of abject
vandalism against a publicly funded transportation facility that
has ably served the good citizens of Chicago for half a
century. Additionally, your wanton destruction denies ready
access to Chicago by tens of thousands of visitors who were able to
enjoy the city and profit from that airport.
I sincerely hope that the Federal Government employs the same
heavy handed tactics and condemns the airport property out of your
dominion. You do not deserve to manage a transportation
resource that has generated millions of dollars of economic
activity to the benefit of your subjects.
cc: Hon. Marion Blakey, Administrator, FAA
Leavens received this reply (click on image to enlarge
letter):
Which prompted Leavens to fire this letter back to
Chicago:
Mr. Cortez Trotter, Executive Director
Office of Emergency Management and Communications
1411 West Madison St.
Chicago, Ill. 60607
July 7, 2003
Dear Mr. Trotter:
I am in receipt of your response to my correspondence concerning
Meigs Airport dated June 23 which arrived yesterday. It
leaves me incredulous.
It if difficult to understand your response in light of your
Mayor's public admission that the airport closure had nothing to do
with security, but everything to do with his personal desire to
create yet another park. As nice as they are, parks don't
generate much in the way of economic activity. Downtown
airports most certainly do. Economic activity is a good thing
- part of any Mayor's mission would normally be to ensure that the
wheels and wings of commerce have the facilities to function
properly and to connect Chicago with the world.
You express concern that Meigs was only used by a "select
few." Those "few" included individuals who needed emergency
air ambulance services as well as the 6,000 (six thousand) Chicago
area youngsters that were treated to their first aviation
experience courtesy of the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter. You
may know that the Airmen are African American pilots who flew in
combat, escorting bombers over Germany during World War II.
Among their achievements is the fact that they did not lose one
plane to enemy aircraft.
Meigs Field was the air ambulance destination for three Chicago
Hospitals. By closing the airport, your Mayor places lives at
risk. As Executive Director of Emergency Management for the
city, would it not be good public policy to have a facility within
walking distance of down town that can receive emergency
services? Perhaps I misunderstand your title and role.
Meigs Field was an important airport used by Chicago business
people. Business travelers must now use Midway or O'Hare
airports. Forcing smaller general aviation aircraft to crowd
into the region's commercial air carrier airports is not safe or
practical public policy.
The closing of Meigs is not in the interest of all Chicagoans.
This is underscored by public polls which have expressed opposition
to the unilateral action taken by your Mayor. The closing of Meigs
Field was a result of a personal desire by the Mayor to do
something that the law and public will would not permit him to do
in the harsh light of day.
If I am one of the "select few" that the Mayor chooses to
exclude, the 600,000 licensed pilots in the US will be happy to
take our business elsewhere. I know that I certainly won't be
back.
Yours truly,
cc: Chicago Sun Times
Mayor Richard M. Daley
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