Sun, Sep 28, 2003
AOPA is involved in hands-on fights
at two Florida airports being threatened with closure. AOPA Vice
President of Airports Bill Dunn met with airport supporters and
city officials in St. Petersburg to discuss Albert Witted Field
(SPG), while AOPA Regional Representative Nelson Rhodes helped
airport advocates in Stuart plot strategy to support Witham Field
(SUA).
"These airports are a vital part of a national transportation
system and must remain open and available without unnecessary
restrictions," said Dunn. "In each case, anti-airport activists
have cajoled local officials into at least considering the
airports' closure. The best defense is always a good offense, so
we've been working with airport supporters to help explain the
benefits of a GA airport to the community and dispel the
misinformation being given to the public at large."
After more than 20 years of relative quiet, St. Petersburg's
Albert Witted Field is under attack from anti-airport forces that
have gotten a referendum onto this November's ballot, calling for
the airport to be turned into a park by 2011.
The airport has not one, but two
vocal support groups. Dunn met with leaders of each to discuss a
grass-roots strategy to spread the word about the value of the
airport. He also met with two city council members who are
pro-airport, and with Mayor Rick Baker. On the record, Baker is
impartial but is reported to be in favor of converting to a park or
downsizing the airport to a single runway. Dunn told Baker that SPG
carries FAA grant obligations until 2021, and that the FAA says it
will take action to prevent the city from violating grant
obligation and will not agree to the airport's closing prior to
2021. Dunn told the mayor that passage of the park initiative would
essentially place the city into violation of federal rules and
likely would lead to costly and drawn-out litigation against the
city.
In Stuart, Martin County commissioners have bowed to pressure
from local anti-airport activists and commissioned a study of three
options for SUA — downsizing, relocation, or closure. Rhodes,
AOPA's regional representative, has met with local pilots, AOPA
Airport Support Network volunteer William Stewart, and airport
businesses to plan strategy. And AOPA has written to the
commissioners, saying that closure or access restrictions not
consistent with FAA regulations would violate FAA grant
obligations.
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