Marlboro Airport Forced To Sue Feds For Compensation

If you've ever thought it would be neat to have the President of the US visit your city, you might also want to ponder the financial downside. The management of the Marlboro Airport in Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit against the federal government after it says President Obama's entourage caused $676,048 in damage to airport property on April 1, 2010, and is refusing to pay for it.

According to a report in the Boston Business Journal, Marlborough Airport Properties Inc., which runs the airport, was promised that Marine One, the US Presidential helicopter, would do no damage to the property when Obama landed there to tour an emergency bunker in the state. And, it did not. But the airport says the US Secret Service also showed up with ground vehicles, including a 44,000-lb. foam truck, which damaged the property, including grassy areas.

Attorney Evans Carter, who is representing the airport, says the feds have refused to provide compensation, claiming "we haven't shown or proven any negligence." He's seeking a jury trial in the matter.

Physical damage to airport property isn't the only downside to Presidential visits. The TFRs which follow a US President wherever he goes undoubtably do much more economic damage to some areas than any ruts in the tarmac. Let's hope President Obama doesn't pick the last week in July to pay a short-notice visit to the Oshkosh Corporation truck factory adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport.

FMI: Obama Visit Lawsuit