EDITOR:
Enough. Stop all the bickering and take charge of our airport. Vote yes on Question 1 and put control of the airport's future back into the hands of the citizens. We have been operating without an enforceable airport ordinance for years. It is time to get this situation straightened out.
And besides, we are about to have to find $1 million a year out of the County budget if we do not pass this measure. I know...everyone is sick and tired of hearing all this back and forth about weight studies, the government's versus some unaccredited person's interpretation, and all the other noise. This is all ridiculous. The bottom line is that if we don't put in a nondiscriminatory ordinance we lose $1 million a year of tax money that we have already paid. And, we will not receive the much needed $6 million of our money that the FAA is sitting on. Just think what that will do for jobs in the Valley...construction jobs!
This ordinance limits overweight jet operations, keeps our airport free of commercial airlines and it will encourage the growth of general aviation and soaring. In addition, it keeps our airport available for firefighting aircraft, medevac helicopters and other emergency operations. At some point there is likely to be a fire near your house or the need to take someone you know to the hospital via a helicopter. These are not services that we want to risk not having here.
The decision should be quite simple. Ask yourself why passage of this ordinance is supported by the likes of: SoaringNV (Carson Valley's premier soaring business), Minden Soaring Club, High Country Soaring (isn't this supposed to be against gliders?), Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI, a citizens group concerned with residential growth issues), the Carson Valley Vanguard Coalition (CVVC, a non-aviation citizens group concerned with airport issues), the Minden Airport Association (MAA, an organization of small aircraft owners and operators), Tahoe-Douglas Visitor Authority, Airport Business Owners, South County Association and, as near as I can figure, all but one of the businesses in the Valley. Then ask yourself why it is opposed by a handful of the same noisy objectors who specialize in befuddling this issue and others. Lastly, blocking funds to our airport will not stop all development in the Valley or the advancement of western civilization. This is not in any sense about growth control. It is a quality of life issue and saving the rural character of our little airport.
I believe that the voters of Carson Valley are intelligent enough to see the clear choice in this matter. Vote yes on Question 1, save millions and keep our airport for sports aviation and emergency services.
Terry Lalonde
Gardnerville
