Posted by
ricaler on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 8:57:32 PM
Salem, In. Sept 04, 07 Town Crier comment, "I'd like to know if there has ever been a survey taken concerning the new airport. If not, that's what needs to be done to find out how many taxpayers, retired people and people on disability, how many of them would like to pay for an airport out of their meager earnings. We need a count of all the people, not just the airplane owners. That's my opinion."
... And a clouded and confused one it is too, First of all, the planning process for any new public project is well defined by the legislature of Indiana and must follow that to the letter or be denied...and a survey is not an item on the process. That being said, when the plans mature to a final stage, their must be a public hearing where you will be allowed to comment. That comment will become an official part of the final review. So save your meager comment or talk with someone in a position to change it; that would be any member of the Salem Air Board. They are the duly appointed commissioners and have the final authority. If you're questions are sincere and you are honest of heart, your query will undoubtedly be answered, but if your intent is to be quarrelsome, expect a rebuke. Next, show me anywhere on your property tax statement, your state or federal tax returns any line item to support the airport. It isn't there, my dear sludge stirrer. Your taxes are set by local, state, and federal legislation and that is what you must pay. Oh, and let's not forget to play the us vs. them card by blaming the project on the local pilots. The pilots don't need another airport, most of then can operate safely with what is available, but the airport project is about economic development. Business owners of large operations won't live here. They have operations scattered about and want to fly in, inspect the property and get out within a couple hours...and they can't do that in Salem. However, there are plenty of small cities who have a larger airport available and they are the ones who will be in the running for a new business or an expansion. Just how hard is this to understand? These "Whine Line" types complain about the number of houses for sale, the fact that we lost a Pamida, and that we must travel out of the county to reach a Big Box type store, but noooo!, we can't promote the infrastructure project to support growth. It comes down to this, you are either for investment to support economic growth or you're for stagnation and deterioration. Unfortunately, too many fear change and are for the latter.