Please help -- It's down to the wire

[Jay Honeck]

Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
help -- NOW.

Our City Council will be deciding THIS WEEK whether or not to put the
dissolution of our independent airport commission on the ballot this fall.
If this goes to the ballot, the damage done to our airport may be
irreversible.

The Issue
************************************************** ******
Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew that
one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
developers.

They knew that no future city council, during some future budget crunch,
would be able to resist a wealthy land developer's offer to buy that land.
Thus, they entrusted management of the airport to a band of volunteer,
unpaid commissioners, who were given the sole mission of running and
protecting the airport well and properly.

Our current city council, for a myriad of reasons, has decided that the
commission has outgrown its usefulness. Budgetary problems (the city's
annual subsidy has grown from $40K to $180K in the past decade), management
issues (previous commissions did not keep a tight lid on paperwork),
communication issues (the city manager doesn't get along with the airport
manager and some previous commissioners), and our newspaper's rabid
anti-airport slant have all conspired to make the airport a BIG issue in the
city government.

The Reasons Why We Oppose This Change in Governance
************************************************** ******
Now, of course, we all know it's not the money. Ankeny, Iowa, with it's
slightly smaller airport, happily spends over $300K per year subsidizing
their airport. Our $180K subsidy would not buy a single city bus, nor would
it fund our city manager's salary for even one year.

To put this in perspective, $180K is LESS than Iowa City spent last year on
"cemetery beautification" in fiscal 2003.

Further, our airport brings something over $5 million per year into the
local economy -- not a bad return on a $180K investment!

And we all know it's not an issue with the management of the airport. Our
airport remains the best G.A.airport in the Midwest, and everything is
running smoothly.

And it can no longer be a personal struggle between commissioners and the
city manager -- all of the current airport commissioners have come on board
in the last six months. The entire previous commission resigned, some for
personal reasons, others in frustration. And this new crop of
commissioners are the best I've ever seen, with representatives from every
walk of life -- including a couple of heavy hitters from the biggest show in
town, the University of Iowa.

So what is it? A power struggle, plain and simple. If the City Manager can
convince the City Council to go down this path (and he, as full-time city
manager, is the guy who truly controls our part-time Mayor and councilors),
he will have achieved control of the one area of city government that he
could not directly control.

And, if you follow the money, this change will set the city up to be in a
position to close and sell the airport land down the road. If I were a
betting man, I'd wager that there are already wealthy land developers
steering this debate, behind the scenes.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.
************************************************** ******
City Councilors aren't schooled in airport management, or the needs of the
pilot community -- they are being led down this path by a City Manager who
has convinced them that this referendum is for the "good of the city and the
airport." It is our job to show them the error of this logic, and the only
way to do this is with letters, emails and phone calls!

PLEASE don't wait, as time is extremely short. Send your emails opposing a
referendum for the dissolution of our independent airport commission to
. (These letters become part of the public record,
viewable by all, so please keep them clean, brief, and professional.
Please don't just forward this post to them, as the "delete" key is simply
too easy to use. We need many voices!)

The best approach is to keep it simple. Mention the reasons for the
commission's existence. Mention the money saved by having a volunteer
commission running the show, versus a paid staff of city employees. Perhaps
even mention the wealthy land developers who are salivating over the thought
of developing this land. (Iowa City is a very left-wing, liberal town.
Calling someone around here a "wealthy land developer" is tantamount to
calling them a cockroach...)

If you have the time, a phone call is even more effective. Here are the
phone numbers of the "swing voting" councilors:

Reginia Bailey 319-351-2068
Dee Vanderhoef 319-351-6872
Bob Elliott 319-351-4056
Connie Champion 319-337-6608

(I have omitted the city councilors who are already vocally supporting the
referendum.)

All we need is FOUR councilors on our side (and we think we've already got
2) to make this issue go away -- for now.

Thanks in advance.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Rich S.]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:EedHc.12245$WX.1073@attbi_s51...
> Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
> help -- NOW.
(snip)

Jay..............

Would a visit by Guido to the City Manager help?

Rich "Not the horsehead, again!" S.

[Jay Masino]

In rec.aviation.owning Jay Honeck > wrote:
> Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
> help -- NOW.
> Our City Council will be deciding THIS WEEK whether or not to put the
> dissolution of our independent airport commission on the ballot this fall.
> If this goes to the ballot, the damage done to our airport may be
> irreversible.

In my experience, City (or County) Council members don't care about the
opinions of anyone other than the voters in their district. I've been
fighting for 17 years against the closure, or other threats, to several
different airports (College Park, MD, Freeway Airport, MD, Ocean City, MD)
and I've written a lot of letters. They usually fall on deaf ears unless
you vote in their district. Right now, we're in a similar battle in Ocean
City, and we don't even have an airport commision. We're screwed
constantly because we have to deal with the City Council, directly. I
don't blame you for trying to avoid that. Nevertheless, the Ocean City
Council barely listens to my letters, etc, at all, because, although I own
property in the city, I don't vote there (it's not my "primary"
residence). I suspect you're gonna have the same problem with all of us
writing letters/e-mails. The Iowa City Council isn't gonna give a crap
about letters from other areas of the country.

--- Jay




--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.oceancityairport.com
http://www.oc-adolfos.com

[gatt]

> ************************************************** ******
> Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew
that
> one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
> development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> developers.

This is not unfounded. IIRC, NWPILOT's home base has the same history and
is threatened by the same fate. They actually have red lights on the roofs
of the apartment complexes across the street from the airport.

Unfortunately, I don't live in Iowa (or Washington state) so my voice
probably isn't worth anything. But if somebody needs a good general purpose
cussing out, why...

-c

[SeeAndAvoid]

Jay,
I sent you a long private email about this subject and
strategies to deal with it, most have worked for me
out here in the shadow of the Peoples Republic of
Boulder, of which our airport resides in the county
of.

I'd add to that..to help in your airports survival, which
is what we're talking about here, is maybe to offer
a money saving alternative to getting rid of the airport
commission and instead combine it with the Airport Zoning
Board of Adjustment and the Airport Zoning Commission.
Get 7 members, plus 1 councilman to sit in on meetings,
plus 1 city staff employee. These 6 year terms are too
much, make it like 2 years with no term limit. That way
you aren't stuck with garbage, or if someone does a good
job they can be retained. Having 3 airport related
commissions is a little much, and I'm betting the city
is using that excuse to get rid of the airport commission.
If you add that councilman and staff member, they feel
more involved, although they probably wont show
up most of the time anyway, and if they do they don't
do or say much anyway (that's our situation here).

Get people out in force to council meetings, write into
the Opinion section of the paper, or even better, a guest
editorial. Get on a first name basis with council and
staff members.

I'd also add when anybody writes into the council members,
dont make it look like a mass emailing to all at once, do
each one individually or use BCC to the members with the
Mayor as the main recipient. Also, casually mention a copy
is going to the local paper.

Let me know if I can be of any help, Chris

[Bruce A. Frank]

Jay,

Have you asked for help from the AOPA?

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
> help -- NOW.
>
> Our City Council will be deciding THIS WEEK whether or not to put the
> dissolution of our independent airport commission on the ballot this fall.
> If this goes to the ballot, the damage done to our airport may be
> irreversible.
>
> The Issue
> ************************************************** ******
> Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew that
> one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
> development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> developers.
>
> They knew that no future city council, during some future budget crunch,
> would be able to resist a wealthy land developer's offer to buy that land.
> Thus, they entrusted management of the airport to a band of volunteer,
> unpaid commissioners, who were given the sole mission of running and
> protecting the airport well and properly.
>
> Our current city council, for a myriad of reasons, has decided that the
> commission has outgrown its usefulness. Budgetary problems (the city's
> annual subsidy has grown from $40K to $180K in the past decade), management
> issues (previous commissions did not keep a tight lid on paperwork),
> communication issues (the city manager doesn't get along with the airport
> manager and some previous commissioners), and our newspaper's rabid
> anti-airport slant have all conspired to make the airport a BIG issue in the
> city government.
>
> The Reasons Why We Oppose This Change in Governance
> ************************************************** ******
> Now, of course, we all know it's not the money. Ankeny, Iowa, with it's
> slightly smaller airport, happily spends over $300K per year subsidizing
> their airport. Our $180K subsidy would not buy a single city bus, nor would
> it fund our city manager's salary for even one year.
>
> To put this in perspective, $180K is LESS than Iowa City spent last year on
> "cemetery beautification" in fiscal 2003.
>
> Further, our airport brings something over $5 million per year into the
> local economy -- not a bad return on a $180K investment!
>
> And we all know it's not an issue with the management of the airport. Our
> airport remains the best G.A.airport in the Midwest, and everything is
> running smoothly.
>
> And it can no longer be a personal struggle between commissioners and the
> city manager -- all of the current airport commissioners have come on board
> in the last six months. The entire previous commission resigned, some for
> personal reasons, others in frustration. And this new crop of
> commissioners are the best I've ever seen, with representatives from every
> walk of life -- including a couple of heavy hitters from the biggest show in
> town, the University of Iowa.
>
> So what is it? A power struggle, plain and simple. If the City Manager can
> convince the City Council to go down this path (and he, as full-time city
> manager, is the guy who truly controls our part-time Mayor and councilors),
> he will have achieved control of the one area of city government that he
> could not directly control.
>
> And, if you follow the money, this change will set the city up to be in a
> position to close and sell the airport land down the road. If I were a
> betting man, I'd wager that there are already wealthy land developers
> steering this debate, behind the scenes.
>
> WE NEED YOUR HELP.
> ************************************************** ******
> City Councilors aren't schooled in airport management, or the needs of the
> pilot community -- they are being led down this path by a City Manager who
> has convinced them that this referendum is for the "good of the city and the
> airport." It is our job to show them the error of this logic, and the only
> way to do this is with letters, emails and phone calls!
>
> PLEASE don't wait, as time is extremely short. Send your emails opposing a
> referendum for the dissolution of our independent airport commission to
> . (These letters become part of the public record,
> viewable by all, so please keep them clean, brief, and professional.
> Please don't just forward this post to them, as the "delete" key is simply
> too easy to use. We need many voices!)
>
> The best approach is to keep it simple. Mention the reasons for the
> commission's existence. Mention the money saved by having a volunteer
> commission running the show, versus a paid staff of city employees. Perhaps
> even mention the wealthy land developers who are salivating over the thought
> of developing this land. (Iowa City is a very left-wing, liberal town.
> Calling someone around here a "wealthy land developer" is tantamount to
> calling them a cockroach...)
>
> If you have the time, a phone call is even more effective. Here are the
> phone numbers of the "swing voting" councilors:
>
> Reginia Bailey 319-351-2068
> Dee Vanderhoef 319-351-6872
> Bob Elliott 319-351-4056
> Connie Champion 319-337-6608
>
> (I have omitted the city councilors who are already vocally supporting the
> referendum.)
>
> All we need is FOUR councilors on our side (and we think we've already got
> 2) to make this issue go away -- for now.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

--
Bruce A. Frank, Editor "Ford 3.8/4.2L Engine and V-6 STOL
Homebuilt Aircraft Newsletter"
| Publishing interesting material|
| on all aspects of alternative |
| engines and homebuilt aircraft.|
*------------------------------**----*
\(-o-)/ AIRCRAFT PROJECTS CO.
\___/ Manufacturing parts & pieces
/ \ for homebuilt aircraft,
0 0 TIG welding

While trying to find the time to finish mine.

[Bruce A. Frank]

Jay,

Have you asked for help from the AOPA?

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
> help -- NOW.
>
> Our City Council will be deciding THIS WEEK whether or not to put the
> dissolution of our independent airport commission on the ballot this fall.
> If this goes to the ballot, the damage done to our airport may be
> irreversible.
>
> The Issue
> ************************************************** ******
> Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew that
> one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
> development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> developers.
>
> They knew that no future city council, during some future budget crunch,
> would be able to resist a wealthy land developer's offer to buy that land.
> Thus, they entrusted management of the airport to a band of volunteer,
> unpaid commissioners, who were given the sole mission of running and
> protecting the airport well and properly.
>
> Our current city council, for a myriad of reasons, has decided that the
> commission has outgrown its usefulness. Budgetary problems (the city's
> annual subsidy has grown from $40K to $180K in the past decade), management
> issues (previous commissions did not keep a tight lid on paperwork),
> communication issues (the city manager doesn't get along with the airport
> manager and some previous commissioners), and our newspaper's rabid
> anti-airport slant have all conspired to make the airport a BIG issue in the
> city government.
>
> The Reasons Why We Oppose This Change in Governance
> ************************************************** ******
> Now, of course, we all know it's not the money. Ankeny, Iowa, with it's
> slightly smaller airport, happily spends over $300K per year subsidizing
> their airport. Our $180K subsidy would not buy a single city bus, nor would
> it fund our city manager's salary for even one year.
>
> To put this in perspective, $180K is LESS than Iowa City spent last year on
> "cemetery beautification" in fiscal 2003.
>
> Further, our airport brings something over $5 million per year into the
> local economy -- not a bad return on a $180K investment!
>
> And we all know it's not an issue with the management of the airport. Our
> airport remains the best G.A.airport in the Midwest, and everything is
> running smoothly.
>
> And it can no longer be a personal struggle between commissioners and the
> city manager -- all of the current airport commissioners have come on board
> in the last six months. The entire previous commission resigned, some for
> personal reasons, others in frustration. And this new crop of
> commissioners are the best I've ever seen, with representatives from every
> walk of life -- including a couple of heavy hitters from the biggest show in
> town, the University of Iowa.
>
> So what is it? A power struggle, plain and simple. If the City Manager can
> convince the City Council to go down this path (and he, as full-time city
> manager, is the guy who truly controls our part-time Mayor and councilors),
> he will have achieved control of the one area of city government that he
> could not directly control.
>
> And, if you follow the money, this change will set the city up to be in a
> position to close and sell the airport land down the road. If I were a
> betting man, I'd wager that there are already wealthy land developers
> steering this debate, behind the scenes.
>
> WE NEED YOUR HELP.
> ************************************************** ******
> City Councilors aren't schooled in airport management, or the needs of the
> pilot community -- they are being led down this path by a City Manager who
> has convinced them that this referendum is for the "good of the city and the
> airport." It is our job to show them the error of this logic, and the only
> way to do this is with letters, emails and phone calls!
>
> PLEASE don't wait, as time is extremely short. Send your emails opposing a
> referendum for the dissolution of our independent airport commission to
> . (These letters become part of the public record,
> viewable by all, so please keep them clean, brief, and professional.
> Please don't just forward this post to them, as the "delete" key is simply
> too easy to use. We need many voices!)
>
> The best approach is to keep it simple. Mention the reasons for the
> commission's existence. Mention the money saved by having a volunteer
> commission running the show, versus a paid staff of city employees. Perhaps
> even mention the wealthy land developers who are salivating over the thought
> of developing this land. (Iowa City is a very left-wing, liberal town.
> Calling someone around here a "wealthy land developer" is tantamount to
> calling them a cockroach...)
>
> If you have the time, a phone call is even more effective. Here are the
> phone numbers of the "swing voting" councilors:
>
> Reginia Bailey 319-351-2068
> Dee Vanderhoef 319-351-6872
> Bob Elliott 319-351-4056
> Connie Champion 319-337-6608
>
> (I have omitted the city councilors who are already vocally supporting the
> referendum.)
>
> All we need is FOUR councilors on our side (and we think we've already got
> 2) to make this issue go away -- for now.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

--
Bruce A. Frank, Editor "Ford 3.8/4.2L Engine and V-6 STOL
Homebuilt Aircraft Newsletter"
| Publishing interesting material|
| on all aspects of alternative |
| engines and homebuilt aircraft.|
*------------------------------**----*
\(-o-)/ AIRCRAFT PROJECTS CO.
\___/ Manufacturing parts & pieces
/ \ for homebuilt aircraft,
0 0 TIG welding

While trying to find the time to finish mine.

[NW_PILOT]

Gatt, My homebase 59S is independently owned but is up for sale and the
housing developers are wanting the property. The area is highly over taxed.
If a developer wants some land around here they over build the surrounding
area to ware the city/county keeps raising the property taxes and then the
owner cannot afford the taxes and is forced to sell or lose the property to
the city/county. I hope everyone knows it is more advantages to the
city/county to have a housing project then a airport as they can have 300+
tax lots instead of 1. I wish more Americans would notice this trend of
city's and developers working together to take peoples land away from them
by over building and over taxation it is sad.

I also have an airport about 2 miles down the road it used to be called
clarkcounty, or sholls airport was closed for unknown reasons roumor has it
was closed due to county tax lien and when purchessed and shut down but is
still there used for tractor trailer parking the other roumor has it that
the FAA that built a large building at the south end of runway 25 purchassed
it for their own use then closed it.

Next time I am above it i will take a few current photos.

http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/WA/Airfields_WA_W.htm


"gatt" > wrote in message
...
>
> > ************************************************** ******
> > Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> > insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew
> that
> > one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded
by
> > development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> > developers.
>
> This is not unfounded. IIRC, NWPILOT's home base has the same history and
> is threatened by the same fate. They actually have red lights on the
roofs
> of the apartment complexes across the street from the airport.
>
> Unfortunately, I don't live in Iowa (or Washington state) so my voice
> probably isn't worth anything. But if somebody needs a good general
purpose
> cussing out, why...
>
> -c
>
>

[bryan chaisone]

How can I help if my emails and letters gonna fall on death ears? Is
there another way?

How about starting a non-profit group such as AOPA, EAA to save little
airports all over the US. I could give some time to that if someone
would start one. I don't have the resources to start something like
that, but I think that is exactly what these small airports need. A
"historical site"
preservation or something.

Bryan "The Monk" Chaisone

"gatt" > wrote in message >...
> > ************************************************** ******
> > Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> > insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew
> that
> > one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
> > development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> > developers.
>
> This is not unfounded. IIRC, NWPILOT's home base has the same history and
> is threatened by the same fate. They actually have red lights on the roofs
> of the apartment complexes across the street from the airport.
>
> Unfortunately, I don't live in Iowa (or Washington state) so my voice
> probably isn't worth anything. But if somebody needs a good general purpose
> cussing out, why...
>
> -c

[Rip]

Jay, you need to demand that an economic impact study be done on your
airport. The average GA airport is worth around $20 million per year in
jobs, taxes, and "incidental revenue" (that's you). I'm the local AOPA
rep for our airport, and when I mailed that kind of data to our mayor,
the hue and cry for increased airport fees suddenly went away (our
airport is the only one in Connecticut that actually made a profit last
year). The city had NO IDEA that the airport had a monetary value. You
can also harp on the fact the airport is open space, that development
increases traffic, crime, pollution, etc., etc. Get interviewed by your
local newspaper. Most folks don't know GA from a hole in the ground, but
most of the general public is pro-GA, if it's presented in terms they
can grasp (personal freedom, reduction of housing development, more open
spaces, etc.) The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you don't squeak,
kiss your airport good-bye.

Rip

Jay Honeck wrote:
> Sorry for the cross-posting, Guys and Gals, but I'm appealing for your
> help -- NOW.
>
> Our City Council will be deciding THIS WEEK whether or not to put the
> dissolution of our independent airport commission on the ballot this fall.
> If this goes to the ballot, the damage done to our airport may be
> irreversible.
>
> The Issue
> ************************************************** ******
> Our Airport Commission was set up after World War II specifically to
> insulate the airport from the winds of politics. Our grandfathers knew that
> one day our airport -- once so far from town -- would become surrounded by
> development, and that airport land would be almost irresistible to
> developers.
>
> They knew that no future city council, during some future budget crunch,
> would be able to resist a wealthy land developer's offer to buy that land.
> Thus, they entrusted management of the airport to a band of volunteer,
> unpaid commissioners, who were given the sole mission of running and
> protecting the airport well and properly.
>
> Our current city council, for a myriad of reasons, has decided that the
> commission has outgrown its usefulness. Budgetary problems (the city's
> annual subsidy has grown from $40K to $180K in the past decade), management
> issues (previous commissions did not keep a tight lid on paperwork),
> communication issues (the city manager doesn't get along with the airport
> manager and some previous commissioners), and our newspaper's rabid
> anti-airport slant have all conspired to make the airport a BIG issue in the
> city government.
>
> The Reasons Why We Oppose This Change in Governance
> ************************************************** ******
> Now, of course, we all know it's not the money. Ankeny, Iowa, with it's
> slightly smaller airport, happily spends over $300K per year subsidizing
> their airport. Our $180K subsidy would not buy a single city bus, nor would
> it fund our city manager's salary for even one year.
>
> To put this in perspective, $180K is LESS than Iowa City spent last year on
> "cemetery beautification" in fiscal 2003.
>
> Further, our airport brings something over $5 million per year into the
> local economy -- not a bad return on a $180K investment!
>
> And we all know it's not an issue with the management of the airport. Our
> airport remains the best G.A.airport in the Midwest, and everything is
> running smoothly.
>
> And it can no longer be a personal struggle between commissioners and the
> city manager -- all of the current airport commissioners have come on board
> in the last six months. The entire previous commission resigned, some for
> personal reasons, others in frustration. And this new crop of
> commissioners are the best I've ever seen, with representatives from every
> walk of life -- including a couple of heavy hitters from the biggest show in
> town, the University of Iowa.
>
> So what is it? A power struggle, plain and simple. If the City Manager can
> convince the City Council to go down this path (and he, as full-time city
> manager, is the guy who truly controls our part-time Mayor and councilors),
> he will have achieved control of the one area of city government that he
> could not directly control.
>
> And, if you follow the money, this change will set the city up to be in a
> position to close and sell the airport land down the road. If I were a
> betting man, I'd wager that there are already wealthy land developers
> steering this debate, behind the scenes.
>
> WE NEED YOUR HELP.
> ************************************************** ******
> City Councilors aren't schooled in airport management, or the needs of the
> pilot community -- they are being led down this path by a City Manager who
> has convinced them that this referendum is for the "good of the city and the
> airport." It is our job to show them the error of this logic, and the only
> way to do this is with letters, emails and phone calls!
>
> PLEASE don't wait, as time is extremely short. Send your emails opposing a
> referendum for the dissolution of our independent airport commission to
> . (These letters become part of the public record,
> viewable by all, so please keep them clean, brief, and professional.
> Please don't just forward this post to them, as the "delete" key is simply
> too easy to use. We need many voices!)
>
> The best approach is to keep it simple. Mention the reasons for the
> commission's existence. Mention the money saved by having a volunteer
> commission running the show, versus a paid staff of city employees. Perhaps
> even mention the wealthy land developers who are salivating over the thought
> of developing this land. (Iowa City is a very left-wing, liberal town.
> Calling someone around here a "wealthy land developer" is tantamount to
> calling them a cockroach...)
>
> If you have the time, a phone call is even more effective. Here are the
> phone numbers of the "swing voting" councilors:
>
> Reginia Bailey 319-351-2068
> Dee Vanderhoef 319-351-6872
> Bob Elliott 319-351-4056
> Connie Champion 319-337-6608
>
> (I have omitted the city councilors who are already vocally supporting the
> referendum.)
>
> All we need is FOUR councilors on our side (and we think we've already got
> 2) to make this issue go away -- for now.
>
> Thanks in advance.

[Larryskydives]

Jay,

How much money has the airp[ort received in Grant Money over the last 20 years?

There are Grant Assurances that could give some headaches to those who want to
shut it down.

Like repaying them with interest!!

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
(Larryskydives) wrote:

> Jay,
>
> How much money has the airp[ort received in Grant Money over the last 20
> years?
>
> There are Grant Assurances that could give some headaches to those who want
> to
> shut it down.
>
> Like repaying them with interest!!


How about repaying the FAA ALL the proceeds from sale of the airport
land? This is the sword held over Santa Clara County (CA) when they were
trying to shut down Reid-Hillview Airport.

Was your airport turned over to the city as surplus WW-II property? If
so, there are all kinds of encumbrences on any sale of the property.

[Jay Honeck]

> How much money has the airp[ort received in Grant Money over the last 20
years?
>
> There are Grant Assurances that could give some headaches to those who
want to
> shut it down.
>
> Like repaying them with interest!!

While it is true, they cannot close the airport for 20 years after accepting
federal assistance -- and our airport HAS accepted millions in assistance --
there is nothing in the law that prevents them from simply starving the
airport to death.

This is what they are doing now. No money is being spent on taxiways or
hangar maintenance, and the list of problems continues to grow.

Sadly, killing the airport slowly is an easy option for the anti-airport
crowd.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim Weir]

Ya know Jay, I'm really getting tired of your whining.

WHINE: They aren't spending money on the airport

WHINE: They aren't listening to the Airport Commission

WHINE: They are thinking of shutting down the airport

WHINE: My business will be in the dumper if the airport is closed


And of course, YOU are FAR too busy to run for the City Council that sets these
whines. FAR too busy to take the time to be on the board that sets airport
policy.

I don't want to see it any more in RA*. You've had your rant. It is
yours...get off your butt and run for office or not, but don't give us any more
of your "please help" crap unless it is for campaign literature.

Jim

->This is what they are doing now. No money is being spent on taxiways or
->hangar maintenance, and the list of problems continues to grow.



Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[Jay Masino]

Jay Honeck > wrote:
> While it is true, they cannot close the airport for 20 years after accepting
> federal assistance -- and our airport HAS accepted millions in assistance --
> there is nothing in the law that prevents them from simply starving the
> airport to death.
> This is what they are doing now. No money is being spent on taxiways or
> hangar maintenance, and the list of problems continues to grow.

This is basically what the Ocean City Council is doing to our airport.
They barely budget enough money to run the airport, and they complain
continuously about the money they do spend.

--- Jay



--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.oceancityairport.com
http://www.oc-adolfos.com

[Bob Noel]

In article >,
wrote:

> Ya know Jay, I'm really getting tired of your whining.

tough.

running for office isn't the only solution.

--
Bob Noel

[Jay Honeck]

> WHINE: My business will be in the dumper if the airport is closed

Actually, the best thing that could possibly happen to my business (from a
financial standpoint) would be for the airport to close tomorrow. That land
would be MUCH more valuable to my business if they built restaurants and Wal
Marts there.

Fly-in pilots represent less than 5% of my business -- there simply aren't
enough of us to go around.

I'm not doing the aviation thing cuz it's profitable, Jim -- I'm doing it
because I love it.

> And of course, YOU are FAR too busy to run for the City Council that sets
these
> whines. FAR too busy to take the time to be on the board that sets
airport
> policy.

Jim, I've been nominated (and ran) for the airport commission twice -- to no
avail. It was all a political joke.

Why? Because the City Council appoints the airport commissioners -- and
there ain't no way they will ever appoint a rabid airport supporter like me.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim Weir]

So who "appoints" the Council members? The voters, that's who. You are a
young, dynamic, presentable person. Get your hiney out there and run for the
Council. Remember JC Superstar? "Understand what power is, understand what
glory is."

Jim



"Jay Honeck" >
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->Jim, I've been nominated (and ran) for the airport commission twice -- to no
->avail. It was all a political joke.
->
->Why? Because the City Council appoints the airport commissioners -- and
->there ain't no way they will ever appoint a rabid airport supporter like me.



Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[SeeAndAvoid]

"Bob Noel" wrote
> running for office isn't the only solution.

and it's not always the best solution. Just because you get
elected to a council, that includes 5-6 others by the way,
doesn't mean you'd get any further in accomplishing
anything. Now of course if you were elected to the position
of DICTATOR, yeah, you could actually make some
changes I guess. But 1 out of 7, occasionally speaking up
for a cause important to you? Just watch the other 6 ignore
you as they did when you were just a joe schmoe during
public invited to be heard. I've seen it in our council, or
even on CSPAN at the national level - some guy up there
making a case for something important to his constituents,
and maybe one other person in chambers half awake
listening, and no action or discussion taken on it at all.

My problem with running for our version of the airport
commission, or council - which I've been asked to run for
both, no way - is Id have to tone down what's worked
in the past. I don't have the city holding a lease over my
head, I don't have voters to answer to, I don't have other
commission members telling me not to rock the boat, it's
a pretty good feeling answering to no one and not letting
people influence or water down my opinions. You cant
say that doesn't happen to politicians at all levels. They
can say they aren't influenced by special interests or
whatever, but I'm not buying any of that. It's part of the
game. I'm not playing that game. If I'm going to be
elected or selected and put into a position where I'm
useless, I won't consider the nomination.

I don't consider asking for help whining. What Jay is
dealing with alot of us are dealing with, unfortunately,
more and more. If we lay back and let things go,
we all pay for it in the future. I see nothing wrong in
him asking what's worked or not worked in similar
situations. Getting your name on the list of council
members, while it may make you feel popular for
a little while, doesn't amount to jack squat.

Chris

[Jay Honeck]

> So who "appoints" the Council members? The voters, that's who. You are a
> young, dynamic, presentable person. Get your hiney out there and run for
the
> Council. Remember JC Superstar? "Understand what power is, understand
what
> glory is."

Now you're scaring me. :-)

BTW: I wouldn't have a rat's-ass chance of winning a council seat. The
last Republican elected in Iowa City was in 1958 -- the year I was born...

This place is as close to single-party rule as you can get outside of Cuba.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim Weir]

Spoken by a person who doesn't have the balls to run. Gutless wonder, ain't ya
sonny?

Jim



Getting your name on the list of council
->members, while it may make you feel popular for
->a little while, doesn't amount to jack squat.
->
->Chris
->



Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[Jim Weir]

And Nevada County (CA) hadn't elected a Democrat in fifty years...until I won in
'95.

It isn't the PARTY, it is the PERSON. In a municipal election, nobody gives a
hairy rat's ass what your PARTY is, but what you will do for THEM.

Tip O'Neill said it best: "All politics are local."

RUN, DAMMIT, RUN.

What's the downside? A few months campaigning? A few bucks for flyers?

What's the upside? Bitching rights for the next four years if you lose, and a
seat at the table if you win.

Jim




"Jay Honeck" >
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->BTW: I wouldn't have a rat's-ass chance of winning a council seat. The
->last Republican elected in Iowa City was in 1958 -- the year I was born...
->
->This place is as close to single-party rule as you can get outside of Cuba.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[SeeAndAvoid]

"Jim Weir" wrote
> And Nevada County (CA) hadn't elected a Democrat in fifty years...
> until I won in '95.

Ooops, forgot how great you are, even though you remind us all
on a regular basis.
Proof positive, guts have nothing to do with it, it's all ego.
Is the definition of having 'balls' running for something they don't have a
snowballs chance in hell of actually winning? Say governor?
That aint balls, it's ego.
Jabs aside, which as usual you started, I'm still not convinced
just because he gets a seat on council he can make the changes
he'd like. He'd be more effective in other ways, ways that are
just as hard as campaigning and sending out flyers. Government
isn't always the answer.
But I suspect this will fall on deaf ears........so flame on.

Chris

[Matthew P. Cummings]

On Fri, 09 Jul 2004 21:12:35 -0700, Jim Weir wrote:

> It isn't the PARTY, it is the PERSON. In a municipal election, nobody gives a
> hairy rat's ass what your PARTY is, but what you will do for THEM.

I'll go one step further. Around here one party member will run as the
opposing party so that they can compete without ruining the chances of the
other. I.e. we have a Republican Sheriff that's really a Democrat that
run as a Republican so that he wouldn't compete against another Democrat
in the Primary that he couldn't hope to beat.

It's common around here and so the party system means nothing because we
have both parties doing it.

[gatt]

"bryan chaisone" > wrote in message
om...
> How can I help if my emails and letters gonna fall on death ears? Is
> there another way?

Skywriting. Get the media involved.

-c