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Editorial: Savingdeveloper Airports Continued from Page 6 will extoll the benefits of new issues can usually be addressed with a reasoned argument that contains carefully vetted facts. The AOPA editorial comment demonstrates this metered approach that should always be standing by to put airport critics at ease. Regrettably, it is my experience that while very politically correct, such a truthful and factual approach is only applicable to a small percentage of airport critics, with the most fervent airport foes having no patience for such facts. Their agendas must be dealt with head on, often in a confrontational fashion. Let’s take a look at who we might face in an airport fight. First and foremost in the list of dangers to airports comes the local politician. As with Santa Monica, it is the cities leadership that wants to close its own airport. Simply stated, local politicians buy votes by promising services and benefits that the city cannot afford. They know that retention of power (often much more important than being a public servant) means that funds must be raised to buy the next election. These ambitious, selfserving individuals will build a business model that shows how tax revenues can be increased by turning airport property into a commercial park or housing development, meaning more tax dollars for them to spend. Simply stated, your airport becomes their political cannon fodder. This same model has been used to enact eminent domain actions, stealing privately owned property so as to build a strip mall or shopping center. This form of airport attack must be addressed for what it is, political ambition. Hit them hard and personal. The second greatest danger comes from real estate developers, often with a direct connection to local politicians. The
housing or a shopping center, but carefully leave out the fact that infrastructure (sewers, roads, increased traffic, schools, police, fire protection cost and power resources) will be left up to taxpayers to cough up. Scratch the surface of such real estate motives and one will often find a direct connection with politicians or close family associations. Yes, that may sound a bit “bitter,” but it has proven to be true in far too many cases. Third, are homeowner groups. Often formed for good reasons, homeowner groups can become a launching pad for those seeking personal recognition and validation. Typically, such groups will hit on the issues of safety and noise. They will attend community meetings and dramatically portray a neighborhood filled with death falling from the sky and noise so offensive that “one cannot even think.” They will track every negative event at an airport (like a plane landing gear up or making an emergency landing), quick to point out that “massive death was narrowly averted.” Some will even keep careful records about “planes flying so low they almost hit my house.” This writer recalls one lady who, while at a public meeting on airport safety, complained bitterly that “all the planes were flying low over her house to see her sunbathing in the buff.” Regrettably, one pilot in the meeting quickly asked about the location of her house, not a good move, but very funny! While many of the complaints are groundless, these folks attract the attention of local politicians who latch on to them as constituents. The complainers are, in fact, looking for such attention and the alliance can become a serious threat. Continued on Page 13
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Continued from Page 8 development. Adding a business development would only worsen the traffic congestion that plagues Santa Monica residents–and that is a top concern among city residents. AOPA commissioned a third-party survey in 2011 to gauge resident’s concern on various issues in the city. The airport ranked near the bottom of the list of residents’ concerns, with just two percent expressing that view. Meanwhile, traffic congestion and growth and development were at the top of the list. Yet, the city continues to come up with ways to waste money and increase traffic, AOPA said. “The city is not representing its citi-
zens,” Baker said. “Surveys have proven the majority of Santa Monica residents support the airport.” Currently, the city is refusing to extend leases on the airport beyond July 1, 2015; the date the city believes it can do with the airport property as it pleases. AOPA continues to work daily on strategies to defend and protect Santa Monica Municipal Airport, and to release the stranglehold the city has on the airport. AOPA is working closely with the National Business Aviation Association and others and will be garnering support for the airport. “We will not stop fighting for this airport,” Baker said.