Sidders/Kalispell City AirportKalispell City Council
Kalispell, Montana
Dear Members of the City Council,
It recently came to my attention that the council is actually hearing
complaints about the Kalispell City airport. While complaints from some
members of the community are inevitable whenever an airplane flies
overhead, I implore you to consider the overwhelming benefits of this
particular airport.
During these more difficult economic times, closure of the City airport
would have a tremendous negative impact on the surrounding business
owners as well as the businesses currently existing on and adjoining the
airport. Additionally, I feel certain there would be a significant
number of job losses at the airport as a result of a closure.
I doubt any of the local businesses, who undoubtedly benefit from the
convenient location of this airport, are among those voicing any
complaints. More often, complaints are heard from members of the public
who were well aware of the existence of the airport before they bought
their homes and now jump into the fray to stop its use because of noise
concerns.
Over the past decade, I have utilized the City airport multiple times
because of the ease of access to a multitude of different amenities. I’
ve stayed at the motels, walked to the Rosauer’s grocery to re-supply
for trips into the backcountry, attended conferences, bought fuel and
had maintenance performed on my aircraft. I’ve picked up and dropped off
a physically and mentally challenged passenger so she could visit her
parents in Bozeman. If she were forced into a trip to Glacier
International, her trips would simply not occur.
The same people who complain about noise will complain about increased
costs for services that would have to be moved to Glacier International
such as FedEx, UPS and Search and Rescue operations. Noise concerns –
usually very brief - can be dealt with through runway re-alignment and
refined approach/departure procedures. Also, since this airport is
funded by the pilot community, taxes and airport fees, the public (and
city) is receiving the full benefit of a local airport without bearing
any of the associated expenses.
In closing, I want to again emphasize that the overall benefit of
leaving the airport as-is or improving it in its current location, far
outweighs the temporary discomfort experienced by a select few
individuals who knew the airport existed long before they decided to
live near it.
Sincerely,
Michael Sidders
Bozeman, MT
Wasilla, AK