DOCUMENTS - Citizens' City Airport Study GroupFred,
Thank you for sharing the documents from the ‘Citizens’ City Airport
Study Group. I am sorry that I was unable to attend the last meeting.
Sadly, the dentist chair took priority.
Starting with some admin issues, I will be out of the country on
business from February 27 until July 1. I will be checking my emails
occasionally which brings up another issue. My email has changed to
cja@cjamt.net. Please share with the rest of the board members and
update City records.
I have also attached a Stratfor article regarding General Aviation
following the recent attack on government offices using a light
aircraft. I am always watchful of the typical knee jerk reactions of
uninformed politicians and others in situations like this. #$!^
Happens. There is no such thing as perfect security. Efforts to
eliminate all risk only serve to eliminate ALL liberty. You just have
to monitor reaction. Enough said.
Since I am preparing for a long term business trip to Mexico, I was
unable to go over this with a fine tooth comb. However, here are a few
thoughts:
1. Regardless of whether we agree with all or part of what this
group says and their ultimate goals or not, we must treat their concerns
with respect and commend their willingness to be involved in the future
of this community;
2. As a demonstration of this respect, the City should formally,
and impartially respond to the charges and recommendations (e.g. the
belief that the airport is managed by Red Eagle.) This should be
carefully crafted and without contempt or bravado;
3. That said, it is my opinion that this groups only goal is to
basically shut down the airport. Whether it be by making rules and
amending leases to such a point as to make any airport related business
to unprofitable; by moving the airport completely to another yet to be
determined location; or by moving all operations to Glacier
International. I do not believe that they will accept any study that is
inconsistent with their goals and shows favor to the Kalispell Airport.
It seems to me that this group may have a problem with for profit
entities;
4. Though we must show respect to this group, given it’s size (3
signatories) I do not believe that the City should expend excessive
resources by re-studying everything to death. Respond and move on;
5. If this group has evidence of government corruption, then they
should provide evidence and the City should address. A disagreement on
policy does not constitute corruption. Though not a specific charge, it
was implied under ‘Background of the Study Group.’
6. Safety concerns should be addressed directly with a comparison
of Aviation Safety (specifically General Aviation) and other modes of
transportation. I dare say there have been more fatalities on the road
in Flathead County over the past 10 years than aviation accidents (I
would bet nationwide.)
7. This exercise does serve a purpose. Given the current state of
economic affairs financial resources must not be squandered. We should
also look at alternatives to airport modernization and improvement.
This may entail a scaled down plan. One thing I would not support is to
go digging around for so called ‘stimulus’ funds. Maybe we should be
looking at how we can make better what we already have as an option.
The option not to extend the runway is a start. It would be nice to
have a wider runway though.
Well, I know that this is not a complete and detailed analysis. It is
just what came off the top of my head. I hope that it is helpful in
some way. I will leave the document you loaned me at City Hall.
Sincerely,
Chris Amyes
Flathead Security Consulting, LLC