Greene couple says they are made to feel like they are impediment to progress
Part II of the series “Individual rights vs. the common good”WAYNESBURG – Larry and Linda Varner of Franklin Township say they have no way of knowing if this is the last year they will celebrate the holidays in their beloved farmhouse, which has been in their family since 1966. “A realtor called us about selling the farm to the county,” Larry said recently. “They called twice in the last month.”
Living beneath flight path
The Varners’ house, buildings and 100 acres sit at the end of Greene County Airport Runway 27, which, according to many officials, sits in the middle of the pathway to progress.
In fact, the Varner farm is in the direct flight path of aircraft using Runway 27.
Back in the 1970’s, when Linda’s parents stilled owned the farm, the county purchased an 8-acre easement through the property for planes to fly over. The document noted that the trees within the easement must be trimmed according to aviation regulations.
The agreement seemed to be working, even after Linda and Larry purchased the property in 1985.
But, by the early ’90s the trees had grown significantly and more planes were flying in and out. Federal officials soon informed the county that the airport was in non-compliance regarding runway obstructions.
On July 30, 1992, the Varners were informed that they had 60 days to trim the trees. “It was vague,” Larry said, especially regarding who would pay for the trimming.
And that’s when the trouble began.
Larry says that board of commissioners hired a local timber management firm to do the job.
“[The owner of the firm] cut 21 trees that weren’t even in the easement,” Larry said. “And nobody would admit to it or pay for the trees that were cut.”
The trees were left to rot. From that point, Varner says he wasn’t feeling particularly neighborly any more. In fact, he barred anyone from entering his property.
Ann Bargerstock, county director of planning, who also oversees airport operations, and Commissioner Farley Toothman acknowledged that they are aware of the unfortunate situation. Neither Bargerstock nor Toothman worked for the county at that time, however, and could not be more specific.
“The county signed a contract [with the owner of the firm], who never fulfilled his contract,” Toothman said.
‘It’s harassment’
Since that time, Larry says, planes no longer use the easement to fly in and out; they prefer to fly directly over his home and swimming pool. He has numerous videotapes of what he calls “harassment” by the local pilots.
“We’ve been harassed since 1992 with the air traffic flying over our house,” he says. The house is situated about one-half mile below the easement.
“They’re like giant flying lawn mowers,” Linda says. “You can’t just drive your car anywhere you want. Why should airplanes have that luxury?”
Leo “Skip” Brownyard, aviation specialist supervisor, said the he is not aware of a “no-fly zone” near the Varners’ home, but added if pilots are deliberately harassing anyone, they should be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Flight Standards District Office at 412-466-5357.
The Varners are skeptical that anyone would take their complaint seriously. “It’s harassment,” Larry said. “They figure you’ll get mad and sell it.”
Toothman and Bargerstock admitted that the county wants to purchase the entire farm, in the name of safety – and progress.
For years now, local pilots and officials concerned with economic development have insisted that the best way to facilitate progress in Greene County is by expanding the runway from its present 3,500 feet to 5,000 feet. In fact, brochures advertising the proposed EverGreene Technology Park note that airport expansion is imminent.
Brownyard says the airport is considered “basic,” suitable for small aircraft that can land without instruments.
A 5,000-foot runway, however, could accommodate corporate jets, making the area more attractive to new businesses.
A runway expansion project, unfortunately, would be no small task. At the end of Runway 27 is a ravine where an artificial wetland was developed to replace one destroyed when SCI-Greene was built. A stream also runs through the area, along with various utility lines.
But John Lovingood, who operates Eagle I Flight School at the airport and who is also a member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), says build it and they will come.
He says a longer runway is worth the effort and expense. “You have to have an atmosphere for development,” he says. “We could be a boom town…. You can’t have a fair without the fairgrounds; you aren’t going to have corporate aviation coming to Greene County without an airport.”
Miles Davin, also a member of EAA, agrees. “The pilots want commercial growth. We have to build bigger runways.”
Lovingood doesn’t feel that the county commissioners support the airport adequately. “We need an airport authority made up of pilots,” he says.
Expand or maintain?
But Toothman says the 2003 county budget includes $100,000 to be used as matching funds for grants from state and federal sources. “There’s our commitment to the airport,” he says.
Yet, Toothman acknowledges that the taxpayers see the commissioners “waffling” regarding airport expansion because it’s difficult to spend county resources for “what most see as a hobby” for about 30 pilots.
“It seems unfair,” he added.
Actually, a lot more than 30 local pilots use the airport, according to Jim Scott, airport assistant manager.
He said the facility is used routinely by Dept. of Corrections officials, legislators and other government officials, coal company representatives and medical helicopters, among many others.
Additionally, Lovingood says about 100 students are flight enrolled in his school.
“Our board is full every day the sun shines,” he says.
Bargerstock says the “best estimate” of the number of take-offs and landings is about 75,000 annually.
Still, the airport doesn’t bring enough money to fully cover its expenses. Budget figures from 2001 show total revenues as $111,624 and total expenses as $115,926.
Revenues included $61,004 from charges for service and $50,619 for office rental.
Expenditures included such things as personnel ($37,468); utilities, rent and communications, (almost $19,000); and supplies and repairs ($47,083).
Maintaining even a basic airport gets more expensive every year, Toothman noted, adding, “Hangar rental rates are hardly what small household storage facilities charge.”
Jim Scott, airport assistant manager, said the 36 hangars range in price from about $65 to $95 per month. There is a waiting list for hangar rentals.
Despite the costs involved, Toothman said the current board of commissioners has approved a capital improvement plan, which includes the extension of Runway 27 and 20 new hangars by 2009.
Trees must go
But Bargerstock says the airport has to be brought up to standards before anything else can be done.
In a letter dated Feb. 21, 2002, Brownyard noted 10 instances in which the Greene County Airport was not in compliance with state aviation regulations. Three of those concerned trees and other vegetation on or near Runways 09 and 27, which Brownyard said “are considered to be deficiencies of the criteria established for the licensure of the airport and may pose a threat to the safety of air operations.”
Other issues included the presence of a motor home on the premises, illegally parked vehicles, damaged runway lights, lack of signage, deteriorating pavement and taxiway hold lines.
Following Brownyard’s report, the county was given 30 days to respond with a plan for corrective action.
Bargerstock sent a reply to Brownyard dated June 6, 2002, noting that nine of the issues of non-compliance were resolved. The only issue remaining was the overgrown trees at the end of Runway 27 on the Varner property.
Bargerstock wrote, “As you are aware, the owner of the neighboring property has been less than cooperative. Threshold displacement will take place within the next three weeks as a temporary measure. The County Commissioners have begun the process of filing a Declaration of Taking and will institute eminent domain proceedings in the near future. We plan to take the entire farm to allow for expansion of the airport.”
Brownyard said the Aviation Administration will be forced to take “legal action” against the county if nothing is done. The trees must be cut, or the runway threshold will have to be displaced, making it 300 feet shorter.
Toothman acknowledged that the commissioners have authorized the Greene County Industrial Development Authority to administer the purchase of the Varner farm.
He added, however, that it’s not too late to “sit down and chat” with the Varners about other options, including a life estate.
Meanwhile, the Varners try to continue normal living, although every one of those 75,000 take-offs and landings is a dark reminder of things to come.
“We want it resolved,” Larry said. “We will cut the trees, but we don’t want harassed by the commissioners or the planes.”
“I would like someone who really knows to come and mark the trees that need to be cut,” Linda says, adding, “I just want to live on my farm.”
Not matter what, Larry emphasizes, “This farm is not for sale.”