Greene property owners dispute need to expand airport runway onto family’s farm
Only in Greene County, in these poorer than poor economic times, would politicians insist the best way to facilitate progress is by expanding the airport runway. Yes, Greene County residents, an expanded runway able to accommodate the many corporate jets that will be landing in the near future will save us from further economic decline.
According to pilot Lovingood, “We could be a boom town” and per Miles Davin, “The pilots want commercial growth, we have to build bigger runways.” This certainly is a Field of Dreams for those whose livelihood depends on the airport and the recreational pilots (around 30), once again at the taxpayer’s expense. What about the rest of the citizens? Do we really believe this?
As property owners, we were informed via an article in the Greene County Messenger, that the county commissioners have begun the process of filing a declaration of taking and will institute eminent domain proceedings in the near future. It is obvious the county wants our property. The question remains why? You will never convince us it is for airport expansion.
What is the hidden agenda? According to an article in the Washington Times, “most people would be shocked to discover that governments across the nation are taking individuals’ homes only to transfer that property to a favored business or neighbor.” Interesting, isn’t it?
A third feasibility study is underway to determine the need for runway expansion. I doubt this has even begun, let alone been completed. The study in 1995 did not see a need for expansion and the cost at that time was $16 million for a 900-foot extension.
An environmental impact study must be done to assess potential impacts to species and to Coal Lick Run and Ten Mile Creek.
None of these studies are completed, yet the county has already set in motion proceedings to take our home. Brochures advertising the proposed EverGreene Industrial Park note that airport expansion is imminent.
Concerning EverGreene, just who is the mystery person with $40 million to invest in our community? We would all like to know who is so concerned about the economic welfare and development of our county. There is no reason this information should remain secret, privy to a select group.
Re: Eminent Domain, Commissioner Farley Toothman said, “It’s not too late to sit down and chat.” One chats about the weather, not the loss of one’s home of nearly 40 years. Then the talk of the life estate – does anyone expect or anticipate our imminent demise? We hope your political careers will be gone long before our deaths occur.
We really take exception to the “best estimate” by Ann Bargerstock of 75,000 take-offs and landings. That would average 205 take-offs and landings per day. How many days of inclement weather do you think we have in a year in this locale, preventing any flying at all? It seems this figure would still be inflated, if all the practice landings were included in this. Jim Scott, airport assistant manager, should have all the information. The rental fees at the hangars range from $65 to $95 per month. What a bargain considering rental fee for a 10-x-lO-storage area costs approximately $50 per month. I bet there is a waiting list.
Whether it’s federal, state or local money (including all of those grants that have been awarded) the money comes from working people, taxpayers. People seem to forget this. Money really doesn’t grow on trees. There is no Grant Money Forest – just taxpayers.
With the deep ravine that separates our property from the airport, it will cost tens of millions of dollars to complete this project. A project of this magnitude should be put before the voters. A completely new state-of-the-art airport could be built for the cost of the runway expansion.
The prime development property in Greene County remains the current site of the airport. They anticipated moving it a few years ago near Jefferson, but that community overwhelming declined because of safety issue with the schools. Central Greene now has not only the high school, but also the elementary school near the airport, closer than it would have been in Jefferson.
We were told in the past the airport could not expand because of proximity to then, only the high school. The elementary school is now located in the same area. Shouldn’t we be concerned about this, too?
Our property is currently under threat of eminent domain by these commissioners. Who will be next?
Larry and Linda Varner own property next to the Greene County Airport.