airport
Received the following from Rep. Price on the airport. Others may have received essentially the same communication, so apologies if this has already appeared elsewhere.
Noted, #1: the overt designation (twice) of the proposed airport as a "general aviation airport" - not a "University airport."
Noted, #2: his disavowal of having any role, even with his
acknowledgment that funding and eminent domain are concerns. And while he does believe that OC board should join UNC and NCGA in the decision process, the outer limit of citizens' role or power should be "input."
Noted, #3: the specific information about funding sources -- indication is that the state legislature actually could/will control funding. Not necessarily news but a clear suggestion about where the action ultimately could/will be - not encouraging for opponents.
I attended the meeting at the White Cross community center, in Southern Orange County. There was a good turnout of people. The community center is a building housing gymnasium / basketball court and space surrounding it for spectators. The room was full of attendees.
The group that arranged the meeting is called “Preserve Rural Orange”; they are just getting organized to oppose the airport. They were handing out ‘No Airport” signs and bumper stickers at the meeting and asking for donations to offset the cost of printing.
Okay, here’s where I’m thinking things stand regarding an
airport anywhere in Orange County, and just for a chuckle, I’ve handicapped the
scenarios as I see them. Note: I do not have insider information from anyone in any form, just conjecture based on history and a large dollop of cynicism.
1. Horace Williams Airport remains open, where it is, for
at least another 7-10 years and likely beyond. REVISED 3/24/11: Odds 95 in 100.
The meeting this evening in White Cross, near the top-ranked 'Site
H' for UNC air operations after RDU, was very well attended and full of
reasonable information, some of which was recently brought out in the
Indy. I encourage participation in further meetings organized by
http://preserveruralorange.org.
Before I elaborate on my mea culpa, let me assure the gentile reader I have not wavered one iota in my opposition to this ill conceived airport idea. In fact I am more dedicated than ever :)
I had the opportunity to exchange emails with House Speaker Hackney on the subject of my claim that S1925 bypasses county zoning ordinances. Speaker Hackney asserted that S1925 did not circumvent zoning and that he had put specific language into the bill that prevented Orange county zoning from being bypassed. I told him was not a lawyer, but I still had concerns.
Speaker Hackney pointed to this specific language in S1925:
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