Agenda - 05-24-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MS. PENNY ALDRICH, a teacher at Estes Elementary School, mentioned the fact that 500 feet of runway is currently being added at the Horace Williams Airport. This addition changes the airport runway to a 4000 foot runway. Corporate planes require a minimum of 3900 feet in order to attempt a landing. She stated that RDU will limit, if not eliminate, the use of its facilities by small aircraft. That will open the door for these corporate aircraft to use Horace Williams. She mentioned that many citizens feel strongly that because Horace Williams is in such close proximity to many homes, apartments and 2 city schools it should not be permitted to extend it facilities. MR. LES BROWN, a member of SCRAP, spoke in opposition to the airport. He stated that he is troubled by the money and energy consumed by, what he believed to be, a false premise. Namely, that there are important economic benefits to be derived from an airport. He stated he believes the data used to support the assumption that the airport would provide substantial money to the county budget has not been produced. MR. JAY ZARAGOZA, a citizen and landowner, spoke in opposition to the airport. He pointed out that just two days ago the United States Supreme Court ruled that individuals can sue cities and towns over the noise produced by airports. He thanked Commissioners Carey, Hartwell and Willhoit for meeting personally with citizens during the last several weeks. He disagreed with the supposition that the airport is a means to a goal and indicated that the goal needs to be more clearly defined. He stated that the economic activities in the county need to be aimed at correcting the separate and unequal school systems now present in Orange County. MS. JOAN JOBSIS stated that her property is directly in the middle of site 11. The approval of that site would have been a personal tragedy in her life. She thanked the Commissioners for responding to the outpouring of citizen sentiment and stated that they have restored her faith in the democratic process. She also stated that this experience has enlightened her. She now realizes that the Commissioners need for the citizens to be involved. Also, each citizen has a personal need to be involved in county politics. She stated that she will work with the Commissioners and her fellow citizens in helping Orange County move toward a goal of economic stability. MS. LEIGH PEEK spoke in opposition to the airport. She indicated that many citizens have been hurt by the pursuit of a proposed airport site. Also, she felt that this project should have been listed in the Report to the People. MR. FRANS JOBSIS, a Duke University Professor, a small businessman and a landowner in the site 11 area, mentioned that last year, after 20 years of requests, DOT paved Bushy Cook Road. He wondered if it was because of this upcoming project. He stated that as a small businessman he has a need for skilled technicians. Be has been unable to locate them in Orange County. He agreed with Ms. Newell's suggestion of a technically oriented vocational, school. He offered to assist in any way possible. MR. MICHAEL JOLLY, a citizen and pilot, spoke in opposition to the airport. He showed a series of slides pertaining to the noise footprint of the Gulf Stream IV jet. The Gulf Stream IV is the quietist of the corporate jets. He stated that the slides showed that the noise footprint indicated that the noise would be intolerable in the area of the proposed airport. He assured the Commissioners that he is in favor of attracting economic development to Orange County. He volunteered his services to help reach that goal. He also stated his opposition to the expansion of the Horace ---.........0■51arsisenzemmegazussissomii