AIRPORT: It's all about expansion

The issue is not if the airport manager is a good guy or not. We are sure Mr. Delavan is a good man and has the airport interests at heart. But does he have the community interests at heart?

The issue is the expansion of runway 6-24 by 1100+ feet so that our regional airport can accommodate Boeing 747s. Our airport in its present configuration can presently safely service stretch Boeing 737-300s. This is more than adequate to meet the needs of future regional commercial carriers as well as general aviation.

At the airport manager’s insistence, our commissioners passed a ruling allowing for this expansion, thinking they were doing only what was best from a safety regard. This was done without any input from the citizens of Kootenai County. Wisely, they hired Boise consultant Marsha Bracke to find out what impact it would have on us and the results were disastrous! Wisely they want to dial back their ruling and get input from us.

The “new direction” is really keeping our airport to its existing footprint and not wiping out connectivity on Huetter and Ramsey roads.

Ask Mr. Delavan about the 1100+ feet and the adverse impact on 10 square miles in surrounding Hayden and Rathdrum. The real “dirty trick” is arrogantly changing our publicly funded airport without respecting our citizens’ right to comment.

Thank you commissioners for your courageous action.

DON SWANSON

Coeur d’Alene