AIRPORT: Facility cost unwarranted

After reading the article about the airport firing back, my first question was: Why would someone who is purported to be a “hangar owner” or any other airport stakeholder be anything but supportive of an airport “improvement project?” Since there was no answer in the article, I will give it a try.

The simple answer is this: The proposed facilities are not needed and the cost estimate for the facilities has grown from $1,560,000 in 2019 to as much as $6,000,000 in 2021. Scale back? I doubt it, these are 2021 numbers.

I have read the 2019 Airport Master Plan and the 2021 Snow Removal Equipment and Administration Facility Plan. The justifications for the facilities are flimsy, with no alternative analysis. I suspect neither of the commissioners have read the plans. It might also be that they have never challenged the need with the Airport Director. I would like to be made aware of any public comment supporting the facilities outside the above referenced plans.

When the commissioners refused my request for time to speak publicly at the BOCC meeting prior to their taking action and commencing the project, I put my concerns on the record prior to their action via email. I stand by those email comments and would be happy to share them with anyone interested in seeing what so rankled commissioner Fillios. I would also gladly publicly debate commissioners Fillios and Brooks and AD Kjergaard on the lack of merits for the projects.

I am not now nor have I ever professed to speak on behalf of the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Airport.

STEVE ANDERSON

Hauser