By Julia Reeves Santa Monica
Initially, I cheered when I began reading that the “City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with the ban on the largest, fastest jet aircraft, a move that is expected to improve public safety, but, could also expose the city to litigation.” (”Changing the flight plan,” page 1, Nov. 29) Reading further, I noted that the ban would “affect only those aircraft with approach speeds of more than 121 knots, which represent only 7 percent of total jet operations at the airport." I then began to wonder if the ban is enough?
Then, I learned that “Kirk Shaffer, FAA’s associate administrator of airports... suggested that the ban is illegal and that the council should instead focus its efforts on working with the FAA to install safety enhancements and possibly purchase homes around the airport to create runway protection zones." I personally think that solution is preposterous, and out of the question. I wonder, then, what the residents who would be affected by this feel? I seriously doubt that “the current aircraft that use the airport are in full compliance with FAA safety regulations and City Hall has provided no reasonable basis for restricting them.” WHAT??????????
I was glad to read that “Mayor Richard Bloom said purchasing homes only to destroy them is ‘offensive and absurd,’ and goes against the goal of preserving housing and creating more when opportunities arise.”
While business that operate out of the airport “catering to the faster jets” fear how their businesses would fair if “their customers are no longer allowed to land," what thought have those same businesses given to the plight of residents surrounding the airport who have made significant investment in their homes, which homes are in constant danger posed by those larger jets?
Keep on fighting, City Council to protect and preserve the safety of Santa Monica residents located so close to the airport.
Thank you.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.