> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Surprisingly civil protest - URL: https://www.smdp.com/surprisingly-civil-protest/ - Published: 2007-08-30T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T02:43:56.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica Airport, #archive-import *City Council grounds FAA proposal amid considerable debate* CITY HALL Elected officials on Tuesday rejected what they called an inadequate runway safety proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration, instructing city staff to continue working with the agency to come up with measures that best protect residents, pilots and their passengers. The City Council also asked its staff to contact federal legislators, some of whom have voiced displeasure with the FAA, to see if Congress could intervene by changing Santa Monica Airport’s classification so that it would no longer be a “reliever” airport for LAX. It’s the officials’ hope that if the airport is reclassified and safety measures installed, larger jet aircraft would no longer be able to fly into Santa Monica, a development that would provide some relief to residents currently living within 300 feet of the end of the runways. Seven years in the making, Tuesday’s public hearing with the FAA was preceded by an emotional rally in front of City Hall. More than 100 residents who live beneath the airport’s flight path voiced their concerns about jet aircraft operations, which they say have increased considerably over the last decade — especially since the 9/11 terrorist attacks — bringing with them more noise and air pollution, as well as the increased chance of a runway overrun or other accident that could kill hundreds of people. “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore,” said Martin Rubin, director of Concerned Citizens Against Airport Pollution (CRAAP), which has blasted the FAA for playing “runway roulette” with residents’ lives. “The FAA’s proposal is completely inadequate (and) we’re tired of them gambling with our lives.” Federal aviation officials, including Associate Administrator Kirt Shaffer, the second-highest ranking member of the FAA, spent nearly four hours defending their proposal, which would include the installation of two, 130-foot collapsible concrete beds at each end of the runway capable of stopping large aircraft exiting the runway at 40 knots (46 miles per hour) or less. Shaffer and his staff listened to roughly 70 residents who attended the hearing, and answered questions posed by Council members. Shaffer pledged to do whatever he could to address the concerns of residents and the Council, but was firm in his belief that the FAA’s proposal will achieve the greatest amount of safety without preventing aircraft currently using the airport from doing so in the future. “This is unprecedented,” Shaffer said of the FAA’s proposal, which would shorten the existing runway by less than 150 feet. “We have gone everywhere, looked at every option, and using any amount of runway that is currently being used by an aircraft simply has not been done and has not been proposed at any other airport, but we are proposing it to you as a means of finding a way to add safety benefits to an already safe operation.” Shaffer, who said Santa Monica Airport is one of the top 15 general aviation airports in the country in terms of its operational level, believes it is important to maintain the current mix of aircraft using Santa Monica because of their contribution to the local and regional economy. If the runway is shortened significantly, certain types of aircraft, mainly jets, would not be able to land or take off. He further promised to “take ownership” of the airport and make sure that seven more years do not pass before a solution is reached. “I am committed to keeping ownership of this,” Shaffer said. “We know how in big organizations there are several layers between here and the headquarters. But, just so you have assurances, whatever further coordination, it will be done very expeditiously and have my personal attention along the way.” Santa Monica Airport Manager Bob Trimborn, who has been working closely with the FAA on runway safety, said it was “extraordinary” to have someone of Shaffer’s status come address the Council and then spend hours listening and answering questions. Shaffer’s presence shows his commitment to the issue, according to Trimborn. “I was really proud of everybody, the community, the council and the FAA, because everyone was treated with dignity and respect,” Trimborn said.“We had a really good discussion. People were very balanced, rational about their concerns, which are legitimate, and I think the FAA got a real good, up-close-and-personal picture of how many of the residents feel about airport safety, and I think that’s a really good thing.” From the comments made by elected officials and residents during the rally, it seemed that the hearing was going to be combative. But it was the opposite. Despite years of frustration, residents, for the most part, kept their calm and politely addressed the FAA and the council. Elected officials also stayed away from bashing the FAA, instead taking the opportunity to learn more about airport operations so that they could make an informed decision on how to proceed. “I’m not only grateful for the fashion in which you folks have conducted this public hearing, but more importantly, I couldn’t be more impressed with the fashion all the folks, the neighbors, have given their comments,” Shaffer said. Trimborn said he will make recommendations at the Council meeting on Sept. 25. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 30, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/083007.pdf?ref=smdp.com)