PORT AGENDA TACTIC: HYPERBOLE AS FACT
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
In his 9/12/11 editorial submission to the Mason County Daily News, under the heading “Housing Construction in Airport Traffic Area”, Mr. Jack Krause of the WPA uses hyperbole to try and convince us that noise and encroachment issues were responsible for the closure of two general aviation airports and one “struggling for its life”. The implication is that these same issues will force the closure of Sanderson Field if the Shelton Hills Development project is allowed to go forward.
What follows, as Paul Harvey used to say, “Is the rest of the story”:
1. The first airport cited by Mr. Krause was in Blain, WA, near the Canadian border. Prior to closure, Blaine Airport was listed under “Abandoned or Little Known Airfields”, and had only a 2,539 ft. runway (half the length of Sanderson Field runway). But neither “noise aggravation” nor residential encroachment was responsible for the closure of Blaine; in 2008 the city council chose to close the airport, entirely for economic reasons.
2. The second airport closure cited was Sun Valley, or Hailey Airport, in Idaho. As with Blaine, Hailey Airport was not closed as a result of any encroachment or noise issues; rather it was replaced by a new, larger facility, Friedman Memorial Airport. The only part residential growth played in the closure of Hailey airport was to expedite construction of a new, larger airport with more amenities.
3. Finally, Paine Field Airport, described by Mr. Krause as “struggling for its life”, is located 30 miles north of downtown Seattle. The airport is home to 615 general aviation aircraft and the largest third party repair center in North America, servicing Alaska, Delta, Southwest and UPS fleets. Paine Field Airport accommodates 747s, 767s, 777s and even the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a regular basis. And though Paine Airfield does have some noise issues, it is definitely not “struggling” or in jeopardy of closure anytime in the foreseeable future. Moreover, to compare Paine Airfield to Sanderson Field is not so much comparing apples to oranges as it is apples to elephants.
4. Mr. Krause goes on to state that “Sanderson’s economic impact on Shelton is $12 million, annually”, or about half of the entire budget of Mason County. But according to the Port of Shelton’s own accounting figures, gross revenues generated from airport operations at Sanderson Field were reported to be only $161,789.71 in 2010. How Mr. Krause gets $12 million dollars of annual economic impact from that hard figure is a mystery only he can explain.On a final note, presenting hyperbole as fact is a tactic used by the Port and friends to propel an ideological agenda. But spin the facts as they may, not even the Port can dance away from the damage it has inflicted on our economic recovery.
At the end of the day, the best chance Mason County has to grow and prosper may be sabotaged by the very municipality created to promote just such growth. And if history is any indication, the Port will do it all while claiming it’s for our own good.
Link to reference document: DOT report for Sanderson Field
http://myweb.hcc.net/pkands/docs/DOT_Sanderson_field_report.pdf
Link to MCDN Jack Krause 9/12/11 citizen editorial
"Housing Construction in Airport Traffic Area":
http://masoncountydailynews.com/voices/citizen-editorial
Graphic by www.letterpress.dwolske.com
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
Shelton Blog invites Jack Krause to submit a comment if he so wishes.
submitted by Dick Curtis
ReplyDeleteI can't offer enough praise for Tom Davis who is continually speaking to - pointing to -- what the Real Truths/Facts are surrounding the "Port of Shelton" and the Port's so called 'concern' for the citizens' economic development and growth.
The past couple of years have highlighted a Major concern surrounding this Public Institution called "Port of Shelton." That concern is: Perceived honesty or not ---- unfortunately, it is so often NOT -- and here are a few thoughts as to why:
..How does a Public Entity, i.e., Port of Shelton, continue to present: (1) half-truths (such as the operational noise level of Kettle Falls) OR (2) total Mis-statements (such as no discussions concerning bringing in Biomass-to-electricity were ever made prior to March-April 2010 ---- when, in fact, initial discussions took place as far back as 2005)?????
..How did the expenditure of Public Funds to install a state-of-the-art sound recording system in the Commissioner public meeting room (one capable of picking-up every whisper) achieve a "Benefit" for the citizens - the community - the public who were the ones who provided the funds?
..How does the expenditure of High Amounts of Public Funds ($$$$$$) to multiple Legal Consultants (especially when attacking citizen complaints) achieve a "Benefit" for the citizens -- the ones who, again, foot the bill 'Against Themselves'??
..Me thinks that the Port of Shelton has the idea that "What's decided to be good for the current public position holders" -- is, of course, perfectly fine for the Public -- who, of course, will foot the bill and will Never Be Asked for Input that is both respected and listened to!!!