Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The mindset at Warren County is once a vote takes place it is done and the decision has been made. At the state of the county Chairman Geraghty asked supervisors be respectful of the process and move on after the issue has been debated and subject to a vote.
That would be fine IF supervisors, the public and the media were notified in advance, and provided all of the facts and information. However, what if new information and facts come to light after a decision/vote is made?
Should a supervisor just ignore this?
- In the case of the airport, I was first told the FAA was directing Warren County to expand the runway. We looked into this and found out that was not true. It is solely a county decision to expand the runway.
- Then we were told the runway was being expanded for safety reasons. We looked into that and found out that was not true. The current runway is safe. It is a convenience issue for only a few flights a year.
- We were further told the runway expansion will create “million and million” of dollars in new economic development. We looked into that and found out there is not one piece of data, analysis or forecast that backs that up.
- Then we were told that if we stop the project we will have to pay back the past FAA grant money. So I contacted the FAA and they said no that is not the case. We do not have to pay the past grant money back.
- Finally, we verified that the FAA’s own requirements don’t support the runway expansion. The current runway length is more than adequate based on the aircraft using the airport, haul length, loads and FAA guidelines. The county has ignored this study from a reputable engineer and will not meet to go over it.
When I first started to look into this airport expansion project and inquire about these issues there was no willingness to listen or compromise on the part of most supervisors. Their attitude was the decision had been made and who am I to question it?
It is unfortunate because if an organization is not willing to take a hard look at a decision, especially a decision that can still be stopped or altered, based on new facts and information, then it is destined to repeat the mistakes of the past, e.g. Burn Plant. Cogen. Jail that is too big and expensive.
Because Supervisor Doug Beaty and I continue to speak out against the airport runway expansion, proponents of the runway expansion often have criticized us personally for our approach. “Shoot the messenger and not the message.” This has happened time and time again.
For example, we’ve been accused of not willing to compromise. What is there to compromise on? I’ve never heard any compromise put forth. The only thing I’ve heard is the decision has been made regardless of new facts and information, and that the other supervisors aren’t going to change their minds.
My experience at the county is compromise means stop opposing and go along with the decision. This is not a healthy approach. I’m not going to go along with a bad decision. In a democratic process elected representatives are responsible for representing their constituents. In the case of the airport, Doug and I believe we are doing that.
The FAA received the Washington Times Golden Hammer Award for one of the most egregious examples of government waste, fraud or abuse. At FAA, bigger budgets for less work lead to waste:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/20/golden-hammer-at-faa-bigger-budgets-for-less-work-/.
Warren County should say NO to this government waste. We can start in our own back yard by saying NO to the $8 million runway expansion. Click here to contact the Warren County Board of Supervisors – http://www.warrencountyny.gov/gov/bos.php.
Mark Westcott