"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:eTBPa.36352$H17.11174@sccrnsc02...
Our local newspaper is on the warpath again against the airport. See it
at:

http://www.press-citizen.com/opinion...edit070903.htm

Several of us have written letters, and I have spoken with anyone who will
listen about the "crown jewel" of Iowa City (as we refer to it -- it
really
IS the best G.A. airport in the Midwest) -- but with the budget cuts
coming
down the pike I'm afraid the idea of closing the airport is gaining
traction
amongst the university crowd. Any suggestions?

For those of you who have visited our wonderful facility in Iowa City, it
would be GREAT if you could send the editor a letter outlining your
positive
experiences here.

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

First, the municipality funded infrastructure SHOULD pay for itself. Hangar
rent should pay for the debt service on the hangars and for upkeep. Etc.
Etc. Etc. Perhaps some fee increases are needed (yuck).

That said, arguing that the airport doesn't bring business to the community
is similar to arguing that roads don't bring business to the community.
Transportation facilitates business, it doesn't bring business on its own
accord. BUT, try to bring business to town without adequate transportation.

Beyond that, the airport generates jobs. How many people are employed doing
airport related business? Cutting the grass... Pumping fuel... Maintaining
aircraft? Renting cars and hotel space? Also, how much personal property
and fuel tax does the airport generate? Is that in the newspaper's
equation?

Going a bit further, how much income does the fire department, the local
park generate, or repaving a road create for the town? Certainly one can
argue that you could identify any government function and call for its
elimination based on the fact that it doesn't pay for itself. Nothing the
government does pays for itself, that's why we have taxes.

Good luck...

KB