Good arguments. But I always use this:

The highest economic use of a piece of land is not always the most
desirable use.

Consider city parks. They produce no tax revenue, on the contrary, they
require upkeep so consume taxes. What?? Then let's remove them! Replace
them with condos, homes, businesses, and maybe a gasoline station or
two.

The problem is few would want to live in a city like that. Likewise, it
might be that a local GA airport is not the highest economic use of the
land...so what?

BD

Orval Fairbairn writes:

Slight problem there -- it seems that at least part of the airport was
granted "in perpetuity" -- what part of that clause don't you understand?

SMO is a center for transportation for many of the prouducers in the
area, rather than for the looters, moochers and drones who wish to close
it.

The only problem with that is that AA doesn't necessarily take you where
you want to go; SMO can, and does so. You can go to anywhere in the
world from SMO or any other GA airport -- and -- you don't have to
depend on somebody else's schedule or routes.

--
Weak eyes are fondest of glittering objects.
--Thomas Carlyle