March 28 Airport Relocation Update
Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 3:32pm.
Area: LocalCities: AndersonTopics: Community GroupsTypes: Opinion
Area: LocalCities: AndersonTopics: Community GroupsTypes: Opinion
By "NO FLY ZONE"
Sorry we've been rather silent lately...guess we've been waiting for something
"definitive" to happen regarding the proposed SW Madison County
airport. Not much has happened officially - and certainly not much out in
the open. But in order to keep everyone up-to-speed, here's what we do
know:
1) Fishers has contacted Mayor Ockomon about the possibility of once again partnering with Anderson in an attempt to relocate their airport to our area. In Mayor Ockomon's words, "They've been relentless." Mr. Ockomon recently told the Anderson Airport Support Group (AASG) that he has "rebuffed them on every point." He went on to again declare the SW Madison Airport "dead". We've heard from several sources that some individuals and business people have also been "working on" Mayor Ockomon, to get him to change his position on the airport. We have no reason to believe they have had any success in having him back down from his promises.
2) Fishers officials have met with Lapel town officials in an attempt to get their backing for the proposed relocation airport. Lapel officials say they learned nothing new from the meeting. Lapel Town Council members say they "cannot imagine a situation in which we will change our position," though Fishers believes they can help the town annex property in an apparent exchange for Lapel's agreement to rezone it and allow an airport to go in. Again, we do not believe the Lapel town council would make any such agreement at this time.
3) Fishers has been approaching towns which adjoin these portions of Green Township, and has been investigating a partnership with them behind the scenes. To date, those towns have not made public statements which either support or oppose the airport. It might be important for people to call their town council members and make their views known, now that Fishers is pursuing them. If you believe your area might be annexed into either of these municipalities in the next few years, then your views are still important and should be heard by these officials who will end up representing you, because they may some day want your vote.
4) At least one of the current 3 county commissioners is not seeking re-election next November. If Fishers is turned down by Anderson and Lapel, we believe they will approach the County and try to get them on board. So it is crucial for us all to educate ourselves on the candidates and ask them where they stand on the airport issue.
5) If Fishers can obtain enough land options, the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) would have to at least look at and consider the possibility of relocating Metropolitan Airport into this portion of Green Township. The IAA continues to insist they are not in the business of closing airports and that it would take widespread support by the community to do so, which we doubt will ever exist in SW Madison. Still, we need to be vigilant about our elected officials supporting the "No SW Madison Airport" position.
6) The case challenging Mayor Ockomon's eligibility to run and serve as Mayor of Anderson has been dismissed. However, Thursday we discovered that the five plaintiffs in the original case have filed yet again. According to The Herald Bulletin*:
1) Fishers has contacted Mayor Ockomon about the possibility of once again partnering with Anderson in an attempt to relocate their airport to our area. In Mayor Ockomon's words, "They've been relentless." Mr. Ockomon recently told the Anderson Airport Support Group (AASG) that he has "rebuffed them on every point." He went on to again declare the SW Madison Airport "dead". We've heard from several sources that some individuals and business people have also been "working on" Mayor Ockomon, to get him to change his position on the airport. We have no reason to believe they have had any success in having him back down from his promises.
2) Fishers officials have met with Lapel town officials in an attempt to get their backing for the proposed relocation airport. Lapel officials say they learned nothing new from the meeting. Lapel Town Council members say they "cannot imagine a situation in which we will change our position," though Fishers believes they can help the town annex property in an apparent exchange for Lapel's agreement to rezone it and allow an airport to go in. Again, we do not believe the Lapel town council would make any such agreement at this time.
3) Fishers has been approaching towns which adjoin these portions of Green Township, and has been investigating a partnership with them behind the scenes. To date, those towns have not made public statements which either support or oppose the airport. It might be important for people to call their town council members and make their views known, now that Fishers is pursuing them. If you believe your area might be annexed into either of these municipalities in the next few years, then your views are still important and should be heard by these officials who will end up representing you, because they may some day want your vote.
4) At least one of the current 3 county commissioners is not seeking re-election next November. If Fishers is turned down by Anderson and Lapel, we believe they will approach the County and try to get them on board. So it is crucial for us all to educate ourselves on the candidates and ask them where they stand on the airport issue.
5) If Fishers can obtain enough land options, the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) would have to at least look at and consider the possibility of relocating Metropolitan Airport into this portion of Green Township. The IAA continues to insist they are not in the business of closing airports and that it would take widespread support by the community to do so, which we doubt will ever exist in SW Madison. Still, we need to be vigilant about our elected officials supporting the "No SW Madison Airport" position.
6) The case challenging Mayor Ockomon's eligibility to run and serve as Mayor of Anderson has been dismissed. However, Thursday we discovered that the five plaintiffs in the original case have filed yet again. According to The Herald Bulletin*:
7) Fishers continues to pursue forced annexation of the Geist area, and this has taken much of their time, taxpayer money and legal attention. Indiana Senate Bill 114, which would have prevented their annexation attempt, was stalled in committee in the Indiana House after having narrowly passed in the Senate. This legislation is now dead, unless it is resurrected during the next legislative session. While Fishers money is being spent in large amounts for this purpose, it seems logical that there would be some reluctance on the part of their more fiscally responsible councilmembers to cast taxpayer money into the politically ensnarled airport situation in SW Madison County.
We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please reply to dont_fly_zone@hotmail.com
