News Archive
Airport 1, developer 0
In a stunning story of David versus Goliath, supporters of Southern California's Hawthorne Municipal Airport, lead by ASN volunteer Gary Parsons, have beaten a well-funded developer that's trying to close the airport. Tuesday, city voters overwhelming defeated a ballot initiative could have been used to justify closure. The ballot measure asked voters if the city should "pursue reuse of the property currently operated by the city as an airport to generate additional revenues, to improve education, police and other community services, to diversify the economic base, and to create jobs for the residents of the city?" The anti-airport measure was defeated by an overwhelming 70 percent.
"This is what happens when you truly are an airport advocate and are willing to get involved and engaged," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "This should send a strong message to elected officials: The people want the airport!"
Hawthorne city officials have been trying to close the airport for years. And they recently gave one developer "exclusive rights" to develop proposals for the property.
Proponents of closing the airport spent some $200,000 to convince voters to vote for "reusing" the airport. Hawthorne supporters had only $13,000. But the voters weren't fooled by the money.
The Hawthorne mayor had said that, "When the ballot initiative is passed, the people will have spoken."
The people have spoken, Mr. Mayor.
Meanwhile, Gary Parsons won election to the city council in that same election. Parsons is an AOPA Sharples Award winner for his years of tireless efforts to save Hawthorne Municipal Airport.
01-4-135x
November 8, 2001
