Airport commission resolution supports Reid-Hillview
By AOPA ePublishing staff
The San Jose Airport Commission has passed a resolution in support of keeping Reid-Hillview open and operating, but the airport isn’t safe yet.
The resolution, introduced by longtime aviation supporter Frank Sweeney, declares that Reid-Hillview “is an irreplaceable asset to the public transportation system” and urges the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors “to cease all efforts to close Reid-Hillview Airport.” The document also asks San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed to write to the board of supervisors, reiterating the city’s support of the airport and attempting to dissuade county officials from further attempts to close it.
The resolution, which passed the April 7 vote 5-0 with two commissioners absent, now goes to the San Jose City Council for consideration.
“The airport is still under threat, but this kind of unequivocal support from the airport commission is a good first step toward persuading Santa Clara County that closing the airport would do more harm than good,” said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of local airport advocacy. Dunn spent much of the past week in San Jose, meeting with local pilots, members of the board of supervisors, and airport management. He also plans to speak before the San Jose City Council when it considers the resolution.
Over the objections of the FAA, AOPA, and various local aviation groups, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has repeatedly considered closing the airport and redeveloping the property for nonaviation uses to offset the county’s budget problems.
April 10, 2008
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