Competing Ballot Measures Before Voters November 4

The NBAA and AOPA have contributed at least $540,000 to help support a ballot initiative in Santa Monica, CA that would preserve Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO).

Overall, the Los Angeles Times reports that about $824,000 has been contributed to the Measure D campaign from aircraft owners, pilots, and businesses. Disclosure forms show that actor Harrison Ford, who keeps his airplane at KSMO, has given nearly $26,000 for the effort.

The initiative qualified to be on the November ballot after more than 15,000 signatures from registered voters were gathered. Measure D is competing for voter approval with Measure LC, a proposition placed on the ballot by the Santa Monica City Council that would limit the use of airport to parks, open space, and recreational facilities until another measure put before the voters would determine limits on development.

Voters are also being asked whether the council should be given authority to manage the airport, and perhaps eventually close it altogether.

The campaign for Measure LC has raised $118,400 as of the last reporting period, according to the paper. Most of those came in the form of donations under $1,000.

John Jerabek, a member of "Santa Monica Voters For Open and Honest Development Decisions" ... the group backing Measure D, says that their proposal will resolve one simple question: should Santa Monica voters be asked for their approval before politicians, developers and special interests can convert 227 acres of low-density airport land for their own purposes. "We think the clear answer is 'Yes'," Jerabek said in a news release when the measure was certified for the ballot. "Voters have a right to decide a land use issue that would fundamentally impact the character of Santa Monica."

Measure LC supporters say that the land belongs to the city, and the city should have control of the airport property. They say that Measure D is a "cynical attempt" to fool voters into giving up access to the airport land.

(Image from file)

FMI: Measure D   Measure LC