Field Struggles To Grow In Face Of Strong Opposition

To hear resident Jeff Tanner tell it, Roundtree Field in Hartselle (AL) is a "hole in the river," a waste of taxpayer resources. He, along with other Alabamans, wants the Decatur City Council to drop plans to build new hangars at the field. In fact, he and his group want the city-owned airport moved altogether.

"If you have hangars to store more planes, you're going to have more people flying in and out of the airport," Tanner said. "This means more noise."

But on the other side of the controversy is pilot Stoney Powell, who wants to put up about $600,000 of his own money to build the new hangars at Roundtree. The city would own the hangars, but Powell would lease the 15 structures for at least 30 years. That way, he figures to recoup his investment.

But Tanner's group wants the town to commission a study on moving the 40-year old strip. And it appears that some members of the city council are listening.

The lightning rod seems to be the deal between Powell and the city -- a deal some council members worry might give him a monopoly on hangar space at Roundtree.

"One of the questions I need answered is whether we can give someone a monopoly to lease hangars that will be city property," Councilman Richard "Dick" Carter said. "Can we allow someone to make money off property of the city? I'm not saying this is a bad idea. I just need these questions answered."

Right now, Roundtree has six hangars. Forty pilots are on a waiting list to park their aircraft under cover. Airport opponent Tanner, however, thinks that number is inflated.

"They may have a long list, but how many of these pilots are from Hartselle?" Tanner asked. "There are enough hangars to serve the people of Hartselle."

Powell's retort? "This airport is open to anyone, just like Sparkman Park is," he said. "Kids other than kids from Hartselle use the park. We can't discriminate against a pilot because he is not from Hartselle."

In the middle of the controversy is Steve Kimbril and other members of the local airport board. At this point, he's trying to keep the threat of an airport war at bay.

"There is ample opportunity for us to co-exist," Kimbril said. "There have been some complaints about noise, but we do everything we can to be good neighbors."

FMI: www.hartsellechamber.com