Plans To Alter Albert Whitted Airport Dropped

Jack Tunstill is ready to move on. After his group won an underdog victory by saving Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg (FL) last week, there was a moment to celebrate.

"There were 300 people here last night (Tuesday) celebrating, and there are 25,000 people in this city who said we want this airport. That's an important statement," Tunstill added.

Jack Tunstill, EAA member and treasurer of the Albert Whitted Political Action Committee and a spokesman for saving the airport, was elated with the results. The people of St. Petersburg voted to keep the airport an airport and not to turn it into a park or high-rise condo project.

 "We're feeling pretty good this morning," he said while standing outside Hangar 1 at SPG. "They (pro-park coalition) were all excited that they got on the ballot with 15,000 people who wanted to change St. Petersburg. Well, they only got 7,700 votes."

Next step is to spruce things up, Tunstill said. "We still have issues that need to be resolved, but we have to fix this place up first. There's stuff we can do around here."

He mentioned the very hangar he was standing by, which has a gaping hole in the sheet metal big enough to put his fist through, as but one example of the facility's disrepair.
"This is a jewel sitting here that hasn't been polished," Tunstill continued "We are going to make sure that this becomes the best airport in Florida. Now that's a grand statement, and it will take time and cooperation, but we overcame a huge hurdle last night."

Tunstill and others plan to approach the city council this week in an attempt to persuade the city to take immediate action on obtaining $300,000 worth of GA entitlement grants offered from the federal government.

The convincing victory was the result of a team effort, involving many people and organizations. Several EAA Chapters and other members worked with other airport groups and supporters to defeat the well-financed effort by developers, who last year asked that the airport be closed to develop condominiums on the property.

"There were 300 people here last night (Tuesday) celebrating, and there are 25,000 people in this city who said we want this airport. That's an important statement," Tunstill added.

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.eaa.org