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Mon, Jul 14, 2003

Meigs Destruction: Is It Security Or Aesthetics?

Chicago Can't Seem To Make Up Its Mind

What does Chicago and its mayor's administration say when you complain -- as AOPA and Friends of Meigs have asked -- about the wanton destruction of Meigs Field? Bill Leavens of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition found out. Rather than comment on the exchange, we'll just publish it and let you decide.

Richard M. Daley, Mayor
121 N. LaSalle, Room 507
Chicago, IL 60602


Sir:

Like the vast majority of the nation's 600,000 general aviation pilots I am disgusted by the cowardice and arrogance you have exhibited in destroying Meigs Airport.

In the name of "security" you have committed an act of abject vandalism against a publicly funded transportation facility that has ably served the good citizens of Chicago for half a century.  Additionally, your wanton destruction denies ready access to Chicago by tens of thousands of visitors who were able to enjoy the city and profit from that airport.

I sincerely hope that the Federal Government employs the same heavy handed tactics and condemns the airport property out of your dominion.  You do not deserve to manage a transportation resource that has generated millions of dollars of economic activity to the benefit of your subjects.

 

cc: Hon. Marion Blakey, Administrator, FAA


Leavens received this reply (click on image to enlarge letter):

Which prompted Leavens to fire this letter back to Chicago:

Mr. Cortez Trotter, Executive Director 
Office of Emergency Management and Communications
1411 West Madison St.
Chicago, Ill.  60607

 July 7, 2003

Dear Mr. Trotter:


I am in receipt of your response to my correspondence concerning Meigs Airport dated June 23 which arrived yesterday.  It leaves me incredulous.

It if difficult to understand your response in light of your Mayor's public admission that the airport closure had nothing to do with security, but everything to do with his personal desire to create yet another park.  As nice as they are, parks don't generate much in the way of economic activity.  Downtown airports most certainly do.  Economic activity is a good thing - part of any Mayor's mission would normally be to ensure that the wheels and wings of commerce have the facilities to function properly and to connect Chicago with the world.

You express concern that Meigs was only used by a "select few."  Those "few" included individuals who needed emergency air ambulance services as well as the 6,000 (six thousand) Chicago area youngsters that were treated to their first aviation experience courtesy of the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter.  You may know that the Airmen are African American pilots who flew in combat, escorting bombers over Germany during World War II.  Among their achievements is the fact that they did not lose one plane to enemy aircraft.

Meigs Field was the air ambulance destination for three Chicago Hospitals.  By closing the airport, your Mayor places lives at risk.  As Executive Director of Emergency Management for the city, would it not be good public policy to have a facility within walking distance of down town that can receive emergency services?  Perhaps I misunderstand your title and role.

Meigs Field was an important airport used by Chicago business people.  Business travelers must now use Midway or O'Hare airports.  Forcing smaller general aviation aircraft to crowd into the region's commercial air carrier airports is not safe or practical public policy.

The closing of Meigs is not in the interest of all Chicagoans. This is underscored by public polls which have expressed opposition to the unilateral action taken by your Mayor. The closing of Meigs Field was a result of a personal desire by the Mayor to do something that the law and public will would not permit him to do in the harsh light of day.

If I am one of the "select few" that the Mayor chooses to exclude, the 600,000 licensed pilots in the US will be happy to take our business elsewhere.  I know that I certainly won't be back.

Yours truly,

cc:  Chicago Sun Times
 Mayor Richard M. Daley

FMI: www.ohare.com, www.friendsofmeigs.org

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