Airport Anxiety
By Scott NeufeldWednesday, September 13, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_526.php
Vernon airport is closing today so that construction can be completed to extend the runaway, but one member of the airport's board of directors worries the project has been slipped in under the public radar.Bill Baker who was appointed to the board in mid-August, said he has seen no proposals for the future expansion of the airport. Without a business plan, he said any extension of the runway at this point is premature."Now I am on the board in a very awkward position," he said. "To my knowledge this hasn't been approved by the board . . . if this has been approved by the board, has it been approved by the community?"A meeting of the board of directors was scheduled for Thursday but was cancelled. 
Baker has asked for an emergency meeting today so that the board can address the issue of expansion. He said he doesn't know why the runway extension is being fast tracked."What is driving this process so hard that we refuse or are afraid to communicate to the community?" he said. Baker said his main concern is that citizens have not been given an adequate opportunity to give their opinions on the extension of the runway. With all of the development at that end of Okanagan Lake and the need for more parking and more beaches, Baker said a public hearing is needed before construction begins because the area is so vital to city's future."There is enormous compression on this end of the lake," he said. "This is the most precious area we have right now."Vernon mayor Wayne Lippert said that Baker's concerns are unfounded. He said the runway extension was approved by the previous council and has been part of the plan for some time."This one is following on more of the safety requirements for things like the air ambulance," he said. "I would suggest that probably (Baker) is a little out of line."The current construction will only be a small expansion to improve safety at the airport. He said a larger scale extension is still under discussion."The big one on there . . . that one's still in question," he said. "There still needs to be a lot of work done on it but there's a very good chance (the extension) will never happen." Lippert said that a business plan from the airport that was expected in June will be presented to council soon. Responding to the mayor's comments, Baker said bringing up safety can be used to push through any project. He said the safety issue is not so critical that the extension had to be done this week."I don't buy that; that's the old catch all," he said. "Clearly more (runway) is always better but is more at the expense of other things - is it truly just?"Baker said he considered resigning but felt that the public needed to be heard on the issue. He said as a public body the airport board needs to represent the interests of residents."We've got a responsibility, otherwise why have a board?"
Vernon airport is closing today so that construction can be completed to extend the runaway, but one member of the airport's board of directors worries the project has been slipped in under the public radar.Bill Baker who was appointed to the board in mid-August, said he has seen no proposals for the future expansion of the airport. Without a business plan, he said any extension of the runway at this point is premature."Now I am on the board in a very awkward position," he said. "To my knowledge this hasn't been approved by the board . . . if this has been approved by the board, has it been approved by the community?"A meeting of the board of directors was scheduled for Thursday but was cancelled. 
Baker has asked for an emergency meeting today so that the board can address the issue of expansion. He said he doesn't know why the runway extension is being fast tracked."What is driving this process so hard that we refuse or are afraid to communicate to the community?" he said. Baker said his main concern is that citizens have not been given an adequate opportunity to give their opinions on the extension of the runway. With all of the development at that end of Okanagan Lake and the need for more parking and more beaches, Baker said a public hearing is needed before construction begins because the area is so vital to city's future."There is enormous compression on this end of the lake," he said. "This is the most precious area we have right now."Vernon mayor Wayne Lippert said that Baker's concerns are unfounded. He said the runway extension was approved by the previous council and has been part of the plan for some time."This one is following on more of the safety requirements for things like the air ambulance," he said. "I would suggest that probably (Baker) is a little out of line."The current construction will only be a small expansion to improve safety at the airport. He said a larger scale extension is still under discussion."The big one on there . . . that one's still in question," he said. "There still needs to be a lot of work done on it but there's a very good chance (the extension) will never happen." Lippert said that a business plan from the airport that was expected in June will be presented to council soon. Responding to the mayor's comments, Baker said bringing up safety can be used to push through any project. He said the safety issue is not so critical that the extension had to be done this week."I don't buy that; that's the old catch all," he said. "Clearly more (runway) is always better but is more at the expense of other things - is it truly just?"Baker said he considered resigning but felt that the public needed to be heard on the issue. He said as a public body the airport board needs to represent the interests of residents."We've got a responsibility, otherwise why have a board?"
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