Reset the Airport Debate

By SouthLA
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, June 20, 2009 10:49 AM CDT

I would like to reset the debate on this issue. I think that in large measure, the reason for the divide between the aviation community, and those who like me value the service we have in New Iberia from Gordon, is that the first, and for a long time, the only thing we saw on this issue came from Senator Hebert. No matter what you think of Senator Hebert, you have to agree that he has an abrasive and combative personality. Many of us simply can't rule out that he was acting purely out of spite over unrelated issues.

Had the Aviation community been out front, made reasoned and logical arguments backed up with EVIDENCE, we may have seen Troy's efforts in a different light. Still today, I have not seen any EVIDENCE that the landfill has affected the bird population any more than the seaplane strip, Spanish Lake, cane farming, or other things that ring the airport. Not to mention ARA co-habituating with the City GARBAGE dump for most of its history, and well within the 5 mile radius being asked for.

I am from the questioning generation. The OPINONS of the aviation cheerleaders mean no more to me than those of the guys on Gordon's trucks. In the absence of fact based evidence, I am unconvinced. Moreover, I like many do not see ARA as ever being anything much beyond what it is today.

Outside of Bristow, there is little aviation based stable employment , and without investment in infrastructure that is highly unlikely, it's development will remain unfulfilled potential. Even with such investment, there will be others competing for the same development.

In summary, I will reserve final judgment for a time and allow you in the aviation community to present fact based evidence. There have been enough opinions from all sides. In the absence of such facts, I am leaning in favor of the landfill. I think (though I am certainly not speaking for anyone but myself) that I am not unique in this.

Finally, I do choose to remain anonymous. Make of that what you will. There can be a cost involved with disagreeing with some folks, and I have no financial stake in this to offset that risk.

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Comments

To G wrote on Jun 30, 2009 7:31 AM:

" Not at the END of a frick'n runway!!!! "

G wrote on Jun 28, 2009 8:44 PM:

" You all want to talk aviation safety. Then why do none of you see that Waste Management, has open 25 yard dumpsters at the airport and surrounding businesses, or that when the farmers plow on airport grounds they attrack birds. It's not JUST GORDON's that creates a danger it is all that work at or near the airport with our trash we create. If they want to make a law it should apply to all. Farmers on the airport grounds too. Businesses, and homes in the radius should have covered dumpsters and a transfer shed like Gordon. Fair "

Deluxe Aviator wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:50 PM:

" Self-appointed:

You are needlessly mean. I expect you are not as mean in real life as you post.

Persons not abreast of day to day aircraft operations and problems are not condemned because they live on the ground and do not live in the air.

We need their votes, influence and compassion for aviation to survive.

This aviator apologizes to the non-flying public for the likes of Self Appointed. "

Self-appointed aviation expert wrote on Jun 23, 2009 4:56 PM:

" In MY opinion, all of these posters should go away to whatever they do for a living, such as answer a phone at an oilfield company, push a broom at the parts house, run their small business, etc. and let the people who know the most about birds at garbage dumps deal with Gordon Doerle.

I'll let you in on a little secret, no one cares what the rest of you think. However it is entertaining reading your potshots at each other. "

Red Baron wrote on Jun 22, 2009 5:10 PM:

" SouthLa:

Red Baron is not against you. Each aviator in America is outnumbered 500 to one. I hope I can influence you and 498 others bird strike potential on the end of runways anywhere is fundamentally faulty.

Yes there are birds around this airport. But the ultra risk comes from bird potential on the end of the runways.

Google FAA AC 150 5200-33b, and -34a to begin to become educated at the aircraft level.

Red Baron blames no one but extremely poor urban planning.

Red Baron needs all citizens friendly to aircraft cause. "

Southla wrote on Jun 22, 2009 11:46 AM:

" Deluxe Aviator I welcome your developments, reasoned arguments, facts, and actions. The preposterous drivel from some in this forum thus far have not furthered your cause in my circles. While I lean toward the landfill, my various posts on this subject have been intended as much to challenge those folks posting garbage (pun intended) as it has been to defend the landfill. While I am confident Southwest Airlines isn't coming to ARA, I readily admit I don't know it all. That is the difference between me and the self appointed experts herein. "

D. Hertz wrote on Jun 22, 2009 8:38 AM:

" to Southla:

News flash- you are not in charge of the debate. Your arrogance is unfailing.

You portray yourself as some sort of moderator of the issues YOU want to discuss. The only concern in this whole fiasco is aviation safety. The issues have been politicized because people who are ignorant of aviation safety issues want to somehow have a say. "

Southla wrote on Jun 22, 2009 7:17 AM:

" Oh, and Mr. Hertz, Gordon's is a trade name, and I do know Troy on a first name basis. That doesn't stop me from feeling that Troy is wrong in how he handled this Regardless of which side I end up on with regard to the propriety of the landfill. Finally, I think condescending is a better description of my attitude. I admit the drivel in these pages brings that out in me. "

Southla wrote on Jun 22, 2009 7:02 AM:

" Mr. Hertz, you as usual, missed the point entirely. I moved from solidly in Gordon's camp, to undecided based upon a few aviation folks at last speaking up. You have not cogently addressed a single point made, so it was time that they stood up. The only dog I have in this hunt is to oppose the type of ignorant arrogance that you and others display daily in these pages. Red Barron, I allow you to the opportunity to convince me to your cause. If you would prefer not to, so be it. "

D. Hertz wrote on Jun 21, 2009 11:17 PM:

" Thank God for Senator Troy Hebert. Someone needs to stand up to this out of control district attorney and this two-faced parish president. "

Deluxe Aviator wrote on Jun 21, 2009 5:26 PM:

" Tara, you and SouthLa, must be smoking out of the same peace pipe.

Stay tuned to the newspaper for new developments in a few days that will totally surprise you landfill lovers.

Hint-the aircraft interests are not to be under-estimated, in ability and resources. "

Tara Plantation wrote on Jun 21, 2009 2:41 PM:

" Give it up you people. The issue is dead. The Governor has spoken the landfill will grow and so will the airport , in spite of Troy and those ever suffering people who happen to live near the dump . "

Red Baron wrote on Jun 21, 2009 8:01 AM:

" SouthLa:

Lucky for the universe, you are not in charge of anything. However those of us with an aircraft interest are grateful the you "allow" us to walk on the face of "your" earth.

Bird risks around any airport are never as serious as those immediately off the end of the runways.

Your assumptions that non-aviators, such as Senator Hebert, cannot hold a legitimate aircraft safety compassion, certifies your limits of analysis.

We love our abrasive and combative Senator, whom can stand up to the likes of sweet and mellow, Haney and Freyou. "

D. Hertz wrote on Jun 20, 2009 3:00 PM:

" Your comments come across as arrogant and pompous. You will "allow you in the aviation community to present fact based evidence", etc.

You also are on a first name basis on with the two major players. If you don't have a financial interest in the outcome, you probably are close to someone with one.

Why don't you "lean" on the side of aviation safety and quit making uniformed choices? "

Sky King wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:26 PM:

" Troy realized late in the game that he needed more aircraft influence. Also his S.B. 317 suffered from insufficient aircraft industries input on deriving a more salable structure.

The Iberia urban planning option is to grow the landfill or grow the airport.

How, or if, our Parish makes and corrects urban planning will determine in large part if our airport can thrive and grow.

The approach end of any runway has the most risk, risks around the periphery of an airport does not justify high risks on the ends. "

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Reset the Airport Debate

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