Click to encourage the County Commission to make an informed decision on privatization and scheduled service at Briscoe Field!HASTINGS: A different view of the airport committee
Recently, Gaye McNeil voiced her thoughts about her involvement on the Airport Privatization Review Committee ("Airport committee deserved better," May 6, 10A). Had I not been a part of this process, I would be appalled at her experience. Luckily, I WAS part of the process; as a spectator, and most recently, as a member of the committee.
So I know "the rest of the story."
Committee looks at secondary airport study
Atlanta does not appear ready for a secondary airport, based on information given to a citizens review group looking into adding passenger service to Briscoe Field.
But the relevancy of the data was questioned, since a proposal would create a small destination at the Lawrenceville field.
"It's going to be, what kind of demand you have in the area?" task force member Mary Jane Kelley Pollizzoto said of the main point of her presentation, which included information from a recent Hartsfield study that ruled out the Gwinnett County Airport as a potential reliever. "I don't know how much traffic you are going to pull away from the original airport."
Airport study group to answer commissioner's questions
Commissioner Lynette Howard on Tuesday helped a citizens group tasked with evaluating the future of Gwinnett's Briscoe Field hone its work. In fact, she gave members' homework.
The task force, which temporarily disbanded last year, citing a lack of support and direction from the Board of Commissioners, was given a list of more than a dozen questions to answer as part of its work.
The questions range from the airport's role in the county's economy, its brand and how things will change under certain conditions.
Could commercial air service help Gwinnett? Yes
By Mike Royal
Skeptics of allowing scheduled service flights to Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field will argue why it can’t work in Gwinnett. I have heard many reasons:
There will be too much noise pollution. I don’t want 787 Dreamliners flying over my home. It is too big a risk for taxpayers and would cost too much to expand the airport. It is too densely populated around the airport, and it will reduce home values by 25 percent. There will be no economic benefit.
On the surface, some of these arguments sound reasonable. However, when the facts are considered, the opposition’s arguments just don’t fly.
2011 Georgia Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study
An economic impact study conducted by the Georgia Department of Transportation concludes that statewide, airports contribute almost $63 billion to Georgia's economy, including over 212,000 jobs. Briscoe Field contributes over $85 million to Gwinnett's economy, including 730 jobs.
The study looked at the economic benefits provided by on-airport businesses, including airlines, air traffic control and aircraft maintenance along with the benefit provided by capital improvement projects. It also looked at spending by airport visitors, and a multiplier effect created as additional businesses and jobs are created to support airport activities.
The Great Debate on Briscoe Field
On October 4th, WGST afternoon talk host Rusty Humphries interviewed Fly Gwinnett Forward's Mike Royal and an opponent of privatization following the Board of Commissioners decision to reissue requests for proposals for the airport's privatization, and the establishment of a citizen's committee to monitor the process.
Opposition Spins Airport Debate
Let's set the record straight regarding Gail McNeil's allegations. Gwinnett County staff received direction in a May vote of our elected commissioners, all with equal weighting. The directive was quite clear; move ahead with the RFP for possible commercialization of Briscoe Field. A follow-up action by staff was naturally expected. The inquiry by some of the commissioners into the delay of this action is appropriate. It should not be spun into fictional drama by supposition. A "contentious" debate was resolved by a 3-2 vote in favor of an RFP.
BOC Will Tackle Privatization Separately From Commercialization At Briscoe
Commissioners will likely tackle privatization of the Gwinnett County Airport separately from the commercial flights proposal that has stirred the community.
Board members gave a nod to the recommendation of consultants Tuesday to seek proposals from companies interested in managing Briscoe Field continuing its current general aviation offerings. The respondents will have an opportunity to discuss commercial flights as a long-term option in their proposals.
Gwinnett Commission Reaffirms Airport Vote
The debate over the fate of Briscoe Field turned ugly Tuesday night as Gwinnett County Commission members accused each other of backroom dealing and stalling tactics.
When it was over, commissioners voted 3-2 to direct a consultant to seek proposals from private firms interested in buying or selling the airport near Lawrenceville. No one seemed to walk away happy, least of all several dozen opponents of commercial flights at Briscoe Field who attended the meeting.
Airport Privatization Could Take Off
By Benita M. Dodd
For years, Georgia has been trying to site an airport to supplement Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest passenger airport in the world. Suggestions have been all over the map, from Dawsonville to Macon to Chattanooga. Now a plan to make a Gwinnett County airport a regional relief valve – by privatizing it – finally holds promise.
Fly Gwinnett Forward Urges Officials to Move on Privatization
Jimmy Norton with Fly Gwinnett Forward is asking Gwinnett officials to move forward with a proposal to privatize Briscoe Field and is citing an editorial by Benita M. Dodd, vice president of The Georgia Public Policy Foundation, in support of his request. In her editorial, Dodd concludes the recent Hartsfield Jackson study - that includes a 9,000-foot runaway - appears to be costly overkill.
