"Sikorsky Airport plans halted... for now"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Friday, June 8, 2007

Airport plans halted... for now 
By Tristram DeRoma
The Stratford (CT) Bard


In what was literally a last-ditch effort, Stratford's state representatives
banded together to stop Sikorsky Memorial Airport's plans to add a 300 feet
safety zone to one of its runways, a move that would have also required Main
Street to be rerouted.

However, the moratorium on the Connecticut Department of Transportation's
plan for the road, also known as state Rt. 113, is only temporary, said
Terry Backer, D-121. He said CDOT will again begin movement and hearings on
the issue April 15 of next year.
 
Backer said that setting the date was his and the other legislators' doing
as well, a move that will allow the united legislators to keep a close eye
on the proceedings, if and when they do resume.

"Obviously, we will be here again next year, and so they won't be able to
move anything without our knowledge or act with impunity," said Backer.

According to the airport's plan, the relocated road would have encroached on
the former Stratford Army Engine Plant, taking an acre of land from the 75
acre site some see as crucial to the site's eventual redevelopment.
According to earlier press reports, the plan was put together through a
conference call between Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi, Bridgeport
legislators, CONNDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration. A bill was
then created and put forth by Bridgeport State Rep. Robert T. Keeley. 

The move prompted a diplomatically-worded letter by Stratford Mayor James
Miron.

"As you know, we met on May 9, 2007, to discuss the City of Bridgeport
selling the Sikorsky Memorial Airport to the Town of Stratford," wrote
Miron. "At that meeting we agreed that our respective municipalities would
engage appraisers to represent each municipality and enter into serious,
objective, transparent, good faith and fact-based negotiations regarding the
Town of Stratford purchasing Sikorsky Memorial Airport from the City of
Bridgeport, since the Town of Stratford is interested in obtaining Sikorsky
Memorial Airport from the City of Bridgeport. I hope you will demonstrate
the City of Bridgeport.s good faith by (a) calling for an immediate public
dialogue, to include public hearings in the Town of Stratford, regarding
runway safety zones, and (b) continue to negotiate in good faith relative to
the sale of Sikorsky Memorial Airport to the Town of Stratford."

Backer said he would have liked to have squashed the plan altogether, but
that the last hour attempt, done on the last day the General Assembly was
meeting until the fall, would have squandered time needed to be spent on
other issues far more critical to Connecticut as well as Stratford
residents.

"We weren't willing to sacrifice what we felt were more important crises to
residents, such as the state's healthcare and electricity issues," said
Backer. He followed that by saying he wished Bridgeport's representatives
would have shown the same courtesy towards their own constituents.

"What ticks me off is Bridgeport is having so many problems with its
schools, a sewer treatment plant that's polluting the Long Island sound, and
here they are worrying over a 300 ft. piece of land in Stratford," he said.
"It seems to me like their priorities are a little mixed up." 

The airport's plan has long been a controversial one. Many residents believe
the plan for safety zones is actually part of a bigger plan to expand the
runways, which would lead to bigger and faster planes flying in an out of an
airport surrounded by a residential neighborhood.

However, Stratford resident Morgan Kaolian, a former manager of the airport
as well as a local aerial photographer, said the town is only hurting itself
by delaying the plan. He said that people who think the plan to add a safety
zone to the end of the runway is actually a camouflage for making way for
bigger and faster jets doesn't know what they're talking about.

"There's no logic in their argument," he said. "Those people would call the
airport's plan to replace a lightbulb in one of its offices expansion." 

He also said the airport has actually shrunk since World War II, and that
"people just don't know the airport's historic value, and how much of
aviation history as a result of the airport has taken place in the town's
own backyard."

State Sen. Dan Debicella, R-21 reminded residents in his column this month
that whatever the argument is, it should be done in the open.

"I have heard some people say this is just a first move towards expanding
the runway. Said Debicella. "I have heard others say that this is just a
prudent safety measure for the current users of the airport. Regardless, we
need to have this debate in public and have the town approve of any changes
before they take effect." 

However, Backer also said that there may not need to be a debate if a 1979
agreement between the airport and Stratford still has any legal value. 

"The ball is in the town's court now. I bought us some time to figure out
what we want to do. I suggest the time not be wasted,l" said Backer, saying
the town's attorneys "need to read the 1979 court ordered agreement between
Bridgeport and Stratford carefully and pursue legal action in court if any
of the provision have been broken."

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