Larry Evans
May 24, 2007
The editorial in the Herald
Tribune, May 22nd, concerning the “stakeholders,” selected by the
city for planning the future of the Venice Municipal Airport was a Bull’s
Eye! At first reading, it shows that
Venice city management is inbred with the Chamber of Commerce, and is oblivious
to the interest of the ordinary citizen.
But, your editorial actually
exposes part of an enormous iceberg of disdain the city shows to lots of its
citizens.
To illustrate, following the
Council-Airport workshop on May 17th, the mayor was quoted as
saying, “I just can’t see putting the city on hold because someone decides to
spend three months somewhere else.”
What the mayor said in effect was that part-time residents would not
influence what goes on here. Those
snowbirds can pay taxes (most of what the city takes in,) they can maybe even
vote (hopefully not as a block,) and they can volunteer and contribute all they
want. But, when it comes time to
deciding on a future course for the city, keep out.
Perhaps this attitude is
typical for resort communities. Then
too, Venice has the added feature of a large older population, whom are
ignored. And, to top it off, there are
the neighbors of the Municipal Airport.
The new Venice, “Cash Cow.”
Thus, we hear statements
from city hall such as, “We have nothing on paper yet,” or, “construction won’t
start for a year.” A favorite “Catch-22” is, “We haven’t made a decision yet,
so there is nothing to discuss.” For
the airport, the favored retort is the reflexive put-down, “The airport was
here first.” This apparently translates
as, “The airport and pilots can do anything they wish.”
Testimony from the Chamber
of Commerce Chair, last Thursday, that open space at the airport contains
nothing more then, “sand spurs and Brazilian peppers,” is another expression
intended to justify almost any mega-project.
These responses fly in the faces of snowbirds and senior citizens who
just happen to like many of the special qualities of Venice.
So, what’s the hurry? Lets’ hear from ALL the stakeholders.
Earl Quandt
Tax-paying voting senior
citizen airport neighbor snowbird!