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| You sure you know how to fly this damn thing Galligan ??? Shut up Fifer ...Enjoy the Ride.. |
Airport leaders would try and make you think that the C.C. airport is needed for economic growth. That argument just doesn't hold water...as this area with the Bridges project, River Ridge and the Riverport is growing by leaps and bounds without the airport even in the equation. We already have two nearby airports Standiford and Bowman fields that are more than adequate to handle flights in and out of this area, a third big airport is a stretch
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| Zoom Zoom ...If we had some of that Jeffersonville money Matt we could play airplanes |
It probably won't make any difference of taxpayer's concerns . More than likely the political pandering will result in some local municipality ponying up the needed money... most likely Jeffersonville they have in the past shown little concern on how money should be well spent...
So the millionaires will have a nice place to land their Lear jets come Derby time, while we peasants fight the every day grind of traffic in our automobiles in the outdated and decaying traffic infrastructure ...Maybe 15 -20 years down the road C.C. airport expansion would be feasible , but not now. Let's take care of the people who pay for these things .... the forgotten taxpayer...Let's not finance millionaires and hobbyists and their high priced toys,,,
BTW I here tell the airport is ready to accept donations from folks, like Whirlaway (registered in the state of Delaware), owned by locals Pfau and Zoeller. Perhaps another Clark County son, The Papa, may be cajoled into donating also. Time to sweet talk Tom.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha. Tom sweet talking. That will be the day. He was supposed to be sweet talking local governments besides the county. He skipped that and went straight back to Clark County instead and is already complaining they didn't jump high and fast enough.
ReplyDeleteLook out everyone hold on to your wallets Fat Tom and Skinny Barney Fifer are after more dollars from Clark Co. You know who is going to pay.
ReplyDeleteWell said HT!
ReplyDeleteI differ on this subject. The airport is a draw to top companies wanting to settle here. We spend millions on libraries, parks, roads that we all don't use. The airport needs $750,000 to get 10 million. Not a bad deal in my book. The airport creates $10,000 in excise tax per year on planes the stay in Clark County. There is not a way at this time for the airport to get that back. They are responsible for making sure those planes pay that tax.
ReplyDeleteFor those who think the expenditure of 3 million on our riverfront, or 3+million at the soccer complex was a good thing, the reason for spending is supposedly to give better quality of life. How many will ever use the boat docks, or the soccer field, or other things considered a nice thing to have. The airport produces revenue, hidden and in front of your nose.
Many pilots started their training at Clark County. Many who have found jobs with UPS and other high paying jobs live in our community, and spend their money here.
Another good debate by HT. Thanks for your time, kv
If they get Tom out of the mix, the airport might have a chance.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Kevin. This is just another part in helping the community continue to grow. Nice to see my tax dollars going to something productive as opposed just lying around.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with the improvements at the airport over time. There are more pressing needs NOW, like improving the traffic infrastructure in a lot of different areas. Let's take care of what we have and what is needed by ALL residents. And once again having Galligan as the face of the airport is a bad move...
ReplyDeleteBecause you have let petty things lead to a never ending grudge against Galligan and you won't be happy until he has nothing left. Get over it and just base your stories on the actual project. Nobody cares about your little, petty grudge against Galligan.
ReplyDeleteAnd you didn't seem to upset when money was invested in to docks.
Tom has actually done some great things at the airport. He along with the board had the courage to hire a engineer from Indy with airport experience instead of JTL. Also rearranged how grass and snow mowing and clearing are done that saved the airport money.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lawsuit over fuel flow and landing fees by the 2 fbo operators. If it works out, we will purchase ASI, and make money off ASI by leasing to them. Starting at $40,000 per year profit. These decisions are helping move the airport to profibility.
Gas tax money cannot be spent at the airport. So HT, the improvements on infrastructure and what goes on at the airport are different.
ReplyDeleteDon't have a grudge with Galligan he's just a buffoon his no way but my way attitude has wasted untold tax dollars in the past, and the public knows it....
ReplyDeleteThe airport should be self sufficient, tax money shouldn't fund private business.
ReplyDeleteWe are not funding private business. We are funding the Clark County Airport. The taxpayers own the Airport. Its like providing a County Hospital for doctors. Doctors pay taxes in our community. So do airplane owners.
ReplyDeleteClark County Airport is doing its best to not needing help. The original leadership provided sweet heart deals there that have been tough to overcome with long contracts. Slowly but surely, we are getting self sufficient.
The county sold the hospital and the debt that went along with it. They should sell the airport also before it becomes more of a money drain.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much of a "money drain" the airport has been Anon. Maybe Kevin can fill us in on the financial numbers associated with it...Did the Clark Co. or the Airport Authority borrow money for the land acquisition for the expansion ???
ReplyDeleteCome on people over 500 views already on this thread. Surely more people have an opinion on this...I'm curious, my thoughts are how I feel and people around town I've talked to. I'm want to hear more from you...
ReplyDeleteI'm fine with us investing in the airport. Keeps us from being at a disadvantage. Giving the people with money to invest better access to the county can only help.
ReplyDeleteMr. Vissing mentions Millions for riverfront and soccer, Look at the roads in Jeff, they suck! Pay to pick up trash also. These things need addressed and are valid uses of taxpayer money, not soccer and a fisherman's wharf. Who fishes there anyway?
ReplyDeleteI hear tell that the 2016, $3M Grant for this year will be a 4% INDOT match not 2.5% as noted in the paper. SCRAA would have to come up with 6% or $180,000. The balance... $70,000 .....would be for operations.
OK, I'll bite. How many owners who keep their planes at Clark County Airport also live in and pay property taxes in Clark County? How many of them have business headquarters with their highest paid executive and management staff based in Clark County?
ReplyDeleteNot talking about pizza shop managers or "remote" execs.
I'm sure all aircraft owners don't live in Clark County. But as we improve our airport, many who keep their aircraft at Bowman, Madison, will move their aircraft here.
DeleteIt's $750.000 for $10 million match over 3 years. At 7% state sales taxes on $10 million, the taxpayers get back almost all of the matching money, plus obvious money spent in our communities by paving and concrete and excavation companies. Its a win win!
ReplyDeleteThe roads are paid for with gas taxes. The airport has nothing to do with that. We can't even have the county help with snow removal with county equipment, because road and gas taxes pay for county road expenses.
The roads and traffic infrastructure was just an example of things needed, I realize they are paid with other monies (gas taxes). My contention is on a list of priorities for average "Joe Taxpayer" airport expansion is probably at the bottom of their list especially here in Clark Co.
ReplyDeleteNothing against you Kevin, I respect your opinion, but I and a lot of others feel this is a special interest project that may be feasible in the future but not at this time. On the other hand I think probably Jeffersonville and possibly some other municipalities will pony up the money to make this possible...Taxpayers input usually doesn't carry much weight on these type of projects.
I am glad the County council does have control over the budgetary which I understand is the case. This is a pretty good council and while I may disagree with them time to time I support any decision they may make in regards to the airport...
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKevin's explanation (750,000 for 10 million match) makes this sound like a reasonable expenditure. If only Clark County wasn't strapped for cash. But with this $10million coming from the state maybe some of that could be used.
ReplyDeleteKevin, you are also a pilot, right?
ReplyDeleteCouldn't some see your lobbying on behalf of the airport (as Galligan & Fifer's voice to the public) as a conflict of interest?
What bothers me are the comments that say, "we will get money from the municipalities.... or we will get money from the state.... or the county will kick in funds.... etc. etc. Doesn't anyone realize that this is the TAXPAYER'S money -- it is ALL our tax dollars regardless if it comes from the city, the county or the state. But the politicians all act like it is "their" money or "their" revenue. It is NOT revenue ---- the city/county/state are NOT selling anything --- they DON"T have revenue. It is ALL our tax dollars. It is time for the waste and special interests to stop. But those elected are out for themselves and to heck with what the taxpayers have to say. If they need more money for their projects, they will just raise our taxes.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to raise taxes with the cap system in place. The most one can pay is 1% of assessed value of their residential property. The DLGF (Department local government finance) dictates local tax rates.
DeleteMr. Vissing
ReplyDeletecomprehends the importance
of the airport to Clark County's economy.
Driving is a Conflict?
If "lobbying" for local matching funds
by Mr. Vissing is a silly "conflict" because
he happens to be a pilot, then anyone WHO DRIVES
who wants to spend money on the streets is "lobbying
on behalf of the roads" and that is also a conflict...
Lobbying on behalf of infrastructure that greatly benefits us is good.
The local airport is important
and it will be
of even greater importance
going forward as Clark County experiences tremendous growth.
The extra $10,000,000 in funds
for the vital airport expansion is from tax money
that we have already paid to the federal government.
The match is a good investment.
If the airport is only costing on a yearly basis $240,000,
it is an exceptional value.
The additional matches for vital expansion are a great deal.
Greg Fifer
ReplyDeleteis a Republican
and a VERY, VERY capable lawyer.
Tom Galligan
is a Democrat
who is appointed by Republicans
who control the air board.
People disagree with Tom Galligan's politics,
however, he a very accomplished and capable person
who knows how to work hard and to get things done.
The reason
that he is on the air board
and is kept there by Republicans is that
he is doing an excellent job.
Face it.
This is a case
where petty politics
and personal dislikes is NOT
being allowed to interfere with the proper execution of policy.
That policy by the county commissioners
is working very well for the benefit of Clark County.
The initial benefit to Clark County
with the improvement
of the landing runways, etc,.
will be over a combined amount of #20,000,000
of our federal tax money returned to Clark County.
The economic multiplier will be then be very significant for a long time.
The three member Clark County Commission,
composed of Mr. Stephenson, Mr.Coffman, and Mr. Glover
is ALL Republican now.
They have a hard working guy
doing a great job for us at the airport
on the air board who happens to be a Democrat.
They commissioners have chosen to rise above petty politics.
The attorney is very smart.
The commissioners are acting exceptionally well.
Let's not mess this up.
While I do hold a private pilot certificate, I haven't flown out of Clark County in 4 years. I've lost my medical, and unable to fly while taking some medication I'm on. So.....I don't see any conflict, other than I realize the potential of our airport with an experienced background in flying.
ReplyDeleteThe policy required to get Councilwoman Kelly Khuri's approval - that the county council holds the purse strings - does seem to be working so far as we don't have a new airport tax or what little money the county has to operate on diverted to the airport.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelly Khuri for looking out for the taxpayers of Clark County!
I pray for your continued success and that the rest of the council will follow your very wise leadership.
Anonymous, Yes getting money from the state is taxpayer money. If we don't use it, some other organization will.
ReplyDeleteThe council voted unanimously on keeping control of the airport.
ReplyDeleteFact or fiction? The airport hired a manager. He ends up on workman's comp after a few short weeks of employment.
ReplyDeleteHe is a pilot for UPS, I believe. I doubt the airport had to foot the bill.
ReplyDeleteI asked John Secor about that and says he has not received workman comp. So that is a myth.
ReplyDeleteSuch is life in Clark County. People always worried about someone is getting one over on them, to the point of paranoia.
ReplyDelete