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Today's Poll!Cole Co. Commission OKs money for Columbia airport
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Cole County commissioners on Tuesday approved a $40,000 adjustment to Sheriff Greg White’s budget, raised water rates for Eugene customers and agreed to support passenger service at the Columbia Regional Airport.
By a 2-1 vote, commissioners decided to join other business and government entities by giving $100,000 to support the Regional Airport’s effort to attract a new airline to the area.
Presiding Commissioner Marc Ellinger and Western District Commissioner Chris Wrigley voted ....
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Comments
JCLifer 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Good deal!!!
Thanks for supporting OUR REGIONAL passenger airport, commissioners! Now, let's start weaning the old city airport off the local public support, since it serves mainly state government and a few rich private plane owners.
Timothy 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Have you thought of changing your tag to COLUMBIALifer ?
JCLifer 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Why on earth would you suggest that? What does my monicker have to do with any of your business?
Jefferson City Airport hasn't served me in years. I fly out of Columbia Regional all the time, because that is the nearest airport that offers flights for me. I support the REGIONAL airport with real passenger service, not the little state governor / private plane owner airport that doesn't benefit me in any way.
tonto_goldberg 7 months, 3 weeks ago
He's right on this one. The Columbia - Jefferson City Regional Airport offers scheduled commercial flights to major airline hub cities. Keeping a carrier in that airport is important if you want to travel without driving to St. Louis or Kansas City first. The Jefferson City airport is in a flood plain and it has limited expansion possibilities. It is not likely to attract commercial flights.
Timothy 7 months, 3 weeks ago
How will the majority of Cole County tax payers benefit from this donation? It is clear that elected officials have chosen to serve few with the money of many.
tonto_goldberg 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I know that a large number of Cole County tax payers have never left Cole County, and probably a majority have never left Missouri. Even so, one or two, or fifteen or twenty, Cole County taxpayers might have a new or better job if air travel increases in this region. It's how economic development works. You don't expect everyone to benefit from every project.
JCLifer 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Are you kidding? Anything that helps Cole Countians better connect with the rest of the world is a huge benefit! Having a great passenger airport just 20 minutes down the 4-lane highway is a huge blessing for Cole Countians. Opportunities for business and personal travel will be greatly enhanced than if we had no passenger airport nearby.
I would bet the numbers of Cole Countians using the REGIONAL airport is is well over a thousand a month. More flights and another airline will only provide more benefits.
melbrooks 7 months, 2 weeks ago
In my opinion, the Commission made a wise decision. Supporting regularly scheduled commercial air service a few minutes up the road is essential to our economic future. Jefferson City's airport does not have commercial air service, nor will it.
However, the local airport should continue to be supported as well. As a general aviation airport, it is very convenient and necessary for state government, local companies and other private entities. Just as taxes pay for the public roads used by private individuals and entities with private cars, so should taxes pay for general aviation airports. They're both transportation. (By the way, I do not own or lease any aircraft.)
I don't understand the bashing those who use the general aviation airport (and it is heavily used) as "rich". It smacks of class envy.
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