Chamber backs airport

EDITOR:

The Board of Directors of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority supports a "Yes" vote on Douglas County Question 1, the airport use ordinance.

While increasing the allowable weight of aircraft to increase, the aircraft in the newly allowed category (50,000-75,000 pounds) represent only 5 percent of the airplanes in existence worldwide. It should be noted that the aircraft in that weight category produce less noise as a category of planes than those weighing less than 50,000 pounds.

We believe that the proposed ordinance strikes an effective balance among the many considerations influencing the future of the Minden-Tahoe Airport. Those include the need for enforceable rules regarding airport use, environmental protection, allowing for the airport to serve as a positive economic driver, protecting current jobs and making existing facilities attractive for companies who could provide new jobs, all while maintaining a level of use consistent with the small general aviation scope of the airport.

Finally, the ordinance provides for complete voter control over all significant future growth and provides the best method of insuring the continued financial participation of the Federal Aviation Administration, reducing the potential negative financial impact on Douglas County and its residents.

Cheri Glockner

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce President

Gardnerville