This appeared as an editorial from Dr. Dick in the Page News. It is reprinted here so you can comment on it.
The Board of Supervisors, the Old School Building and the Airport—–
At the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting on February 05, 2008, a proposed “Resolution for Borrowing from VPSA” was put forth. This means the County is entering the financial market to borrow funds for the two schools being constructed in the County. The sum in question is $14 million dollars, with more to come later.
The $14 million will cover a number of items, but the Citizens of Page County will repay the debt, presently and in the future. Remember the 39% tax increase that is now part of our lives. But I digress. Supervisor Hoke suggested that the resolution include language that would grant a clear title to the County for the Old School Building in exchange for the $14 million bond resolution. Mr. Hoke sees the Old School Building as a County albatross (my word) and it needs to be addressed sooner not later. Hooray for Mr. Hoke!
The BOS Chairman held that when the County abandons the building, the School Board could seek a business interested in using the building as a “commercial enterprise”. The County could offer the business tax incentives to take over the structure and rehabilitate it, that is, make it structurally safe and habitable.
The cost of rehabilitating a building constructed in the early 1900’s must be a heavy burden to any business. Just ask those who took over the Minnslyn what it cost to rehabilitate that structure. The Old School Building is about to fall onto the laps of those who work there. Just ask the Commissioner of the Revenue. He can tell anyone an interesting story as to how the ceiling almost fell upon him and how the roof leaks during rains.
Besides the structural problems associated with the building and the need for a roof, there is a major asbestos problem. The building is filled with it, and to get rid of the asbestos is a serious undertaking, which will be an issue at any rate. But one must wonder what business, in the present economy, will be flush with capital and be willing to pour money into a century old building which has been determined unfit for use many times.
By the way, when the votes were cast, Messrs. Hoke, Sours, and Cave voted for the modification to the resolution and Ms. Strickler, Messrs. Cubbage and LaFrance voted against. Since there was a tie, the Chairman, in a commanding voice announced the modification would not be included in the resolution. The resolution will be put to vote on the March agenda.
If you agree with Mr. Hoke and feel that the Old School Building title be included in the $14 million bond resolution, you are encouraged to contact your Supervisor and let he or she know your preference. The Citizens of Page County DO have a say in the decisions of the County government. Let your respective Supervisor know your feelings so they are able to express their constituents’ desires. Elections do have a tendency to change the composition of Boards. It has happened before, it could happen again.
Also at the same meeting, the gathering found that things are moving along with the Hangar Project at the Luray Airport. There was an announcement in the Daily News-Record the same day. Interesting. Is this the way the BOS keeps the airport “under the radar”, announcing the construction in the Harrisonburg newspaper. If the BOS was going to make such an announcement, one may question why was it not announced in the Page News and Courier? This is a strange way to communicate with the Citizens of Page County.
This is going to be an interesting time for the Citizens of Page County. We are now looking at another tax burden. If not now, think future. The Airport Manager is quoted as saying “That capacity to handle [30 more aircraft] is here now.” Really? Does the airport have the proper Airframe and Power Plant mechanics to handle the various types of aircraft that may hangar at the airport? Does the airport have the proper type avgas and not just 100LL? And, is there instrumentation in place to handle meteorological takeoffs and landings? These are important considerations for an aircraft owner, pilot or operator in considering where to hangar their aircraft be it a Piper Cub, King Air or biz jet.
If the hangar rental revenue is insufficient to pay the $1.5 million debt, who pays? One need not go far. It is the Citizens of Page County. Let us hope that this “…little economic engine” is turbo charged, its “wings are kept flat and level” and the charted course is planned and not “by the seat of the pants.”
February 14, 2008 at 8:00 am
Dr. Dick,
You know of course that editorials, opinions-a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by postitive knowledge or proof, and assumption’ something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof; a supposition:
February 14, 2008 at 10:27 am
Dr. Dick,
You know of course that…..
Editoral-of or relation to an editor or editing.
Opinion- a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.
Assumption-something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof; a supposition.
Are nearly all the same. Like you pointed out on befuddlement words can have different meanings so I’m choosing to use vernacular {the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordionary people} common to page county. Are you writing for the newspaper or stating your opinion or making an assumption?
I realize that from the tone of your retoric you accept what you are saying as more than likely true but I have to ask …
Just how much reasearch did you do on your editorial? If in fact it was an editorial and not an opinion or assumption.
Do you have any substantial proof of your allegations? About asbestos in the old school house you know of course asbestos in a naturally occuring substance occuring in the earth in many places.
When we humans learned about its fire proofing abilities and had no fire trucks or modern fire fighting equiptment it was decided to use it in industry, ships, schools, hoapitals, government buildings, homes, automobile manufacturing {it was used in break shoes until smetime in the early 60’s so think of all the break dust along the highway during the 40’s and 50’s when autos became the thing} to retard flames.
Then we discovered the connection between lung problems like cancer or mesothelioma so being smart people we began to stop using asbestos and began to remove the sltuff. So now we abate asbestos.
To my knowlewdge the asbestos problems in the old building are small {maybe miminal}.
Is it possible some of your assumptions are incorrect? About the structure and cost for a commercial enterprise to renovate the old school. Or..
For instance is it really fair the the citizens who voted to build two schools to hold up money for construction for a {blackmail} solution/resolution to the deed on the old graded school house?
No matter what Charlie Hoke thinks about the albatross and the title or deed, the facts remains in question about the business located behind the building. Facts like did the town own the land or did an old board give part of the land away? Was all of that legal? Or was it just a sweeetheart deal that was never questioned? If in fact the land was transfered illegally according to the deed who gets recompensation for the mistake and who pays the present owner for future income lost? All kinds of questions like these must be addressed before any change takes place in the resolution of the deed. So I can only see wisdom in Tom la France’s decision.
He, Gerald Cubbage and Carol Lee Strickler all know that in the last election for chairman {the only chairmans election} 49.2% nearly half the county wants 2 school, more than that 80% of the total electorate want new schools so in my opinion there is no logical reason to hold up construction money. The deed can be resolved when it is returned to the school board.
I still think my idea about a park solves the intire problem of the building and that relocation to the flood plain 9 saves the taxpayer money in the long run for a new county office building. Bear in mind we have spent a tremendous of money on law suits, litigation and settlements over recent years that is taxpayer money also.
It sounds like you know something about flying if you do you know how hard it is to get a flight out of luray to anywhere. You just about have to know someont or own a plane to fly out but wouldn’t it be nicer to have a commuter airline connection to the shenandoah valley airport so we could get a connection out of Luray and the valley and return home with out going to Dulles with a ride or spending the night befor a flight just to get out and have a place to park your car. That senario will never happen if we cease expansion at the airport! It’s almost like cell phones nobody wants to see the towers every one wants a cell phone what a catch 22.
Please over look the other comment I made and realize it was sent by mistake everyone makes them.
All of you out there reading this blog keep getting involved, these issues are costly and are going to be paid for by us as landowners. No matter who you believe, trust that you alone [by yourself] can make a change in your life {and all of our lives] here in the county. Vote, come to the meetings, express yourselves, get involved, make things happen for the positive.
February 15, 2008 at 10:08 am
….oh, by all means, lets take away the land and homes of our citizens so 20 people won’t have the inconvenience of traveling by car to Dulles, the hassle of finding a parking space, and…horrors of it all…..spending the night in a strange place.
Yep, expansion is the only way to go. If we’re to have an Emerald City, we may as well have the airport to go with it.
February 15, 2008 at 11:50 am
Lee – Thank you. I appreciate the fact that you have taken time to read my editorials, and have commented.
February 15, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Obx, I still haven’t figured out why somebody who owns an airplane would want to keep it in a hangar in Page County, if they don’t live in Page County. So 30 new hangars. I just find it hard to believe there are 30 more people who have planes and live in Page. If they don’t live in Page . . . why would they drive here to use their airplanes?
It’s all too much for my muddled brain to follow.
February 15, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Alice, it is because it is going to be much cheaper to house the planes here. Please post the cost of the Luray Hanger vs. the No Virginia hanger. There are 15 or so planes sitting in the weather at the airport now. If the commission says they have deposits for the majority of the hangers, I believe them. As far as everything being too much for your muddled brain to follow, that is up to you.
There are better battles to fight.
February 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm
….just where, exactly, is this new construction that is going on, (as we speak), on these much needed hangars. The only thing I have seen lately is the erection of a 3 1/2 – 4 ‘ electric fence. But, if the commission chooses to believe that this will keep the deer off the runway, I guess we had better believe them. And if the commission truly thinks this airport is going to be an economic boon to Page Co., I guess sooner or later we will all be brainwashed enough to believe that also.
February 16, 2008 at 6:09 pm
In reference to the question concerning the cost of Hangars at Luray vs. Northern Virginia, I would like to jump into the mix and give the benefits of my research on the subject to those interested.
The current tie-down rates for Luray are: grass $20.00/mo. and hard surface $40.00/mo. When T-Hangars are constructed and ready for occupancy at the Luray Airport they will rent at $260.00 per month. There is not a facility on the airfield that can handle mechanical problems; there is an AP Mechanic who provides “mechanical” services on the weekend. He is also the Airport Manager. Presently there is a part-time employee working on his AP License.
I contacted Charlottesville, Culpeper, Front Royal, and Fredericksburg Airport Fixed Base Operators (FBO) and found rates ranging from $66.00/night to $225.00/mo for a hangar. All airports contacted have full service on the airfield. Full service includes certified mechanics that handle mechanical issues for single engine aircraft to biz jets, and this includes fuel for such aircraft.
Charlottesville did not have any openings and did not offer yearly rentals of hangars or tarmac. However, if one wanted to use Charlottesville as a base of operations, the Airport Manager would entertain negotiations. With the exception of Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, all airports had a waiting list, one three months, while another had a waiting list of 100 prospective renters.
The other airports that were on the list of contacts were Manassas, Leesburg, New Market, and Shenandoah Valley. The reason that they were not considered as a contact was that the person who could provide the fee structure was not available and would not be available until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Each of the airports mentioned above has flight services on the airfield provided by the FBO or by an aircraft company engaged in aircraft maintenance. At several of the airports there are flight operations ranging from flight training to ballooning and ultra light operations conducted at the airfield.
New questions enter the picture, and they are: Are those who have stepped forward and made a “commitment” doing it for the long term or short term until space becomes available at an airfield which offers a full complement of service? If they are here on a short-term basis, has this been built into the revenue projections needed to service the debt that is being created by the new hangars?
Or, “are there better battles to fight”?
February 17, 2008 at 6:30 am
Hanger economics nothwithstanding, I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing and hearing biz jets flying low over this narrow valley. Most likely they will navigate their way to the airport down the South Fork. That will certainly improve the county’s rural character and protect its fragile environmental elements. I’m pretty sure the stuff in the residue of burnt jet fuel will bring nothing but good things as it falls to the valley floor. Hey, it might even help the watershed and subterrainean water supply. What’s a few more dead fish?
I’m also pretty sure tourists will enjoy the whine of jet engines as they fish, hunt, camp, hike or canoe in the county. County residents can enjoy the fun as well as they sit on their front porches or in their backyards enhaling the fumes of jet exhaust. It has to be better than the smell of honeysuckle.
By all means Mr. Tourist, come to Page County and enjoy its rural character, its environmental gifts and recreational activities, just don’t go near the water. At least, don’t drink the water. Oh yeah, Mr. Tourist, make sure you bring your sunblock with PF 2000 special hazmat protection as well. Can’t be too careful!
February 17, 2008 at 8:26 am
The question seems to be the option of storing your plane in the dry vs. out in the weather.
How does any of this affect the subterrainean water supply, honeysuckle, sunblock, or special hazmat protection?
February 17, 2008 at 8:54 am
It is such a joy to see the blog carrying on its discussion in that special blog way again.
As I see the issue here, we have a Board that in the past has behaved in mystifying ways, pushing a personal agenda for which I can not name names (yet, but when the next election comes, I’ll be sure to), and caring not one whit about the welfare of the taxpayers of this county.
These behaviors have been masked on the one hand as “preserving the rural nature of the county” and when they don’t fit that, they are presented as “attracting business.” These are not the normal tensions of two conflicting goals. What they were in the past was quite simply, personal agendas, personal preferences, and bad judgement.
Our two new Board members may make a difference, but they have to recognize that a lot of these messes are well in progress. The incremental decisions that come before the board now, when they are not presented with objective supporting information, can easily appear like there is only one rational path, no way out, no good choice. Additionally, the two new members have to recognize that they need to do what Chairman LaFrance does. Call each person ahead of time and discuss the vote, one on one. Otherwise, the votes will continue to be pre-determined when they walk into the room. Discussion in the room is superficial, and words from the public hearing are ignored, because the vote was pre-established, based on incomplete and biased information. I certainly hesitate to say misleading information, but I must make it clear that the information appears misleading and possibly even deceptive to my eyes, Mark.
Oh, did I say that out loud? Excuse me, the previous discussion was just my personal opinion. I have been holding back on my personal opinion for a year now, and perhaps that’s the reason I have a coughing fit every time I walk into the public board meetings. It must be the strain of choking on the words I meant to say.
Perhaps I can fix that cough by being more clear in what I mean in the future.
Hey, don’t hold back on posting now. As you can see, it is still entirely possible to be anonymous to the people who read the board.
February 18, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Don, you can not see the relationship between there being more planes and the impact they will cause? To you the issue is just wet and dry planes? I would suggest that you look a little deeper than that, keeping your emotions in check, and you might see more.
February 18, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Doomsday scenarios do not factor into my opinions.
February 19, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hey Rick, don’t waste your time. You’re dealing with a proponent of the county line. Donny Boy will never get it. If you haven’t noticed, most of Donny Boy’s comments don’t offer much other than self-righteous pablum without substance. There is no way to tell what factors might enter into Donny Boy’s opinions but there’s a distinct aroma of the arrogant, elitist views from the Rotary, the mansion on the hill and the veranda of the country club. I feel kind of sorry for Donny Boy. He just doesn’t seem to grasp that the average Joes in this county are in deep stuff thanks to the hideous financial decisions made by the BoS over the last couple of years. So when Donny Boy makes his cryptic, one-dimensional comments, just remember he is peeing down his own leg. It feels hot to him but no one else really cares.
February 19, 2008 at 10:30 am
The issue is not whether planes are tied down in a “field” or placed in a hangar and protected from the elements. Anyone who owns an airplane has a financial interest in the investment, and a hangar is investment protection. I will grant you that. How many planes do residents of Page County own? Is there a substantial number? I drove by the airport today and there were 8 airplanes tied down on the tarmac, 3 in the grass. Is that a sufficient number to justify building 30 “T-hangars”? I doubt it.
We, the Citizens, have been told that there are 20 aircraft owners who have made a deposit to be put on a waiting list. That is great. Has anyone gone back to the prospective renters and validated the fact that there is still interest, or is there an assumption that if you build they will fly in and occupy your T-Hangars?
Don, this is not a “Doomsday Scenario”. The reality of the matter is the fact that tax dollars are being spent so a few can benefit – VERY few. Those “flyers” flying to the Luray Caverns Airport will enter the airspace under Visual Flight Rules (VFR – blue sky) and not conditions that require Instrument Flight Rules (IFR – cloud cover). Under the latter they will go to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport where there is instrumentation that will permit landings under less than VFR conditions.
And, please do not bring in the argument that commuter aircraft will come into our airport. That will not happen. At the moment, United Airlines is flying commuter service from Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. Prior to United, US Air provided commuter service to Pittsburgh and Dulles. US Air left because there were insufficient passengers to support their flights. In the case of United, it is a matter of time.
Factoring in to your opinions, if you live in Page County, is another tax burden that the hangars may bring to the citizens of this County. That is, if the hangars are not the “little economic engine”, as the Airport Manager calls them, and do not have sufficient power to race down the runway and fly, what then? Who will pay the debt service? Whinny the Pooh? Absolutely not. The Citizens of Page County. That is what the voice of the citizens are saying, Don. Why would the elected officials not take these things into consideration? I will let you answer that question.
February 19, 2008 at 11:26 am
I’m still overwhelmed by the concept that people who don’t live in Page County, but do own an airplane, are going to DRIVE to Page County to get on their airplane, which is parked here. Why would somebody drive to a place that is an hour from anywhere, in order to use their airplane? Don’t you have a plane so you can prevent driving? It just sounds like flawed thinking. I fear that it will result in the citizens of Page, who are not even middle class people, let alone rich people with airplanes, subsidizing the 15 people who own planes, through tax dollars.
It has no promise of helping the county. You can’t attract business with an airport when the roads aren’t good enough for truck traffic.
February 19, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Alice,
You are totally correct in your concept and everyone knows it, but won’t admit it. The fact is and it has been admitted, (Daily News Record, Feb. 5, 2008),……”without more hangars, we’d never increase our base aircraft. And, with that, we wouldn’t get runway improvements.” By runway improvements, I am assuming they meant expansion. Does that mean that one of the stipulations for a the grant to expand the runway, was that the airport had to have more hangars??
February 19, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Hi Chris L.
After one of my first posts on this blog, Don who doesn’t know me, advised me that I sounded like a “prick” and that the 9 acres were worth $60,000.00 per acre. It wasn’t hard to see that there was an opinionated and narrow person behind that post. When he made his remark that what was at stake was, wet or dry airplanes, I was given further indication of the depth of the intellectual thinking. Now with your help, I know that he represents the “party line”. Thanks for the info.
Rick
February 20, 2008 at 10:55 am
Chris L.,
I will not say I totally disagree with your message about Mr. Mattingly but are you not being a little hard on him. After all, have we not all left a few puddles around on this blog.