About time there are repercussions for Daley's bogus demolition of a general aviation airport that posed no threat. He wanted his lakefront park and used 9/11 as an excuse to get it. Then he illegally diverted federal funds and passenger taxes from O'Hare to pay for it.
AOPA article
Chicago Tribune story (registration required-- www.bugmenot.com)
beginning of article:
FAA probe of Meigs Field closing irks Daley
By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 3, 2004
Mayor Richard Daley on Saturday delivered an impassioned defense of his decision to shut down Meigs Field, refuting Federal Aviation Administration claims that the city violated federal rules and perhaps misused federal funds in the process.
"We know we acted properly and legally when we closed Meigs Field last year," Daley said at an unrelated event on the South Side with the city's lawyer on the issue at his side.
Citing safety concerns in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and subsequent revelations of Al Qaeda terrorists' flight training at small airports, he said, "I don't think small planes should be flying whatsoever in the metropolitan area, especially in the city of Chicago."
His comments came a day after the FAA proposed a $33,000 fine against the city for not giving 30 days notice of its intent to demolish Meigs.
Michael Schneiderman, the city's attorney on the issue, said the FAA's 30-day notice rule has exceptions "in the event of public safety or an unreasonable hardship. ... The city decided there was a significant public safety threat in having the airplanes right near downtown and made the decision.
"Some people in Washington seem to think they know better than the city does about the safety of the city's people, but the rule is clear," he said. "It's got that exception, and that's the exception we used."
AOPA article
Chicago Tribune story (registration required-- www.bugmenot.com)
beginning of article:
FAA probe of Meigs Field closing irks Daley
By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 3, 2004
Mayor Richard Daley on Saturday delivered an impassioned defense of his decision to shut down Meigs Field, refuting Federal Aviation Administration claims that the city violated federal rules and perhaps misused federal funds in the process.
"We know we acted properly and legally when we closed Meigs Field last year," Daley said at an unrelated event on the South Side with the city's lawyer on the issue at his side.
Citing safety concerns in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and subsequent revelations of Al Qaeda terrorists' flight training at small airports, he said, "I don't think small planes should be flying whatsoever in the metropolitan area, especially in the city of Chicago."
His comments came a day after the FAA proposed a $33,000 fine against the city for not giving 30 days notice of its intent to demolish Meigs.
Michael Schneiderman, the city's attorney on the issue, said the FAA's 30-day notice rule has exceptions "in the event of public safety or an unreasonable hardship. ... The city decided there was a significant public safety threat in having the airplanes right near downtown and made the decision.
"Some people in Washington seem to think they know better than the city does about the safety of the city's people, but the rule is clear," he said. "It's got that exception, and that's the exception we used."
Facebook
Twitter