Barrow contacted about privatizing airport; talks just preliminary say ...

You uneducated and uninformed embiciles never cease to amaze me with your ignorance. If you had any familiarity with public policy, more particularly the FAA, you might come to understand and grasp the concept of federal grant money(my years of federal service have allowed me this insight). You want to turn your nose up at a freebie. Of course, I forgive you because you are misinformed as is the chairman elect (Yearwood). Federal and state money are granted to projects such as the airport in the form of tranportation funding. The term "grant" = free money!! You do understand the term free, I assume. So basically the feds are providing the biggest portion of funding to enhance and improve the airport so outside capital will enter Barrow County in the form of business, industry, and new jobs. Yet, you idiots wanna complain about it. I'm sure once Yearwood figures out how to roll the feds for free money he'll change his tune and hold out his tin cup.

As far as the land deal goes, it is obvious that Mr. Smith was compensated quite well for his property. It seems that purchase would be a welcomed blessing in these economic times. Check the real estate records at the court house and see what other local land sale brought in $750,000 for 13 acres!! I wished my farm was next to the airport, I would encourage them to buy the whole thing and I would sweeten the deal if necessary. If Mr. Smith did not want to sell, he would understandably be dissappointed but likely not because of the compensation given for his land. Besides, since it was a "condemnation", Mr. Smith was not taxed for the $750,000 compensation, not a bad deal after all.

Mr. "Anonymous", if you were so concerned about noise, pollution, crime, etc, in around the vicinity of the airport (which I assume you must reside), shouldn't you be barking about the railroad instead of the airport. Let's address your concerns in a fair and just manner:
1) Noise.......I have never heard a plane that was louder than the CSX locomotives. And they run day and night, averaging two trains per hour in any 24 hr interval, check it and see! Don't forget the horns at every crossing (2 short bursts and one long draw through the crossing).
2) Pollution.....let's think about this for just a moment. Trains come by your home loaded with thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, releasing tons of exhaust into the air, carrying who knows what kind of chemicals and petroleum products as freight........and you want people to believe that you are remotely concerned about pollution. Sorry, but I just don't buy that one. Find another angle for your misguided agenda.
3) Crime and danger.........I have never felt threatened or have I been a victim of a crime perpetrated by an aircraft owner / operator. A railroad hobo, likely, but never an aircraft owner. The chances of a train derailment far outweigh the odds of a plane crash so your smokescreen of concern for danger are again "derailed", no pun intended. Check out the national news, a train derailed in Minnesota this week sending several cars into the Mississippi River. Is that dangerous enough for you? Furthermore, my commute through downtown Winder has never been delayed by an approaching or departing aircraft, but all of us have certainly been "parked" at the downtown train crossing as the trains pass by all hours of the day and night. So realistically, a train really can be an inconvenience and danger to you, it's just real peculiar that you fail to mention it. Again, it fails to meet your shallow agenda.

Mr.Anonymous, your comments completely contradict your perspective concerning the airport. You made an attempt to establish a conspiracy theory about the private investor (Propeller, Inc) showing interst in purchasing the airport. You think ol Doug Garrison made some shady deal to set this up.....whatever. Isn't it likely that this private firm sees an airport with potential in earnings and growth and therfore feels like the airport may be a good investment? If you can deviate from your willful neglect of common sense for a few seconds you will completely comprehend this possibility. With the improvements that have been completed and projected it's really no suprise that an offer such as this has been tabled. What is suprising is that you people, in your infinite wisdom, do not see the value of the airport to the community and the local economy. Seriously, if a private investment firm has interest, then the airport must be doing something right. I can't think of any other government facility that would be an attractive purchase for a private entity. Think about it!!

"Toldyouso", I'm not gonna leave you out of this fireside chat. You seem to have a theory about Doug Garrison's career path once he leaves office. You claim he is going to get rich by listing his ill gotten gains or "fruits of their public service". If your inane banter of suggestions and theories were correct, then Doug probably wouldn't have to work. If he orchestrated all of these shady deals while in office, then certainly he earned enough not to have to work for a living, assuming you're telling the truth. Think about your stupid comment for a moment and ponder why entering the real estate field in this day and time would be beneficial for any warm blooded mammal. He would have been better off giving up his real estate license because I don't think he'll be inking any contracts for a while (read the paper and you might comprehend that comment) You just think Garrison is ruthless, stick around for the "Danny Yearwood Show". This poor county is destined for some unfavorable times. He is the pinnacle of incompetence and ignorance. Is this guy really the best that Barrow County had to offer us? I would certainly hope not! Barrow county desperately needs an enema!


"Big goals can create a fear of failure. Lack of goals guarantees it"-------think about it!!

Thanks Barrow Journal, keep up the fair and informative local coverage, it is appreciated.

Don

It seems I have caused some unexpected confusion with the term "free money" which I used in my previous post. Therefore, for the record, let me retort. Chris, I agree with you in part that no money is free as we all pay federal taxes, which is where the federal grants originate. (Mr. / Mrs.) Brogan, it appears, understands that these funds are allocated and distributed for the prosperity of the community. There are many federal grant programs such as this that the different federal agencies regulate. An example of such programs that you might be familiar with is the CDBG (community development block grant) that the USDA provides to rural communities for infrastructure improvements. A few years ago, the town of Sparta, GA was issued such a grant and utilized the funds to update their water distribution system, sewage treatment, and public housing. This program was certainly welcomed by the community and proved to have many economic and social benefits. The federal money allocated for the airport is essentially the same type of program. Winder should be entitled to the federal money as much as any other small community, wouldn't you agree? If Barrow County does not utilize programs such as this, then the funding will go to some other community airport / facility. I think Barrow County deserves it and should be entitled to a beneficial program such as this. Let's face it, just because you turn federal money down does not mean our taxes will be reduced. I hope Barrow County will go to bat for itself and ultimately invest in the local community.

Chris, I appreciate your response. I guess my abhorrence for the biased responses caused me to respond in a negative tone and I offer my earnest apology. In retrospect, those were harsh words. Also, I was not being boastful about "my years of federal service". That statement was nothing more than a reassurance to you (and the other readers) that I have seen firsthand the distribution of federal grant funds and have witnessed the benefits savored by the participating communities. There is a genuine satisfaction in seeing federal funds serve a plausible contribution to a community of people versus watching it wasted on unregulated programs (bailout &%^$#). In this case (Mr. Anonymous) it's apparent that the federal money should not be refused, let's use it for our community.

Some of you claim that you have no problem with the airport as it is now but are against an "expansion". Installing the ILS system is not an expansion of any sort. The ILS system provides a safe and reliable means of getting aircraft into the airport during inclement weather. This type of improvement is necessary for sustaining general aviation traffic. I would safely assume that any runway extension would be years down the road, if at all. Some citizens/politicians are under the impression that large passenger jets will be arriving at Winder airport, again, urban legend; there's just not enough real estate, period! The airport improvements would be suitable to serve general aviation / corporate aircraft only. Corporate traffic is what Barrow needs to generate economic growth, which is certainly welcomed. Therefore, it is important to support the "improvements" at the airport.

Megan and Spelling police, please forgive me for the misspelled word. My key jamming got a little too fast. And for the record Megan, I don't use spellcheck, I typically don't need it, but I can sense that you likely rely on it!! Thanks for your contribution on the misspelled word but your input on the policies being discussed would be valued even more. I realize you rely on Spellcheck to spell for you but you might consider an entry level civics / history / or political science course to allow you the privilege of independent thinking on discussions such as this. You might find it beneficial!! And yes, this comment was snotty, rude, crude, and repulsive just like your response. Enjoy!!

Don