3-1-05 Even after an overwhelming no confidence vote, in violation of their charter and ignoring the members' vote at the last Civic meeting, the Co-dictators of the Civic have sent a letter filled with lies. The letter supports vast increases in the airport without a new permit or any environmental reports. Swanson has become a strong supporter of the Airport and ignores the Civic's survey, the community and the property owners..
They are using money donated to close the airport to promote themselves and the airport. Swanson committed perjury at the 1-22-05 hearing by lying under oath that the Civic supported continuing the airport without a new permit and without any environmental reports.
Note the post card "vote" violates their charter that requires a 2 week notice, a full discussion of the issues and then an in person vote. This is like in old Iraq where Sadam Hussein got nearly 100% of the vote but he was the only one on the ballot, just a Sadam Swanson's airport is the only choice on her ballot. And as Swanson will control the post cards ....
Here is their letter:
Agua Dulce Civic Association, Inc. 33201-1 Agua Dulce Cyn. Rd. Agua Dulce, CA 91390
...Serving Agua Dulce Property Owners since 1956
February 27, 2005
Dear Civic Members,
This is your opportunity to cast your vote on issues surrounding the Revocation/Modification process begun by the County of Los Angeles on the Agua Dulce Airport Special Permit 1404.
The Civic Association has long fought expansion of the airport. We need you to make an informed decision so we know how the majority of you wish for us to proceed.
As you know, at Supervisor Antonovich's suggestion, the Civic Association has met with representatives of the Agua Dulce Airpark in an effort to resolve our long standing issues with both the operation of the airport and the county's enforcement of the airport's special permit.
Based on these discussions, the Airport planners have presented us a compromise proposal entitled "Proposed Corrective Conditions Related to Modification of Special Permit No. 1404-(5) for the Agua Dulce Airport." You can download the entire proposal on our web site www.aguadulceupdate.com. Or call 268.0206 and a copy will be mailed to you.
Attached is a comparison from the airport's planners of the airport's allowable uses under its existing permit versus the reduction in uses the airport is proposing for modification of the permit. Key in the proposal is the conversion of the airport from a "public use" to a "special use" airport. The airport would not be open to the general flying public and there would be limits on the number of guest flights. Only 65 aircraft will be allowed to lease hangars. Federal law prevents banning jets at any airport if it has a "public use" permit. Converting the airport to "special use" allows the airport owner (not the feds) to control the access to the airport. You will see in the proposal that the airport is willing to ban jets and any aircraft over 12,500 lbs and 55' wingspans. The current permit allows planes up to 30,000lbs!!!
Alternatively, some of you may wish that the airport's permit be revoked. However, county staff has told us that they intend to modify and not revoke the permit. Even if the Commissioners voted to revoke, this does not mean that the airport will close. The airport would apply for a new permit and the county could allow the airport to function during the process. Also, if we push to revoke the permit, the airport would be under no obligation to offer the community the compromises in their current proposal. They could get a new "public use" permit and the jets won't be far behind! In the past year close to $20,000 has been spent consulting with an aviation attorney and a land use attorney exploring various options, including revocation of the permit. It has been our attorneys' opinion that an effort to revoke the permit will require court action and could easily cost over one hundred thousand dollars! It could drag on for years with an uncertain outcome. We don't have the resources to pursue this course of action.
Our aviation attorney believes that the proposed modifications are a good compromise for the community. As your Board we believe that this proposal deserves your consideration and we urge you to vote for the compromise proposal on the enclosed ballot.
Despite our recommendation, the Regional Planning Commissioners can add or delete any condition they wish. Of course we can make an appeal to the Board of Supervisors, but we cannot guarantee exactly the final conditions of the compromise proposal.
If the majority of Civic members vote to support the compromise proposal, we will proceed to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would essentially be a contract with the Airport and the Civic that we could record with the county. The contract would outline our agreement on the conditions of the airport's use and legal enforcement above the level of the county's zoning enforcement process. Many of us have found county enforcement laboriously slow and without meaningful repercussion.
Please return the enclosed ballot as soon as possible. We must have your ballot in hand no later than Wednesday, March 9".
Remember to watch the skies around 9:30am next Saturday March 5'h, when the airport will be demonstrating the take off and landing characteristics of turbo props vs. twin engine piston aircraft. Also, please consider making a contribution to our airport legal fund. We will all benefit if the airport is no longer open to the public. It is only fair that we all contribute to this effort.
Per the bylaws (available at meetings or at www.aguadulceupdate.com), ballots are being sent to all members in good standing for a minimum of 30 days.
Sincerely,
Agua Dulce Civic Association Board of Directors
Note the "vote" is only for Swanson the other is no position.
Vote for one
I support the compromise proposal for the airport to convert from a "public use" airport to an airport not open to the public with limits on guest flights and a maximum of 65 based aircraft.
I prefer to have the Regional Planning Commission make the decision on revocation/modification of the airport's permit.
Name
Property Address
Comments
Voting privileges are limited to members who are property owners in A.D. over 18 yrs. of age; and are in good standing at least 30 days prior to the vote. If you have questions call 268.0765 If you prefer a secret ballot, seal your ballot in an envelope and then place in another envelope to which you must print and sign your name and property address.
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