City Council approves extending Craig Field runway

[thelakelander]

Posted: Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 5:27 am
By BETH KORMANIK
The Times-Union

The Jacksonville City Council Tuesday approved extending a runway at Craig Field, forcing Mayor John Peyton to face up to a campaign promise to veto such a move.

During the council’s debate, not one member argued for the extension. Still, the measure passed 11-8.

Voting for the runway extension: Johnny Gaffney, Art Graham, Kevin Hyde, Jay Jabour, Mia Jones, Warren Jones, Stephen Joost, Denise Lee, Don Redman, Art Shad, Jack Webb

Voting against the runway extension: Bill Bishop, Richard Clark, Michael Corrigan, Daniel Davis, Ronnie Fussell, Ray Holt, Glorious Johnson, Clay Yarborough.

full article: http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/01/09/city-council-approves-extending-craig-field-runway/

[Steve]

You missed one gem from the article:

"The margin actually was closer because Councilman Don Redman misvoted and his colleagues would not permit him to re-record the vote."

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!  The buttons are color coded!!!

[Charleston native]

Someone might need to take Don Redman back to kindergarten class if he is that obtuse.

Upon reading what is going on here, I think the approved extension is a good compromise between what JAA wants and what residents don't want. A 5,600 foot runway isn't going to bring in jumbo jetliners...it merely gives more room for the small, corporate jets that want to avoid JIA traffic.

[copperfiend]

I agree with Charleston. I live close by the airport and I am have no problem with the extension. The problem is that people on uninformed and have the NIMBY attitude.

[JeffreyS]

The extension probably is good for Jax, but elected officials who kept their word wouldn't be bad.

[Ocklawaha]

Never understood the NIMBY attitude. Why not of, for, and BY THE PEOPLE? The "ME" society messes with my old hippie head. To paraphrase the movie "Airplane":

"Come on Shana, they bought their houses, they knew it was by an airport, they knew what they were getting into... I say, LET EM CRASH!"

Ocklawaha

[bobsim]

Well, I'm new and trying to behave so I'll be careful...Correct me if I'm wrong here but weren't the residents promised this wouldn't happen if the jets were allowed to use the airfield? I seem to remember a promise or whatever it's called these days to that effect.
JIA is a large and very accessible airport. The only issue I have heard on the subject is convenience for the small jets. I say let them drive a few miles out of their way- and enjoy the landscaping on 9A.
Seems to me the NIMBY attitude is history, the jets are here. Now if promises are to be broken for the convenience of the jets maybe a little SIUYA attitude is in order.