Dear Joe
Frankly your last posting was a little bizarre. I can't count the number of times that members of CommunityAIR and our supporters have complained to the Toronto Port Authority about excessive noise, engine run ups and curfew violations. For months we were simply stonewalled, but now, finally, our complaints are being taken seriously. The penny seems to have dropped that our complaints are not only valid, but they provide sufficient reason to close the Island Airport.
Perhaps after all of our efforts we can begin to have a dialogue with the airport staff and the Board Members of the TPA to deal with these gross violations of the Tripartite Agreement that regulates the activities of the airport, but don't count on it. I have spent much of my adult life involved in political issues; I even worked at a senior level of government at one time, and I have never encountered a more unresponsive public body than the Toronto Port Authority.
But there is another issue here. What you and others don't seem to understand is that CommunityAIR members and the host of our supporters across this city, fundamentally disagree with you on what type of city we want to live in.
Joe, you seem to think that with a few technical or scheduling changes and good will, everyone will agree that the Island Airport is just wonderful. We will never agree with that.
An airport in the centre of the city -- within two kilometers of the downtown core of Toronto -- a stone's throw from densely populated neighbourhoods -- a toxic centre of pollution -- adjacent to the Waterfront that three levels of government and private sector partners are spending billions to redevelop -- overlooking the harbour, Lake Ontario and the Island Park, the most important recreational resources of the city -- in the centre of one of the most important bird flyways in Southern Ontario -- need I go on? -- an airport in this location is as stupid as a bag of hammers. There is only one technical fix for this airport and that is to close it.
We are not wingnuts, Joe, or even unreasonable people. Over a beer we would probably have a few laughs together. But you have to understand that members of CommunityAIR are part of a powerful movement that is struggling to create a livable city for ourselves, our families and our community. We want a city that values neighbourhoods, develops ways and means to reduce deadly air and water pollution, and an inclusive city where people care and look out for each other. We want a city that puts the quality of life first on the agenda. And that does not include an airport smack dab in the downtown of Toronto.
We are in the majority, Joe. History is on our side, as Barack Obama likes to say. Why don't you join the movement?
Bill Freeman, Oh, and keep writing. You know a lot about airports and we value your opinion.
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