RE: “If we are having a difficult time with eight planes, what are we going to do when there is three times that number, with their engine run ups and the blast of noise at take off and landing? It will be relentless. We've got to do something!” (Disturbing the calm of a Sunday evening 29Mar09)

CATEGORY: NOISE

I seriously doubt it’ll stop there I’m afraid, bad as it is NOW. The next step for the island airport will be a “necessary technological improvement” … more efficient and comfortable commuter jets. And boy they’re going to be much quieter too. Yes sir, I can hear the Toronto Board of Trade spokesperson now … “jobs are at stake, businessmen need it, the city needs to be more progressive to be a competitive player, screw the tri-partite agreement”.

Sound ridiculous? There are several real-life examples … the San Diego waterfront airport and London City Airport are two that come to mind. These airports were just like the island airport is now. They grew despite vehement public opposition, and continue to grow. I’ve been in both places and have experienced the assault on the local environment directly. It’s very bad. The noise is constant and at times almost unbearable. I’ve talked to local people too. They regret it deeply. But they’ve become complacent. There was a time they said when it may have been averted, but it’s now too late. The airports are simply too entrenched … politically, economically … and alternatives too costly to consider.

Hey, I wonder what Bob Rae, our sitting Federal MP rep thinks about all this. Has anybody cared to ask him? He always has something to say about anything. Hell, the island airport is in his riding for pete’s sake! He should be crying blue murder!

David Wilson