I think that the whole issue of whether we want a busy commercial airport on the waterfront should be put to a vote.

How about this idea: CAIR and the TPA get together to do an online poll. Each side can be given a certain amount of space on the web-site to give their views. People can then vote. If greater than 50% of the people vote in favour of the airport, then CAIR might think of shutting its web-site down. If the majority vote against it, then at least the results can be given to the Federal Government of the day for consideration.

To me this is the central issue- do Torontonians want a fantastic alternative to Pearson (which Porter clearly offers) or do they want a waterfront that does not have airplane traffic? If I had to guess, I'd say that Torontonians would vote for the airport. The huge success of Porter is an indication in itself that many Torontonians are for the airport. (My guess is that if people are against the airport, they wouldn't fly Porter.) Myself, I prefer that it not be there, but mine is only one opinion among millions. And I don't fly Porter because I am against the airport. But if there was a poll and more than 50% voted for it, I might just move on and fly Porter myself!

If Torontonians vote for the airport, all the CAIR members and people like myself can relax, stop fighting and move on, maybe even embrace it. If Torontonians vote against it, it can give CAIR more firepower in its fight and perhaps politicians will take note.

And the last municipal election does not constitute a vote on the airport. Surely voters considered all of Miller's platform, not just a piece of it.

Well..that is my crazy idea...I welcome any comments of agreement or disagreement.

fftimo