Letter to the Editor
March 15, 2007

Do we really understand what is going on with the Portage County Airport? The Portage County Airport states, "It needs to expand in order to survive." Who will use this facility? Possibly a dozen people from the area and supposedly five large businesses will use the airport. Do we know what five large businesses plan to move into the area? That information has not been released and seems to be a mystery. Most large businesses only move into the area for tax abatements and within 10 years leave nothing behind but empty warehouses. Shalersville is such a beautiful rural area. Its a great place to live quietly. The expansion of the airport will not only affect local residents, but all Portage County residents. Portage County residents need to take a look at this situation. The 5-year plan that the Portage County Airport has. Is it feasible? Or do they have more of an outlook of, "If we build it, they will come." That just wont work. If this project isnt financially set, we as Portage County residents will end up paying higher taxes to support this facility. Those that live around the area will have homes that drastically depreciate and our quality of life will decline. We need to start looking into the plan of the Portage County Airport because not only will local residents be affected by this, but all of Portage County. We need to contact our local Commissioners Smeiles, Keiper and Frederick and start asking more questions.

Laure Gauntner
Shalersville Resident