Once again the arguements and the article miss the point. We have a nice airport in a nice location that can be good for our community but: Our Airport Authority is dominated by former big airline and Air Force folks who are fixated on returning scheduled air service to Moore County at the expense of more realistic uses. With RDU so close by and offering so many good fares we have no chance of scheduled service returning here. It won't happen. It can't happen. We need to quit this pursuit and waste of time and money. We need younger, more creative, more diverse folks running the airport. I recommend we create and market the airport as a recreational/general aviation park and create an atmosphere that supports historic, experimental, ultralight, balloon, etc aircraft. We need to change the business model, services, rates, and infrastructure to do this. We live in high per capita income area and folks have the money to pursue avaiton as a hobby or small business if services, fuel, training, etc are in place. We might even attract aviation-related businesses of the sorts I describe if we try. There is still land (for now) available around the airport to support if we change emphasis. It could be a lot of fun and profitable for more people. We change on the board/authority to even get started, though. As for the The Open it'll get a few days of high traffic and is being overused as an excuse to spend money.
It's nice to see relatively young person that'll have his children in the school system. He'll bring a different perspective. Thanks to Dr Purser for a job well done. Welcome Dr Spence and best wishes.
Fields is a good man who's served well but what about the idea of representative democracy? Why not a special election.Zippy is correct. Fields' views are very well known as described. The people, not a few close friends and long-time insiders on Council should decide. For an area so dominated by conservatives so suspicious of govt it seems odd to have an elected body appoint someone who did not want to run. If it were for 4 months, maybe, but 2 years is too long.
Who came first, the airport, SCC, or Whispering Pines is irrelevant. If one reads the nice stone monument in front of the airport they'll learn the WPA built the airport in its current form. Yes, a government program with taxpayers dollars and the public interest is what matters. The current board runs the airport like a private club and violates sunshine laws consistently. The real point is thier pursuit of scheduled airlines is a waste of time and money when they could be creating a model private aircraft destination with better fuel, vendor, flying lessons, aircraft sales, and rentals. The interest and the money are here.
Well said. Especially "They’re sick of the fact that no one, whoever’s in power, seems to be willing to hold these mega-banks to the same standards as you or me when they rip people off." We need to wake up and smell the coffee. Why hasn't Congress had hearing on this? Because of the lobbying Dusty mentions. We also need campaign finance reform so this flush of big money stops having the overpowering influence is has. All we have to do is vote out our incumbent members of Congress to remind them who has the real power. I won't hold my breath, though, as long as the numbers of people who actually vote are so low.
Commercial, scheduled airline aviation will not return to Moore County and we need to stop speding money in pursuit of this . The RDU airport is too close and has too many flights by all the major airlines. None are going to compete with themselves here and can't anyway. The recent Delta service was anything but market driven. Grants made up for what couldn't be generated internally and as soon as that taxpayer money was spent Delta left. Without pay parking, vendors, and large rental car receipts an airport can't pay for all the security and other services required. Energy and funds would be better spent making OUR airport a private and hobbyist aviation destination. I believe our airport is well positioned for that. We need to do what it takes to attract private owners of all types of aircraft to include experimentals, gliders, balloons, and vintage aircraft. The current high fuel prices, cheap-looking hangers in too small a quantity, and indifferent board stands in the way of exploiting this market. If we can attract high end golf and equine activities we can do the same in sport and private aviation. The change that's most needed is in the board. The current members are too fixated on the past to see the future.
God bless Allan and rest his soul. I've enjoyed reading his columns, but, he's off base here. We can't blame teacher's unions for our problems here in NC because we have no teachers' unions here in NC. They make a great whipping boy elsewhere but the real problem is at home. Allan gives his mother credit for his standards and work as a student. Too many apparently don't have the home life he was blessed with. This is why he was a successful man of values.
This is a great piece and a good example of what we need to preserve and encourage in Moore County --- small but productive farm operations. People want locally produced food and with so much rural area we have it. We need to further develop it. It will be attractive to folks considering a home in Moore County. Please do more articles like this. Tell us about te operation in Robbins that processes beef. How many other small farmers do they support?
AmericanModerator 1 year, 3 months ago
County OK's Tourism Funds for Airport
Once again the arguements and the article miss the point. We have a nice airport in a nice location that can be good for our community but: Our Airport Authority is dominated by former big airline and Air Force folks who are fixated on returning scheduled air service to Moore County at the expense of more realistic uses. With RDU so close by and offering so many good fares we have no chance of scheduled service returning here. It won't happen. It can't happen. We need to quit this pursuit and waste of time and money. We need younger, more creative, more diverse folks running the airport. I recommend we create and market the airport as a recreational/general aviation park and create an atmosphere that supports historic, experimental, ultralight, balloon, etc aircraft. We need to change the business model, services, rates, and infrastructure to do this. We live in high per capita income area and folks have the money to pursue avaiton as a hobby or small business if services, fuel, training, etc are in place. We might even attract aviation-related businesses of the sorts I describe if we try. There is still land (for now) available around the airport to support if we change emphasis. It could be a lot of fun and profitable for more people. We change on the board/authority to even get started, though. As for the The Open it'll get a few days of high traffic and is being overused as an excuse to spend money.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 4 months ago
1942 Durham Rose Bowl: Prelude to War for the Players
Thanks for a very nice essay that's well-timed. It's a nice perspective on the endless bowl games we have to endure this season.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 4 months ago
New School Superintendent From Houston
It's nice to see relatively young person that'll have his children in the school system. He'll bring a different perspective. Thanks to Dr Purser for a job well done. Welcome Dr Spence and best wishes.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 5 months ago
SP Council Expected to Tap Fields
Fields is a good man who's served well but what about the idea of representative democracy? Why not a special election.Zippy is correct. Fields' views are very well known as described. The people, not a few close friends and long-time insiders on Council should decide. For an area so dominated by conservatives so suspicious of govt it seems odd to have an elected body appoint someone who did not want to run. If it were for 4 months, maybe, but 2 years is too long.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 6 months ago
Long-Range Plan Needs Your Support
So Geoff, who do you think will live up to it? Which candidates? Go out on a limb -- no pun intended.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 6 months ago
Airport Land Grab Was Wrong
Who came first, the airport, SCC, or Whispering Pines is irrelevant. If one reads the nice stone monument in front of the airport they'll learn the WPA built the airport in its current form. Yes, a government program with taxpayers dollars and the public interest is what matters. The current board runs the airport like a private club and violates sunshine laws consistently. The real point is thier pursuit of scheduled airlines is a waste of time and money when they could be creating a model private aircraft destination with better fuel, vendor, flying lessons, aircraft sales, and rentals. The interest and the money are here.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 6 months ago
Rip-Offs Were Rewarded If You Did What Citibank Did ...
Well said. Especially "They’re sick of the fact that no one, whoever’s in power, seems to be willing to hold these mega-banks to the same standards as you or me when they rip people off." We need to wake up and smell the coffee. Why hasn't Congress had hearing on this? Because of the lobbying Dusty mentions. We also need campaign finance reform so this flush of big money stops having the overpowering influence is has. All we have to do is vote out our incumbent members of Congress to remind them who has the real power. I won't hold my breath, though, as long as the numbers of people who actually vote are so low.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 6 months ago
Airport Land Grab Was Wrong
Commercial, scheduled airline aviation will not return to Moore County and we need to stop speding money in pursuit of this . The RDU airport is too close and has too many flights by all the major airlines. None are going to compete with themselves here and can't anyway. The recent Delta service was anything but market driven. Grants made up for what couldn't be generated internally and as soon as that taxpayer money was spent Delta left. Without pay parking, vendors, and large rental car receipts an airport can't pay for all the security and other services required. Energy and funds would be better spent making OUR airport a private and hobbyist aviation destination. I believe our airport is well positioned for that. We need to do what it takes to attract private owners of all types of aircraft to include experimentals, gliders, balloons, and vintage aircraft. The current high fuel prices, cheap-looking hangers in too small a quantity, and indifferent board stands in the way of exploiting this market. If we can attract high end golf and equine activities we can do the same in sport and private aviation. The change that's most needed is in the board. The current members are too fixated on the past to see the future.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 7 months ago
Allan Jefferys’ Final Column
God bless Allan and rest his soul. I've enjoyed reading his columns, but, he's off base here. We can't blame teacher's unions for our problems here in NC because we have no teachers' unions here in NC. They make a great whipping boy elsewhere but the real problem is at home. Allan gives his mother credit for his standards and work as a student. Too many apparently don't have the home life he was blessed with. This is why he was a successful man of values.
AmericanModerator 1 year, 10 months ago
A Labor of Love: Mike Rowland's Farm Has Become a Reality
This is a great piece and a good example of what we need to preserve and encourage in Moore County --- small but productive farm operations. People want locally produced food and with so much rural area we have it. We need to further develop it. It will be attractive to folks considering a home in Moore County. Please do more articles like this. Tell us about te operation in Robbins that processes beef. How many other small farmers do they support?