Dear Editor,
There’ll be a real test of the strength of local democracy when our council meets on August 23rd to vote on their next moves for Santa Monica Airport. They’ve already committed themselves to closing the airport: now they need to take action by sending Atlantic Aviation a notice leave by the end of the year.
Atlantic is responsible for 90% of the jet flights that are ruining the lives and damaging the health of thousands of people living around the airport.
Jet flights that have actually increased, by 10%, since the council regained control of the airport last year.
Under law, even under FAA rules, Atlantic no longer has any right to be here, and the council has written to them to tell them so. But will our councilors have the courage to actually tell Atlantic to go?
They’ll be under heavy pressure from rich jet owners and other special interests, and some will doubtless be tempted to back down, but those of us living with the noise and pollution are hoping they’ll have the courage on August 23rd, to send Atlantic an eviction notice and show that the city really has taken back control of the airport.
Gavin and Nicola Scott
Santa Monica
