Citizens, I'd like to publicly commend Metropolitan Airports Commission members Roger Hale, Alton Gasper, and Coral Houle for their reasoned insight and political courage in voting yes to the full insulation option for the expanded sound insulation program in the noise polluted neighborhoods surrounding MSP International Airport. Unfortunately for the hard-working citizens of Minneapolis and other communities who are forced to endure excessive and incessant noise pollution, this pro-citizen faction of the Planning and Environment Committee sat in the minority. In a 4 to 3 vote, committee members William Erhart, Dick Long, Bert McKasy, and Paul Weske voted no to noise relief for beleaguered metro neighborhoods. This committee vote formally breaks the agreement MAC and the state legislature made in 1996 to extend full sound insulation to the 60 DNL contour in exchange for an expanded urban airport. These no votes were made despite recommendations made by the mayors of Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington and metro representatives and senators, to extend the noise abatement program as promised in 1996. A vote on limited noise relief option is forthcoming. Once again, political expediency wins the day. One only regrets that MAC commissioners aren't required to face the electorate they claim to represent. I can't think of a better time for a complete overhaul of the MAC, reorganizing this industry-leaning body into a board of elected officials who answer directly to the good citizens of Minnesota. Dennis Jon Fuller _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
