I thought list members would be interested in reading Mayor Sayles Belton's testimony at the MAC P&E Committee regarding support for the full insulation package out to the 60 DNL. Ann Freeman Communications Director Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (612) 673-2156 Testimony - Mayor Sayles Belton MAC P&E Hearing June 5, 2001 Good afternoon. Thank you for giving us another opportunity to express our concerns about the critical nature of the decision you are about to make. I caution you to fully consider the implications of your decision and the serious impact it will have on children and families in Minneapolis and surrounding communities. I ask each of you to prepare to tell my city's children on what basis you made your decision? * What is expedient? * Could you not stand up to pressure from the Mac staff? * Was your goal to save the MAC money? * Was it to increase airline profits? * Or, will you be able to say that your decision was based on your concern for the quality of life for impacted citizens? I am here to demand your support for full noise mitigation measures out to the 60 DNL on behalf of the residents of Minneapolis impacted by airplane noise. All of you have are well aware of 1996 MAC vote. Some of you were participants in that promise to expand the full noise insulation program to the 60 DNL. In good faith many of us spent hundreds of hours developing a mitigation plan for our communities and we did so under duress. We didn't want to be there! But our own Minnesota legislature pulled the rug out from underneath us. MAC Commissioners, don't do it again! In good consciousness, you acknowledged in 1996 that you had a responsibility as stewards of the airport to guarantee real protection to the thousands of families living day after day with the assault of airplane noise. It's coming at us fast and furious at a rate of 90 flights an hour (between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.) or 1,400 flights a day. It's not OK to just offer air conditioning. It won't guarantee noise reduction in our homes! Everybody else was guaranteed noise reduction to 45 DNL in their homes. We want it for all of the homes out to the 60DNL! With this vote you will impact the quality of life in Minneapolis, Richfield and Bloomington for decades to come. Commissioners, it is time to live up to the promise. We know that making good on this promise comes at a price. Everyone must carry their share of the cost: * For Northwest and the other airlines that are opposing the complete noise insulation package, it is the cost of running a responsible business. * For the legislature and governor, it is the cost of keeping the airport in our backyards. * For the MAC, it is the cost of the mandate to develop one of the largest urban airports in the country and perhaps delaying another capital project. The construction of another garage for instance. But the Citizens will pay the biggest price; they will forfeit their quality of life. In early April, I came to the MAC and also testified before the legislature to recommend a strategy to draw the State of Minnesota into funding mitigation because they made the decision not to build a new airport. Who among you did anything to follow-up with my recommendations? I recall that your Executive Director said it was a good idea! I wonder if you really want to find a solution. If you have limited funds, like the 1996 recommendation says, get the State involved. To help us fulfil the promise and get the job done, we need to build a broader partnership. I have served in good faith as a partner with you in addressing airport concerns and I do not intend to turn my back on our citizens now. Neither should you. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
