[Winona Online Democracy] Duane,
It may be that no runways would need to be closed to run a loop around the airport. The size and economics however might justify a new all weather airport somewhere on the ridge. Those questions need to be researched along with the projected number of 100 car trains passing though Winona every day and night verses them turning around upriver. One thing I think it is safe to say and that is some deep and heavy thought should be taking place now and not later while we can contribute to the discussion and outcome. Putting our collective heads in the sand will not cause the potential problems to go away or have any less impact in the final outcome. Discussing it now could be a win win in the long haul. Paul Double -----Original Message----- From: Duane Peterson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 12:24 PM To: Paul Double; Online Democracy Subject: Re: [Winona] DM&E Opportunity Paul, which runway would you suggest we close? The East-west runway is the longest and will accomodate bigger planes. The North South runway allows a pilot to land or take off into the wind when it is either from the North or South. It is a shorter runway, but I would suggest that we keep our airport as is. It was put in to accomodate the future. For a while we had Northwest Airlines stopping in Winona. Now it is all private planes that use the airport. If we close down runways, private planes will have to divert some flights to La Crosse. We should think long and hard before closing any part of our airport. Private businesses can use it for their own private planes, and its availability is an asset when seeking to have either expansion of existing businesses or attracting new ones. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Online Democracy" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 9:23 AM Subject: [Winona] DM&E Opportunity [Winona Online Democracy] The WDN front page this morning presented a great opportunity for the Winona Area in establishing a 100 car unit train facility. One might question where and how it could benefit the area. 1) If established between Winona and Minnesota City if would enable the rail traffic to not pass through the city. 2) It could be designed to run around the perimeter of the airport thus keeping it in tacked or by relocating the airport to higher ground and converting the airport area to a single runway, opening the balance for industrial development or making the whole parcel industrial. 3) Modern material handling equipment could be put in place to convey bulk materials into barges and the reverse. While some may see this as futuristic the technology and mechanics to create it are not and when one comprehends the tonnage that will move it is truly cost effective for commercial investors to fund. I would suggest the city actively study and convey to the people the impacts of moving cars through the city which may very well take place "verses" reducing the impact with an upriver transfer facility. They may even wish to consult with some Iron Range material handling experts to see how to move huge tonnages long distances and the availability of surplus mining equipment that might be relocated for pennies on the dollar. Just as the lumber industry, river and railroad did for Winona a hundred plus years ago western coal, river and railroad could provide a similar strong economic engine in the future. Paul Double _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
