Why is one man's dream costing taxpayers so much?
Nov 07, 2007
To The Editor:
Barry Morris’ vision for the South River-Sundridge-Morris airport is known to him, I assume, but has been kept a secret from everyone else. No councillor can tell you what it would cost. No councillor (other than perhaps Mr. Morris) can tell you what the annual costs are now to keep the airport “open.” Whatever the costs are now, they are being paid by the residents of Joly, Machar, South River, Sundridge and Strong through their property taxes. The only way to ascertain what amount of your property tax bill goes to airport upkeep would be through a provincially mandated forensic audit at each of the five municipalities.
Upkeep costs are substantial and any improvements to the airport would, in addition to capital costs, trigger increased maintenance costs for salaries, electricity, vehicle maintenance, license fees, etc.
Municipal airports lose money. If Morris wants his own airport, he can acquire the Windsor Airport for free. The City of Windsor has been trying to unload it for years. The new owner merely needs to guarantee that for a period of years, he will pay the shortfall between airport income and expense. Now this is a fully-functioning municipal airport with scheduled airline flights, paved runways, lighting, control tower, gates, emergency equipment, long term parking, etc. It costs the taxpayers of Windsor hundreds of thousands of dollars each and every year to keep it open.
The South River airport was originally a Royal Canadian Air Force training facility during the Second World War owned by the Federal government and gifted to South River after the war. The Feds were glad to get rid of it. Joly was offered the airport and declined. South River soon discovered their error and importuned for help from the other municipalities, who, apparently as an act of charity, agreed to split the costs. It is still surrounded by Crown land but located in Joly Township and owned by South River. De facto ownership has fallen by default to a loosely knit band of a half-dozen pilots who own their own planes and have exercised squatter’s rights and use the terminal as a private clubhouse. They pay nothing.
You and I pay for heat and electricity. You and I paid for the installation of an aviation fuel pump. You and I pay for snowplowing and runway maintenance. You and I pay the salary for someone to plan for further expenditures. You and I will pay for any improvements and the costs to maintain them.
If Morris gets his way, you and I will be looking at $100 to $200 more per month in property taxes. This madness must be stopped. Contact your councillors. They need to be reminded that they owe a duty of care when spending the taxpayer’s money. And that making one man’s dream come true should be low on their list of priorities.
William Douglas,
Joly Township
Editorial
