Threat to close Oceano Aiport [L52] CA

J

jolielucas

Filing Flight Plan
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Feb 16, 2008
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Central Coast of California
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Mooneygirl
We are fighting the closure of Oceano Airport! A developer is trying to close L52! We need pilots from all over CA to attend this meeting in a show of force. AOPA has been made aware and is on-board. Anyone flying into Oceano who needs a ride, please email us.

We are working closely with AOPA's Bill Dunn, the airport administration, EAA, the FAA, and the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors.

Article in the Tribune:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/02/25/1045185/oceano-county-airport-future-in.html

Both AOPA and AVWeb have run the story.
AVWeb: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/oceano_airport_developer_edwards_202087-1.html

A group of local pilots and business owners will be attending a San Luis Obispo County Supervisors meeting next Tuesday, March 2nd, at morning at 9:00.

A March 17th meeting is being planned by the developer at 5:00 p.m. at the Grover Beach Rabobank. We hope to have good attendance at this meeting.

Jolie Lucas
jolielucas@charter.net


Mitch Latting
sanluisjazzband@charter.net


Here is his press release:
Press Release:

A volunteer ad hoc committee from the community of Oceano has formed to explore options for the approximately 59 acre Oceano Airport. Committee members are derived from the Oceano Advisory Council (OAC), the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD), local business leaders, environmentalists and the general public.

Concepts for redevelopment of the airport property include a broad range of uses including visitor serving, residential, commercial, and senior housing as examples. The overall goal is to bridge the current barrier between the beach community and that portion of the community inland of Highway 1. A walkable, bikeable community that is integrated by strategic development providing live, work and recreation opportunities is one option for the airport property.

Meetings will be held from March through August with a final presentation before a joint OAC and OCSD meeting. There will be six expert presentations kicking off with Steven M. Taber of the law firm of Chevalier, Allen & Lichman, L.L.P. experts in Aviation and Airport Development Law, discussing airport closures and requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and Cal Trans Division of Aeronautics.

Other experts will include; a geologist, an ecologist, an economist, a climate change expert and Coastal Act specialist.

The public is encouraged to attend, Wednesday, March 17th, at 5:00pm at the Grover Beach, Rabobank, 899 Grand Ave. The one-hour presentation will be followed by questions and answers.

Invitees include representatives from San Luis Obispo County and the Supervisorial candidates running for District 4 in which the airport lies.

Jeff Edwards, long time San Luis Obispo County land planner with a questionable reputation.
 
My first thought was: "Jeez, I hope that airport has received FAA funding recently."

Article says it has. I think that's pretty much a slam-dunk against the proposal, if I'm not mistaken.

I love the grab-bag of constituencies he's trying to interest with his potential plans.
He envisions various uses for the property, including commercial and residential development, senior housing and other amenities to serve tourists.
Click to expand...
What? Nothing for the children???

Good luck with your battle. It's a bit of a long putt for me, but I'll be there in spirit.
 
Thank you for your reply. We are trying to put up a strong cohesive front against this developer.
We are working with AOPA, the FAA, the airport admin., NATA, the 99s, and local pilots and business owners.
Watch the media. If we need to, we are going national.
 
They should watch the movie One Six Right.

We are quite aware of your plight here in Florida and you have our support.

The government needs to make airports a hands off realestate.

Good luck and keep us advised.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Wow - I love this airport. I live in Los Angeles and Oceano is a great weekend getaway for... well, a lot of things, including camping (I hear), surfing, sightseeing, $100 burgers, and getting away from the city. Great place to visit and a wonderful place to spend time. I will do everything I can to attend.
 
Threat to close Oceano Aiport [L52] CA-Update

Supervisors meeting was yesterday.
Here is the link to the video of the meeting.
The Supervisors speak to the issue about 5-10 minutes in, and then Ruth Holden, and myself speak.

http://slocounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=847

Here is the link to the Tribune article yesterday:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/03/02/1051046/supervisors-oceano-airport-is.html

We are hoping to have a strong presence at the March 17th meeting Mr. Edwards is staging at the Rabobank in Grover Beach. We have pilots flying in from Los Angeles and Northern California and we hope to have full local support as well. My husband Mitch Latting and myself have been working closely with the AOPA [Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn], the FAA, the EAA, local and national media, and the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors and the airport administration.

On a happier note: Please mark May 8 on your calendar. It will be Oceano Airport Celebration Day sponsored by the Mooney Ambassadors. Pilots and their aircraft are invited to come, open their planes up and tell the public what GA means to our community. Mooney Ambassadors is an aviation service project, giving to the public and to the businesses that support GA. We hope to have a good variety of static displays and have airplanes open for viewing and education. This will be a good old-fashioned fly-in with music, food and fun.

Also, see the latest info. on Oceano on Facebook. Once on Facebook, search Friends of Oceano Airport.

Here is the original text of my speech:

-------------
Good morning, my name is Jolie Lucas a resident of Grover Beach and a 2nd generation pilot. I am here today as a member of the San Luis Obispo 99s, which is an international group of women aviators, and as the founder of the aviation service group, the Mooney Ambassadors. The Mooney Ambassadors help to support our Mooney Airplane Company based in Kerrville Texas, but our secondary mission is to Promote General Aviation to the flying and non-flying public.

When I talk to the public at airport days, or local fly-ins I appreciate that it can be difficult for the non-flying public to understand what General Aviation is. I explain that with the exception of military and commercial flights, if you see it in the air, it is General Aviation. Life flights, Cal Fire, Rescue, Angel Flights, News reporting, Law Enforcement, flying for business, recreational flying and giving of yourself through flying for charity…all are General Aviation. General Aviation Serves America and GA airports serve our communities.

Oceano is a hometown airport. I was an airport kid; I received the love of aviation from my father, our family flew to fly-ins and attended airport days. In fact, he taught me to drive at the airport; Oceano is a good neighbor and a wonderful member of the community. My wedding reception was held at Oceano Airport. We had a BBQ in the campground, listened to live music, and several of our guests took a ride in the Stearman on the field.

In December of 2008, my husband and I, working with the airport administration, held a Toys for Tots Fly-In at Oceano Airport. We had 23 airplanes on the ramp that day, loaded with toys. Toys for Tots, told me that because of our event, the children in our area got one extra toy under the tree. Oceano is a good neighbor! Many Type Clubs make use of L52…The Stinson club has an annual Shrimp on the Barbie-Halloween party at Oceano. Members of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, the RV group and as mentioned the Mooney Ambassadors all make use of the airport and its facilities.

I have personally committed myself to fighting the proposal to dismantle Oceano Airport. I think that many times something positive comes from a challenge. Let’s work together to have an Oceano Airport Celebration Day this spring. Perhaps it is time for us to focus a bit on our little airport, spruce it up for our visitors, and put our best foot forward. We have a slice of heaven in Oceano. Let us be good stewards of that gift.
 
One of my favorite fantasies is to see a law passed that says no one can close an airport without building an equal or better replacement nearby.

We could call it The Disaster Relief and Emergency Services Protection Act of 2010.
 
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