Letter To The Editor: These 2 men will safeguard private property rights

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

In 2010 the city of Pella determined it was comparable in cost to build a replacement airport versus expanding their current facility—which was built in the late 1960’s. Evidently some deficient city planning has led to barriers to stretching their borders there. For some reason a proposed Otley location has been (for now) put on hold, & Pella persuaded Oskaloosa & Mahaska county officials to piggyback their effort into the South Central Regional Airport Agency in 2012. Pella was named the “Coordinating Agency” in the 28-E agreement, & is to see to the bills & employees. In effect, Pella is to run its new “replacement” airport miles inside Mahaska county, subject to the overall board. But now, eminent domain action may be needed to take 100’s of acres of prime farmland for SCRAA, as some area owners are refusing to sell. Mahaska county voters who think this is all a bail-out for poor Pella planning–& want to send Pella back to the drawing board—best vote Steve Wanders & Steve Parker for supervisors in the Nov. 6 election. These 2 men will safeguard private property rights against Pella’s “wants,” & realize the present Oskaloosa airport is very improvable & able—along with an expanding Ottumwa Regional Airport close by—to meet Mahaska county’s aviation needs.

Sincerely,
Harold Fynaardt.