Oskaloosa Residents Take Regional Airport Matters Into Their Own Hands
Press Release from Stop the Airport from being built in Mahaska County
5/18/2023
Even after a hard loss at the Iowa Supreme Court over the legality of the 28E Agreement for the construction of a regional airport, the City of Oskaloosa is still trying to find a way to get it built. Osky residents who have been fighting against the airport for nearly 20 years, however, have their own plans.
A small opposition group operating a Facebook page called Stop The Airport From Being Built In Mahaska County, will be holding an evening of action event at the ISU Extension auditorium at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 25th. The event will kick off with an informative briefing on the past, present and future of efforts to stop the airport. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sign petitions that would allow Osky voters to decide not only on the airport, but the recent 4 to 3 lane conversion on Market Street and A Avenue, as well as their right to petition their city government.
In response to a recent initiative petition commenced by Osky resident, Alicia Helm, the City of Oskaloosa almost immediately decided to repeal provisions of its charter that allow its citizens to petition. In spite of the City of Oskaloosa’s attempt to repeal initiative and referendum provisions from its City Charter, Stop The Airport organizers remain confident, and undeterred.
“It only takes about 140 signatures to force the city council to submit their repeal of initiative and referendum to the voters in an election, and I doubt very highly that anyone would vote to be stripped of their right to petition their government”, said Nick Ryan, a long time opposition voice to the proposed airport, “I know Alicia will get that done.”
Alicia Helm, who started the original initiative petition that takes aim at the airport issue as well as the 4 to 3 lane conversion on A Avenue and Market street, shares those sentiments. “The support and enthusiasm I’ve seen as I’ve been out talking to folks and collecting signatures is just overwhelming.”
The May 15th Night of Action event will be open to the public, however, only those living in the city limits of Oskaloosa and who are registered to vote are eligible to sign petitions.
Stop The Airport is an informally organized group of like minded individuals who work together to bring public awareness to the regional airport project, property rights, and cronyism and corruption.
