Stop the RFP Process Now

In the course of a lifetime, what does it matter?

I ran across this phrase in a middle school novel. Changes in my personal and professional life (divorce, remarriage, an aging parent, a husband with incurable cancer, retirement) caused me to ask myself, “in the course of a lifetime, what does it matter?” Faith matters. I couldn’t get through one second without God’s help.  Family matters. Links between generations hold this nation together. Profession matters. Mine was education. Love what you do, and do what you love.

I have purposely left out, “community matters.” Last fall, I became aware of plans to add commercial passenger jet service with the expansion plans at Briscoe Field. I had to ask myself, “in the course of my lifetime…?

After some research on airports similar to Briscoe, I learned that declining property values is worrisome. Noise issues came to the forefront. I started voicing my opinions through editorials. I knew there must be others in Gwinnett searching for information. I knew it would take time and energy to address this issue of quality of life.  Did it matter enough for me to sacrifice my energy, time, and talent to oppose this issue? As I sat in the stillness, the answer was clear: In my lifetime, this matters.

The more important question became: Why does it matter? Studying the issue in depth, with hundreds of opponents, the answer became clear. Gwinnettians live here because they hunger for a safe, peaceful way of life. Gwinnett county citizens are proud of their county -- a high-tech, light industrial community offering a blended semi-rural setting and a quality school system. Industries have flocked to Gwinnett for the same reasons. Allowing commercial passenger service would jeopardize our unique way of life as a quality metro-Atlanta community. Our exceptional community, including the learning of our students, could be in jeopardy if commercialization comes to Briscoe.

The commissioners have spent months listening to facts presented by the opposition. They dedicated “listening” forums prior to the special election to “listen” to us, yet they still have not “heard” our voices. They have chosen instead to listen to and heed the opinions of the “shakers and movers” who comprise only a fraction of this county and often do not even live in our county.

The FAA study published this week (Atlanta Metropolitan Aviation Capacity Study) shows commercialization of Briscoe is not feasible at this time. Brett Smith of Propeller Investments claims that the FAA study overstated the cost of commercialization ($2.2 billion), that Hartsfield is looking to keep its monopoly.  The FAA paid for about 70 percent of this study done by several top consultants in the world. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber were included in this study. Mr. Smith, does not live in Gwinnett, but in Dunwoody, presumes to have more knowledge than the consultants of a million dollar study and assumes he knows what is best for Gwinnett. Let’s remind ourselves that Mr. Smith is in this to make money for Propeller Investments and for himself.

Ms. Lassiter, Ms. Howard, Mr. Beaudreau -- We have had to put off personal projects on which we had our hearts, hopes, and dreams set.  We expect you to do the same when it comes to committing us to a project destined to fail. Your proposed IMF “study” will be funded through our taxes that are earmarked for the airport. This isn’t acceptable. You’ve said that this Board wants to reinstate integrity, and a connection to the public. Wait no longer. Stop the process of RFP requests now.

Gaye McNeil

Lawrenceville, Ga.

Mrs. McNeil is a 30-year veteran teacher in Gwinnett County and Buford City Schools. She and her husband have lived in Lawrenceville since he built their home in 1976. They are happily situated a half mile from Briscoe Field.