INTERESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE GIVING A GREEN LIGHT TO THE AIRPORT EXPANSION PROJECT?

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SUPPORT FOR THE AIRPORT EXPANSION

GO TO LETTERS PROTESTING THE STANHOPE AIRPORT EXPANSION

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LETTERS WRITTEN TO COUNCILLOR DIANE GRIFFIN, A.H. COUNCIL, MINISTERS, and NEWSPAPERS
FROM OXTONGUE LAKE TAXPAYERS AND OTHERS
SUPPORTING
THE PROPOSED STANHOPE AIRPORT EXPANSION

SUBMIT YOUR VIEW

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Below is a daily-updated archive of texts from correspondence written by Oxtongue Lake taxpayers and others to our Council representative Diane Griffin, to Council itself, to Ministers and local newspapers expressing views on the proposed Stanhope Airport expansion.  If you have not yet written to Diane with your views, please do so — obviously, any and all views will be posted below.  If you wish to share your views publicly, please copy any correspondence to your WebGuy. The most recently received emails are posted at the top of the collection.

Email our representative, Diane Griffin, Councillor
Copy Eleanor Harrison, Reeve
Copy Tom Gardner, Deputy-Reeve
Copy Carol Moffatt, Councillor
Copy Don Shortreed, Councillor

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June 3 — Link to Minden Times Letter to the Editor, “New runway is needed”

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August 12

I support the development of a second runway at Stanhope. Yes, I’m biased – I own a small aircraft, based at Sundridge Airport, and I have flown it to Stanhope a number of times.  It would be more often, but crosswinds over paved runways make landing technique more demanding in a tail-dragger type of aircraft.  A runway (mostly) into the wind is a really good idea, regardless of the size/type of the aircraft.

I notice all the people complaining about the airport expansion want all the benefits of modern life, too.   The cell phone tower/no cell phone service issue mentioned in another person’s letter comes to mind.  One of the surprising things about aviation is how high you have to fly before you can no longer smell the hypocrisy….   When the anti-airport crowd give up their cell phones, their SUVs, their TV, their power boats, then sure, I will withdraw my support for the second runway.  But NOT until then.

Eric Schlieper
15 Torbolton Rd No. 303
Toronto Ontario
M9W 3Y3

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July 18

I write to support  the airport expansion. As hopeful future permanent resident,and business owner I plan on moving into your area . However it is the airport that will help me make a decision. I currently Live in St. Catharines, On. I hope that the people of the community can see that an airport is a necessity of a growing prosperous community. I know this has been debated for a long time, and I hope the airport has an opportunity to prove itself, as it is important for commerce ,safety, healthcare ,fire and the growth potential and prosperity.

Rick Kasowski
Owner of
Kazs Pub

Owner of
Kasowski Holdings

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July 13

The Editor
The County Voice
The Minden Times

I respect what Reeve Eleanor Harrison and her Council are trying to do for Haliburton, and in unison, for all those using the Stanhope Airport. I am a pilot and the owner of a small aircraft based there.  Contrary to what the lake association and early press coverage seemed to conclude, this airport does cry out for a cross runway, and there is no technical reason against it proceeding.

There has been an unfortunate effort to turn the public against the current users of the airport. Published statements such as “All this fuss so 20 or so people can play with their toys” are inaccurate and really attempts to cloud the true intent and wider benefit for all citizens of Haliburton. Most of the owners and pilots of small aircraft, that I have met, are not wealthy.   Many small aircraft are old and cost less than an SUV to purchase.   Many drive well-used vehicles and cut back irrationally in other areas to support their ‘love of flight’.   Sometimes this is very difficult even for our loved ones to understand.  We owe them a great debt for their indulgence.

In my view, the project is not primarily for the owners and pilots now using Stanhope airport – The current runway is 2500’ long.  An alternate runway is needed but there is currently not an aircraft here that needs more than a 2500’ cross-runway.  The project calls for 4000’.

I don’t think anyone would have stood in the way of another short runway to address the safety issue. Any attempt to block it may have been seen to be self serving and uncaring when it would not have expanded the airport substantially.

On the other hand, the costs might be almost the same for a short runway and if all this were done only for the current flyers, the critics would have a case.  But this was never the intent of Council. This ‘project’ will allow the community to be well served by aviation in the future.

The longer 4000’ capability planned is for all the people of Haliburton in two important ways:

First, detractors suggest that even after all the planned airport improvements; it still could not accommodate aircraft that would provide useful service to the average resident. I don’t see that.  Porter Airlines operate the Canadian built Q400 Dash 8 exclusively.  They are very successful and are still expanding with new routes from their base on Toronto Island.  The longest runway on Toronto Island is 3988 feet.

Modern regional aircraft can be quiet, comfortable, efficient, and do not need more runway than this. Tickets are purchased ‘on line’ and you simply show up at the airport.  It may be years away, but I can see a “Porter” style operation dropping in to Stanhope and Muskoka, then head off to Pearson, or perhaps Ottawa.  Wouldn’t it be attractive to be in Pearson in 30 minutes and board a connecting flight for a far away place?   Will the provincial medical transport system ever operate a Dash 7 or 8 shuttle that drops into Stanhope and then reaches City Centre in 30 minutes, so a child can live at home in Haliburton and still get treatment several times a week at Sick Kids?  Perhaps it will with a runway that will open the County to the world.

The second benefit to our area is almost as important in my view. This perspective comes from my 35 years experience as an emergency service worker. The added capability this runway could provide would open the door to ‘workhorse’ aircraft.  The Lake Association will not have to worry about these aircraft flying in every week, or even every month, but these can be essential in times of emergency.  Disasters with roads impassable seem far removed on TV, so it may be hard to imagine an event that might generate the need for this capability.  In crisis, our citizens can expect excellent support from agencies working together, all the way up to the Canadian Armed Forces.  However, basic infrastructure has to be in place to receive this assistance. ‘Emergency preparedness’ is the least glamorous responsibility for government.  It is expensive and there is usually little payback in the ballot box, but it is why we have government.  Like much of rural Canada, communities in the rugged areas of Ontario are poorly serviced with a lack of useable landing sites.  Airports with this capability are few and far apart.  In my view, we could have started to address this years ago.  Environmental impact can also be measured within this context.  The balance here is in the capability to save thousands of acres of forest, homes, and wildlife by the rapid deployment of fire fighting aircraft that could be based here.  Stanhope happens to be in a perfect location for surveillance of ‘The Park’.  The yellow MNR Twin Otters are often stationed at Stanhope in the summer.  The expansion would allow the large CL415 water bombers to make Stanhope their home away from home.  It is a superb aircraft and in one drop they can do what a Twin Otter takes hours to accomplish.

We have an opportunity to address all these issues for Haliburton.  Algonquin Highlands understands this. Ottawa and Queens Park know this.

I share one concern with the critics. It is centered on the potential cost carried solely by one of the four municipalities in Haliburton,  Algonquin Highlands. Outside of that municipality, most people understand there is no financial commitment for them and they might feel differently about the project.  Most support the added capability without reserve.  And of course, there would be much wider support in Algonquin Highlands if their burden were being shared.  In an area dependent on tourism, all four municipalities should be endorsing the vision led by Algonquin Highlands council and insist this project proceed. It is simply short sited that they have not.  Given time, the municipal cost of the project could easily be absorbed over the entire Haliburton County.  The yearly budget at the county level is about 20 million.  I understand their responsibilities already include ambulance, public health and 911 services.  Other services funded jointly by all four municipalities through the larger County include forestry, county roads and Economic Development.

Perhaps it was understandable when the councils of Minden Hills, Dysart et al and Highlands East were afraid to commit resources to the airport individually, but this is exactly what Haliburton County should be doing. It is their responsibility to collectively plan for the future of the entire County.  It is the entire County that will benefit from this capability in the future.

Few politicians address an issue squarely, and have the strength to make decisions that only bear fruit past the next election. That is the pitfall of our system.  There is little encouragement for them to think of future generations when they must be concerned about their popularity and re-election the moment they take power. While they must read the wind and accept public guidance in making decisions, they are empowered to represent all citizens in their municipalities.  The quiet and thoughtful ones, and the interest of those still too young to vote cannot be lost in the rhetoric.

From the start, the biggest hurdle anticipated was to convince both the Provincial and Federal Governments that this project was needed and had merit. On review, it was clear to Ottawa and Queens Park and they agreed to pick up the majority of the cost.  The world circumstances that have brought us this funding may never happen again.

I think of ‘missed opportunity’ every time I fly over the Power Generating Station in Minden. It was progressive thinking that built it in the depth of the great depression using incentive money from senior government under the “Unemployment Relief Work Act”.  It started producing electricity in 1935 and continues to pay dividends today, not for the people of Haliburton but for the town of Orillia. The total cost to Orillia was reported to be $690,000.

Failing to find a way to seize this opportunity for Haliburton’s future would be irresponsible.

Paul Martin
Mountain Lake

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July 6

I am a pilot and recently purchased a cottage on Kennisis Lake. The conveniece and close proximity of the Stanhope Airport was one of the reasons I chose to purchase on this lake. I will be able to make more frequent trips to the cottage and avoid all the traffic while building hours. With the change in the prevailing winds now coming from the North West, it only makes sense to have a runway that we can land and take off into the wind. This expansion will be sure to generate revenue and jobs.There is a whole host of services that the airport and surrounding community can offer if they take full advantage of this and show their support.

Dean Robinson

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July 3

To Whom it may concern,

Please continue looking into the future of this community and region, and vote to proceed with expanding the Stanhope airport.  Each year I look forward to leaving the big city of Chicago for a couple weeks vacationing on Lake Kenisis, and being able to fly into and out of Stanhope airport is a decided plus in favor of your community.

To have the additional margin of safety provided by the expansion would certainly be a benefit to pilots, passengers, and members of the community alike.  I cannot help noticing that the area seems to have a strong economy in spite of tough times, and continuing to encourage regional, national, and international traffic to this area will continue to feed area businesses.  Not to mention how the airport expansion will continue to make the area more accessible to vacationers who wish to avoid the surface trafic, making real estate values stronger.

Paul Ziegele
VP/Chief Financial Officer
Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital

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July 1

Gentlemen:

It appears there is a consensus of opinion that the expansion of the Stanhope Airport is unwarranted and possibly in future could become a burden to taxpayers.

When the Federal Government money is available we should take advantage of it. The aircraft industry both commercial and private have contributed to the growth of communities across this country.

Yes, there is a small number of persons using this facility, but suppose we all took the attitude that anything that might cost a little of our tax dollars in future should not be done.

Well if the roads to this wonderful County were not improved at taxpayers expense, would the cottage industry that provides us with tax dollars be here? Suppose we said the Library will be under utilized because there is not the population base to support the cost of a new library, our children and adults alike would not have this new facility available. We could not get the material necessary to improve our reading habits. Look at all the facilities we pay tax dollars to support and then consider the effects of either not improving them as technology advances or eliminating them altogether.

We would become a have not community.

We should all look to the future when it comes to improving the airport. We could bring more tourists here both Summer and Winter from many Countries and provinces, thus bringing tax dollars to the County. An improved airport would allow some STOL aircraft to land here with many more occupants and tourists spending money here. A perfect example of this is Mount Tremblaunt in Quebec. Porter Airlines flies there taking skiers there in the Winter. Guess what?, they spend money.

Look at Heatline at the airport, they pay taxes, employ people who pay taxes, live here and pay property taxes which I do believe supports ALL the tax base here.

If more companies were enticed to locate here at the airport, the tax base would increase and would not it eventually be self supporting?

Everyone involved should take a good hard look at what the benefits of this expansion could be and look to the future. It’s there for the taking, don’t let it slip away!

Barry Willhelm
Haliburton and Little Kennisis Lake.

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June 23

DEAR SIR!

This letter is just to inform you that I am in favour of the “Airport Expansion”.
As a former pilot, I can appreciate the situation of having  2 runways [basically at 00-180  &  90-270 degrees]
When your flying an airplane; you want to have as many ODDS in your favour as you can.

The existing runway cannot be lengthened, so the only logical recourse is to build a new “Cross Wind” runway.

Eddie Lehman

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June 22

WE MUST MOVE FORWARD … Progress may come with some inconveniences but to become stationary is to not GROW … bring on the Airport Expansion.

Concerned Neighbour

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June 22

Dear Diane Griffin

I am a free lance writer, a tourist and a frequent visitor to your area. My husband is a photographer and a graduate of Sault College’s airport wildlife management. We work for magazines including Canadian Trees, Ontario Arborist, Tree Care Industries, Tree Service Canada, Rock and Gem, Ontario Gardener, Birds & Blooms, WILD, Canadian Wildlife and many more. Although in this business you have to be versatile and write on many topics to succeed, my primary interest is the environment.

I am writing because I have heard the conflict about the airport expansion and wanted to provide an outside opinion.

We often accept John Parker’s hospitality and “camp” at the Stanhope airport for many reasons including it is quiet, interesting both environmentally and with the planes, well maintained, clean, accessible to all aviators and non aviators. The food at the flyins is fab. The washrooms are always in perfect order. The tall grass prairie, that is an airport field, is filled with a wonderful diverse selection of native species and a photographer’s dream landscape.

It is my opinion that adding a criss cross runway to the field will increase the usage and there for the long term sustainability of this natural landscape. Many of Ontario’s airports are dying. Tall grass prairie landscapes are the most endangered types of ecosystem in the world. Mowing the field on the traditional airport schedule ensures this oasis of grass land is sustained. The lack of pesticides and weed control allows natural succession of the native plants.

Stanhope Airport is an example to the rest of the province of good maintenance and common sense…with environmentally sound principles.

Supporting Stanhope airport is the environmentally sound thing to do. I challenge you to take a walk around the runway this fall during the monarch butterfly migration…..don’t forget to take your camera and guide to Ontario’s grasslands.

Thank you
Pat Kerr
(705) 932-5243

PS Tall grass prairies once covered 1000km2 of Ontario….now they are reduced to 21km2. We have already lost the Karner blue butterfly and no one knows how many more species. Please protect our tall grass prairies …and plant native grass land species at your cottage and home. This is a globally imperiled ecosystem!

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June 16

The attitude about the expansion of the Stanhope Airport never ceased to amaze me but the more I read lately the more it frightens me. People seem to forget about safety if it just might have an impact on a tiny bit of the ecology.  Not long ago I read an article in Cottage Life where people were griping about the unsightly communication tower that was near the end of 12 mile lake. How ugly it was and how it spoiled the beautiful view of the surrounding sky line.  Let’s  just ignore the fact that these same people complain about the fact that the cell phone reception in the area stunk and that one could not get a signal for most of 118.  Never mind the number of accidents on the road from hitting large animals or poor road conditions in the winter. Minor in nature when thinking about sitting out on the deck and seeing a tower.  Yet when miles of forest and swamp were disturbed, dug up, blasted to death and filled in to expand wonderful highway 35 were there folks out protesting..  Not a soul and why, because most of the taxpayers if not all use the road.  Well maybe the same people who are protesting the expansion should stop and think how they would feel if by some chance they needed the service of an air ambulance or the OPP or maybe a forest fire in the near area that we would need put out.  Is it not equally important that those people relying on the services or those providing the services have access to safe runways?  I do not have a current licence as I have let my medical laps for many years but I got my licence when I was 20 and lived in a family where my brothers flew and my father instructed and was a CFI.  I flew into may airports over the years, some  smaller that Stanhope and I can assure you that airports with cross wind runways are much safer and prevailing winds do not seem to know that they are to prevail when one is approaching a runway. Crabbing is wonderful if you are on the beach and looking for a sea food supper, it is not fun when trying to land.  I also have to laugh when I read the complaints about the increased traffic and noise that will be caused.  Do people honestly think pilots are going to be stacking up out there in the wild blue yonder just waiting to land because there is a second runway.  It is being put in for safety reasons and to allow some larger aircraft to land not to try and break some record for more landing in an hour than Pearson.  The same goes for the noise.  I work at Fenbrook Institution which the  medium security penitentiary located  smack right at the end of the runway at Muskoka..  Not only do we have numerous jets in that belong to the rich and famous of Muskoka’s cottage country but they tend to come in a tad low just to show the guests they might have on board,  what a federal pen looks like from the air.  Do I get rattled out of my office, do inmate dive for cover day in and day out, do we have to wear protective ear muffs.  No.  Very rarely  do I even hear them and that is usually when some big Hercules or something comes in for manoeuvres and sits on the apron  running up.  So maybe once or twice a year I hear the noise but believe me when I think of what our armed forces are doing for us, I feel pride not annoyance. Do I have any other vested interests other than what is mentioned,  Yes I am married to the airport manager.  I am proud of what he and the council are trying to do,  I am proud of the fact that someone is trying to bring jobs to the area and I am proud that those same people are fighting to make our area a safer place.  For those who think it should be stopped, I just hope you never have to use emergency services or are without a job.

Louise Packer

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Dear Sir

I fully support this economic expansion initiative by council. They are showing forward looking vision
for the future of the economic health of the community. They have taken advantage of major  funding
schemes from the other levels of government that normally are not available. In the world we live in
today you are only growing or withering and this council has shown they have the foresight to move
forward.

Hannu Halminen,  President, Halminem Homes
Kennisis Lake