Learn the facts about the airport, area's pilots

As a commercial and professional pilot, aircraft owner, Sandpoint native, 24-year-old who is always advocating for the best of my hometown, I’d like to answer some ignorant and offensive statements made by Maureen Tillberg about the airport.

Aircraft that fly in are tourists/businesses/homeowners choosing different transportation than you choose. Money spent is least at the actual airport. They use local taxis and Ubers (there are three) to get to town/AirBNB/hotel; hiring locals. In town they enjoy restaurants and shops; buying local.

Quoting you, “a group of rich, aircraft owners,” I am not rich, my family is not rich, the airport is simply people who fly. Sandpoint High School ACES is a high school group that learn to build and fly aircraft. Money is raised via fundraising and donations; not rich. Sandpoint airport is in no way private, it is completely public. Encouraging visitors, we take children for rides organized by an aviation group, and hold a fly-in open to all aircraft from anywhere and the community to enjoy airplanes and learn. All hangars and land are taxed. All purchases are at the higher rate per Sandpoint’s sales tax. Rest assured that we are all pulling our weight relative to taxes.

I understand the frustration of a possible investment not working out, but maybe it’d be advantageous to not assume you can force a zone change for your personal benefit and sticking the rest of us with the consequences. The mayor is concerned about his citizens and thus why he is vetoing your request.

EMMA CARTER

Sandpoint