I am writing this letter because several people have spoken to me after reading your Nov. 10 front-page story (‘Low-flying planes scaring residents’) and have said to me: “you are against the airport.”
I presented to the Qualicum Beach committee of the whole regarding the airport business plan. My opening remark was: we love our airport, use its services often and appreciate having a facility for medevacs.
I said we have concerns over low-level aircraft and the generated noise. Some fly dangerously close to the treetops.
We need protection and are asking for dialogue with the Airport User Committee but we were told that although we can attend, we are not allowed to speak.
This does not allow for transparency or direct communication with the public. We asked if a rep from Qualicum Woods could be on this committee and were told these positions were filled.
We can understand the tenants of the airport having this committee, but perhaps there should be a ratepayers’ committee from the general public as well.
I concluded, that if we expand the airport (without taking care of the present problem of low-flying over houses), the problems we discussed above will only get worse.
It does not at all mean we are against the airport, quite the contrary, but that the present problems have to be improved to show responsibility going forward.
Carol Dowe
Qualicum Beach