Meigs Field gone without warning

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | April 1, 2003 | Bob Herguth and Dave McKinney

[Writer1]

In a stunning move decried by critics as "the epitome of arrogance," Mayor Daley closed down Meigs Field by tearing up its only runway--without warning pilots, air traffic controllers or many of his political allies.

A combative mayor said he was staving off possible terrorist attacks from the skies over the Loop, and that the quick action was necessary to avoid a protracted battle with Meigs supporters.

But to those supporters, Daley's motivation was clear: For years he has wanted the 80 or so acres for a park, and now he's shamelessly using these anxious times as an excuse to fulfill Daniel Burnham's vision for Chicago's lakefront.

"From our perspective, this is a pure and simple land grab,'' said Steve Whitney, founder of the Friends of Meigs Field. "It really has nothing to do with homeland security. It will make homeland security worse" because there no longer will be a manned control tower around.

"Creepy" was how the current president, Rachel Goodstein, described Daley's methods.

Around 11:30 p.m. Sunday--the airport is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.--heavy equipment under police escort arrived at Meigs and began tearing into the 3,899-foot-long runway, carving huge "X's" and horizontal marks into the grooved asphalt to prevent aircraft from using the strip.

"If it was a fear of terrorists, he could have just closed us" without doing such damage, a Meigs controller said. "By doing this it makes it too expensive for the state or federal government to say, 'We'll buy it from you.' This guarantees him his park."

Even as critics prepared to sue the city to reopen Meigs, they conceded the city seems within its rights since it operates the airfield and it sits on Park District property. A Daley aide, while denying the motive behind closing Meigs was to build a park, said "it's safe to say it will eventually be a park."

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was "concerned" by the city's move. "Removing any centrally located airport such as Meigs from the national airspace system only diminishes capacity and puts added pressure on O'Hare and Midway airports," the agency said in a statement.

A top FAA official in Chicago was notified of Meigs' closing after being awakened by a 2 a.m. call from a city official, an FAA spokesman said.

[justshutupandtakeit]

This airport belonged to the City thus, Daley had every right to do this. Takings have nothing to do with it.

It seems to have universally infuriated everyone, though. LoL. Even non-airheads.

[LauraJean]

One of the air traffic controllers called up this morning on Don Wade and Roma. He said it was too dangerous to take off from the taxiway.
By the way one the libraians I work with was upset because another one orderd a book for his collection. His remark was ''what's she going to do next. Tear up another Midway.''

[fight_truth_decay]

And the rest of the story not reported here in Midnight Raid!

Sixteen airplanes are stranded there, and may have to be trucked to another site..the action, while unusual, appears to be legal because all federal loans to build the facility have been repaid and the decision to keep it open lies with the city. Past research indicates that the law hasn't been broken.

While popular with enthusiasts and business charters, Meigs Field has not had regular commercial flights for years.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63428-2003Mar31.html

[RogueIsland]

This airport belonged to the City thus, Daley had every right to do this.

At one time it was within the rights of Samurai to behead peasants who "offended" them, too. Didn't make it any less an abuse of power.

[IronJack]

One of the Left's tactics: Always present a controversial proposal as a fait accompli. Let inertia do for you what conscience cannot. Or, in simpler terms, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

[Sender]

Illinois belongs in the same category with the Axis of Weasels.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Identify your STATE Senator/Representative.

Enter your zipcode.

May reqiure street address, ie. Split district issue

Next choice - Congress, State, Local. Select “State” and press GO.

* Click here for Senator/Representative *

http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials

Write your editor or letter to your local newspaper.

Enter your zipcode.

* Click here for local newspapers *

http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/media/.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[SENTINEL]

I knew it....Enter the bureaucrat. This collateral damage is unconstitutional, and Daley can claim it was the Feds that caused the problem.

Next he'll tell the folks to spend the tens of thousands to have their aircraft disassembled and transported. Don't forget the recertification process. Turn in your reciepts and we'll review them, he'll say.

Outrageous !

[fight_truth_decay]

Too late !

[Maximum Leader]

You're right. The one thing that could leave the city open to a lawsuit is the cost of moving the planes. Since Daley said the city would pay for the cost of moving the planes, there's really nothing wrong with what he did.

You can argue it's a stupid decision, but the mayor is responsible for Chicago's public safety and if he thinks closing the airport makes the city safer, it's his call.

[taxcontrol]

Please explain how this was an "illegal taking".

Property in question belongs to the city (y/n)?
Run ways in question belong to the the city (y/n)?

Granted the owners of any aircraft stranded at the airport might have a claim for the fair market value of the aircraft or costs for relocating their aircraft.

Those who have rented facilities at the airfield could also be due compensation if the action violated any contractal terms.


But I still fail to see where there was a taking of anything.

[fight_truth_decay]

No matter what anyone says about the present day Daley (not dad's years)on how he gets things done..the city has turned into a beautiful place to live, work and play. I look at how it benefits the whole city and not just a few.

My kind of town..Chicago is..My kind of town!

[Zorrito]

Drunk or sober, Mayor Daily is always a Democrat. What else can you expect from him?

[taxcontrol]

Federal Jurisdiction and City ownership are two different things.

The FAA defines how airports shall operate. The FAAs jurisdiction was lost when the location ceased to be an airport.

[Question_Assumptions]

A combative mayor said he was staving off possible terrorist attacks from the skies over the Loop, and that the quick action was necessary to avoid a protracted battle with Meigs supporters.

Leftist thugs never let the voice of the people or democracy get in their way. Just imagine what methods this thug would justify using in a less free country to get his way. This is why leftists must be kept out of power.

[xdem]

Aircraft owners paid for space to park their aircraft. There's been no word that they will be refunded their rental fees. That, at minimum, is a unjust taking.

Plus the aircraft owners are without use of their aircraft for a long period. That, also, is a unjust taking.

[mhking]

The apple didn't fall too far from the tree....

[Darheel]

If this was the willful destruction of FAA-regulated property, it seems that the Office of Homeland Security should be contacted, and investigation opened, and a criminal warrant be issued immediately for a Grand Jury hearing in the local district and federal courts. I'm not a lawyer, but speed is of the essence to preserve evidence, and yes I think it's fascism, ala Chritien.

[Falcon4.0]

Yes, but interference of an airport is a violation isn't it? (i.e.) Destroying an active runway which is by law still open to aircraft without notifying the nearest Flight Service and or issuing a "Notice to Airman" (NOTAM).
Just asking. Please don't beat me?

[taxcontrol]

No, failure to comply with a contract condiction (rental agreement) is not a "taking".

Taking is a legal term that means property was seized improperly or with out the owners permission.

Leaving aircraft owners with a usable aircraft is also NOT a taking. The city did not seize the aircraft.

Perhaps a nit pick on terminology