Thank you to all who made it out to vote on the important LifeFlight runway extension vote on Jan. 9 as well as those who voted absentee in advance.
Thank you to all the people who spent countless hours working on this project so far from Dubois & King, LifeFlight, and MaineDOT to the many local businesses and residents who advocated for it, those who took time out of their schedule to attend the meetings and research it as well as writing articles in the local papers and to our government officials.
It has been an amazing experience being a part of this great opportunity for our community. I’ve learned a lot of valuable information and met some great people during the process.
When you work with a group of people that are as passionate as you are about a project, then great things can result. The overwhelming approval of this project was a testament to that. It was not easy, but nothing great ever comes from an easy road. The other side put up a hard fight and kept us on our toes along the way. Their tactics and strategies sometimes put some of us over the edge, but we never backed down. I firmly believe that if we all had not put in the effort in getting the information out, the result would have been much different. If we would have gotten the typical 140-150 voters like we did on the special town vote last year, this amazing opportunity might not have been possible.
Again, I applaud everyone’s hard work on this, it was a total team effort throughout. This was a great moment for the region, and I am enthusiastic about the future ahead.
Kyle Haley
Rangeley
‘Lifeflight runway extension’. Way to sell it! Makes it sound so necessary in saving lives when in reality it will get a few richer fatcats with bigger planes access to the region on the taxpayers backs.
Captain Planet, if you attended the meetings you would know that local taxpayers will not be paying a dime for the construction of this extension. 90% of the funds come from the FAA general aviation fund which is collected through a tax on airline tickets across the country. 5% by MaineDOT and 5% match from the town that will be covered entirely by fill being used from the adjacent town property.
Kyle, Every penny you speak of comes from a taxpayer, I never said anything about local.
Captain Planet, Yes, it does indeed. But again you seem not to understand that this money was being spent regardless if it were in Rangeley or any other airport project. If Rangeley didn’t get it, then it would be spent at another location. The money is budgeted and will be spent, so what makes us any less deserving than any other airport around the country? LifeFlight was called 40 times last year alone and could not make it to us 17 times due to weather or availability….so yes, it has the potential to save lives and those lives are just as deserving as the rest of locations as well. My last question to you is why hide your name? We are all just expressing our views on here, no one is out to get anyone.
Captain Planet, its really not that bad Tax payers with bad backs will not be air lifted out, they’ll have to use the new bus service
The original runway proposal met resistance when there was no mention of Lifeflight. Then someone had the bright idea to put lipstick on the pig and the masses heartstrings were pulled. And your logic, or lack of, that the money is there and someone has to spend it is one of the main ways liberals eventually destroy every democracy.
My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Planet, stand by the name they gave their son.
Since when do neocons disapprove of giveaways to the rich? That is the whole cornerstone of their “movement”.
Captain Planet, there was no “original runway proposal” that you mentioned. There was talk of it during the planning of the future, but no actual proposal brought to the table until this opportunity came up. The last proposal was completed during 1997-1998 when the runway was extended from 2700′ to 3200′. I’d suggest you check your facts before calling me a liberal too. Furthest thing from it my friend. For someone that appears to not like liberals, I am surprised that you enjoy hiding your name online. Your wording and sentence structure sound very familiar to someone else I know that has been against this project that also likes hiding their name.
@ PFC Planet
“it will get a few richer fatcats with bigger planes access to the region on the taxpayers backs.”
Enhanced access to one of the State’s more recognized traveled to outdoor/four season “recreational” areas is a bad thing?
Sign at Smalls Falls “Picnic Here,, Turn Around, Rangeley Is Closed………..Pick Up A Corn Dog In Phillips On Ya Way South On RT 4”
Planet is harmless. He doesn’t even drive or vote. Thankfully.
I have many liberal friends. Do you guys dislike everyone you feel are misguided?
I drive a Prius haha!! Not to Rangeley though, finally I’ll be able to land my plane there.
Surprise, I voted for Trump!