Downeast airport

The Aug. 8 meeting held in the Jonesboro Elementary School was meant to provide the citizens of Jonesboro with information on the Downeast Regional Airport proposed for this tiny community. No solid information was forthcoming. It is now clear that this proposed airport in Jonesboro, or anywhere for that matter, is really nothing but a very expensive “toy” for a very few people who haven’t a clue what this will end up costing the citizens of Washington County, nor do they seem to care.

The members of the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) who spearheaded this grand scheme, along with the selectmen and women of Machias and Jonesboro, have all shown considerable disregard for the citizens of Jonesboro in particular, and the citizens of Washington County in general.

Why would anyone want to locate a runway capable of handling large jets and cargo planes one and a half miles from the Jonesboro Elementary School, then orient it so that it is pointed directly at the school? This project is a financial and environmental disaster waiting to happen. It has got to stop right now before it becomes a disaster of another kind.

The citizens of Machias and Jonesboro deserve better, and ought to think long and hard when it comes time to vote for their selectmen and women.

Les Simon

Jonesboro