PARTNERS @ Solberg - News and Events: Recent News

I am writing this letter to you in order to correct misinformation published by the Readington Township Committee in their letter dated September 4, 2001. Your Township Committee continues to pursue condemnation of the Solberg family property.

The Township Committee's letter stated, "The group (PARTNERS@Solberg) first banded together to promote the approval of a proposed expansion of the airport." NOT TRUE! PARTNERS' first banded together to correct the absurdly false statements being made by the Township, by BRAAC members and others about Boeing 747's and other commercial jets being planned for this airport in our community. We have been diligently educating citizens, the media and others for almost two years on aviation terminology, devices and benefits helping them to see inside the crystal ball of the future as to what to expect for Solberg Airport.

PARTNERS@Solberg is a non-profit educational organization incorporated for the purpose of providing information and educating area residents about general aviation's benefits to the community.

The Township letter stated, "This (PARTNERS) is an organization made up largely of a group of pilots...". NOT TRUE! Our membership includes residents, local business representatives and people from the general aviation community. Most of our members are local business leaders, some of whom are also pilots. They are business people and area residents who understand the value, advantages and economic benefits that general aviation provides to their families, businesses and to their community.

Our mission is simply stated but it is a very difficult one...

PARTNERS' Mission

To serve as a resource of information and to be advocates on aviation related issues of importance to community citizens, general aviation pilots, and airport managers.
To enhance aviation industry professionalism and assist airport service providers, airport sponsors and owners, elected officials, and airport users to stay ahead of the growing needs of general aviation, aircraft owners, and pilots.
To identify and solve issues before they become divisive problems and to make significant contributions to general aviation both at the home airport and on a statewide level.

The Township letter stated, "the expansion proposal would utilize a $22 million dollar grant from the FAA..." NOT TRUE! The NJ Department of Transportation has given conditional approval for a variety of safety improvements. The FAA's portion of these improvements is $12,928,500 (in 1996 dollars). And these funds come from the aviation trust fund that was created to be able to pay for just these types of improvements in our aviation infrastructure. The State of New Jersey's portion is $718,250 and the Solberg's portion is $2,018,250 (all in 1996 dollars).

The NJ Department of Transportation has also publicly stated that, based on the forecasted aviation demand, they see no need to approve any main runway lengthening beyond the 565 foot addition already conditionally approved. This means that another main runway lengthening would not be foreseen for at least the 15 year planning horizon.

The Solberg families have been good stewards of their lands for over 60 years and have kept this land as open space at no cost to the residents. They have had a deer management program on their land for many years before Hunterdon County and the Township jumped on the bandwagon this year by putting certain public lands out for bid with local hunting groups. The Solberg families have also publicly stated that it is their intent to keep this land as open space at no cost to the Readington taxpayers.

I urge all of you to read between the lines of information coming from the Township and to ask questions about what this condemnation is going to cost us as taxpayers. Make sure you get an honest, full, complete and straight answer. Do you really want your township to condemn the Solberg's property... to own and operate a general aviation airport?... to be responsible for the farming operations on this land? Remember that you elected these people to the Township Committee and they are your representatives. If you do not oppose this action, you are a party to the condemnation.

Sincerely,

PARTNERS@Solberg
Bridgewater, NJ
www.partners-solberg.org
solberg773@partners-solberg.org

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STOP the CONDEMNATION of PRIVATE PROPERTY!

If you are interested in joining PARTNERS @ Solberg or are interested in helping us educate and inform area residents about the benefits of general aviation, please contact us for information about joining our group that is dedicated to finding effective reasonable solutions!

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