Since it was built in 1939 by Thor Solberg Sr. -- a Norwegian immigrant whose passion for flying drew him to opportunity-rich America -- Solberg-Hunterdon Airport has served generations of recreational and business fliers, changing little throughout the years.
Readington grew up around the airport, adding schools and houses but maintaining a peaceful coexistence with the airport -- once a place for the curious to catch a glimpse of their first plane and, lately, mobbed by crowds at the annual Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning.
Now -- and perhaps inevitably -- the airport and increasingly preservation-minded township disagree over who should control the Solberg family’s 726 acres of airport and open space.
Readington says the Solbergs are quietly planning an expansion that could allow larger and noisier jets to operate. Any improvement, officials say, might even encourage federal officials to consider Solberg as the fourth major metropolitan-area jetport.
If Readington gets its way, the airport will remain more or less frozen in time, operated by the Solbergs, who would be permitted to make necessary safety and operational improvements.
The township on Tuesday will ask voters for permission to borrow $22 million to acquire the open space and the development rights to the airport.
But the property isn’t for sale, say the Solbergs, who want to continue their father’s dream, making some improvements for larger planes and for safety along the way. They point to 70 years as responsible neighbors and stewards and say they have never done a thing to harm Readington’s property values or quality of life.
The Solbergs deny any intention to expand the airport and say that Readington is masking its intention eminent domain to acquire their family business at the expense of Readington taxpayers.
Voters will have to sort out these contradictory predictions on the airport’s future, and there are other issues that might hold sway: a business owner’s right to operate, a town’s right to preserve open space for the public good and, increasingly, whether a town can condemn and take land to prevent development of any kind.
Courier News editors recently met with the parties on both sides of the issue to discuss the referendum, the airport and its future. One meeting was with Readington Township Committee member Julia Allen and Mayor Gerard Shamey. Another was with airport co-owner Thor Solberg.
The following is a summary of some of the key points made by Allen, Shamey, Solberg and other involved parties on issues of significance regarding the referendum and the future of Solberg-Hunterdon Airport.
from the Courier News website www.c-n.com
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Date: May 14, 2006 Source: C-N.com — Courier News Online
URL: http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/NEWS/605140359
