[CPEO-MEF] Arizona Encroachment

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

>From Sandra M. Steele <Maico55@aol.com>

Having lived in Moreno Valley, CA, adjacent to March AFB, I applaud the
efforts to protect the bases in Arizona, particularly Luke, from land
uses that are in conflict with the mission of the bases. Enacting these
laws will be the easiest part of the protection of the bases. The most
difficult task will be to uphold the laws and the intent of the laws in
the face of tremendous public pressure. To uphold these laws equally for
all citizens will be a major task for Planning Commissions and City
Councils. Political pressure from landowners surrounding the base will
be very hard to withstand but if they hold to their laws, maybe
Arizona's bases will not be prime targets for future BRAC decisions. 

A few years before March Air Force Base was targeted by BRAC, a teacher
in a school that was affected by the flight path of the base was
interviewed concerning the fact that his class had made rockets and
aimed them at the Air Force planes as they flew overhead. Thankfully,
there were no hits but schools and flight paths do not constitute a good
mix of land uses. In the years prior to BRAC at March, the pilots knew
when to zig zag around certain houses because they knew if they flew
directly over the houses that the occupants of the house would complain
to the Wing Commander about excess noise. In my opinion, those pilots
should have had their attention on flying not on avoiding noise
complaints. Many of these home occupants called so often that the pilots
and Wing Commander and Base Commander knew them on a first name basis.
No one wanted to remember that the base was there before they moved into
the impact area of the base. 

It is my sincere hope that the officials in Arizona will withstand the
pressures that will certainly come their way and will uphold the laws
that they pass for the protection of the economic welfare of their
communities as well as for the protection of the military mission. 

Sincerely, 

Sandra M. Steele 
1361 E. Snowball Circle 
Sandy, UT 84092 
<Maico55@aol.com>

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