Letter: The county needs many resources, but an airport isn’t one of them

Just wanted to share my opinion on the proposed new airport in Portage County. I think it is a very bad idea and not needed. I surely applaud folks who “think big” for the future of our community, but this project does not fit that template. We already have underutilized airports in nearby Cleveland, Akron-Canton, Youngstown and Pittsburgh.

I would prefer and suggest our tax money be invested in our schools. We need better pay and equipment for our first responders, police and road crews. Our roads are in horrible shape. Our internet/broadband is a joke. I have the best internet I can purchase in the area, and it is just a few steps ahead of smoke signals.

I would love to have natural gas available as a utility on my road to mitigate my excessive electric bills.

There is already excess pollution in our area from the Ohio Turnpike traffic that blesses us with stress-inducing noise and light pollution, plus the gift that keeps on giving… noxious emissions.

Not exactly sure where the airport is to be located, and I see the property north of I-80 and west of state Route 44 is wide open, but not big enough for a real airport in my estimation.

The property is bordered by the Cuyahoga River, the Ohio Turnpike, Ohio Edison/First Energy high voltage 362 kV power lines, a protected wetland area and state Route 44.

I am sure some billionaire could invoke eminent domain to move all of these things, which brings me to the money. If we want to know who is proposing this boondoggle, just follow the money. The rest of us be damned.

I have also sent a copy of this letter to representative the Honorable Ms. Gail Pavliga via the state house website.

Jim Elsey, Mantua