Election: November 3, 2009
Sharon Township Trustee
Candidates reply to questions submitted by WOOSE.
4 candidates seek your vote
for
2 Sharon Township Trustee positions.
To assist voters in understanding candidates' position on OSU airport noise and the proposed expansion, WOOSE submitted 8 questions to the candidates.
For your review and consideration the questions posted are followed by the candidates' replies. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
WOOSE encourages all residents to vote Tues., November 3, 2009.
1. Please identify what impact positive /negative you believe The OSU Airport and its aircraft operations have on Sharon Township and its residents.
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John Haueisen: Although airport supporters claim the airport is "good for business," it has not been demonstrated what specific "good" things the airport does for Sharon Township residents. On the other hand, many township residents experience noisy disruptions of phone calls, outdoor gatherings, and even conversations indoors, on a daily (and nightly!) basis. The cumulative noise does not disrupt sleep nearly so much as loud, noises like the roar of a jet over your roof. Such single-event noises startle people, and wake them up, and deprive them of the sound sleep necessary for good health.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: As most of us are very concerned on how this noise impacts our way of living during the day and many times at night. I have had personal experience with the low flying small jets. At times the noise was as problematic as the shaking of the windows in my home.
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John Oberle: OSU Airport and its aircraft operations ("airport") have been in operations since around 1942. There is a balance with airports where they can both provide a benefit to a community and a burden because of noise issues. The airport provides needed training to students and is a general aviation facility. I have worked on several projects at Port Columbus and I know the economic impact an airport can have for a community. However, for residents in the flight path, the airport does create additional noise which significantly impacts a lot of our residents.
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2. What impacts do you believe the proposed extension of the North Runway at The OSU Airport will have on Sharon Township and its residents?
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John Haueisen: The extension of the North Runway is likely to invite an increase in larger, heavier aircraft that generate far more noise each time they take off or land.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: As for the proposed expansion of the North runway, I am concerned for our community's safety and the increased noise that could be heard from the ground. I also understand having the airport is a positive for those who live and work in Worthington and surrounding areas.
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John Oberle: First, it depends on the type of construction of the runway. Based on what I have been told, if an expansion occurs, the airport would not construct the runway at a maximum weight level that would allow larger planes to land. If this assumption is correct, than the main impacts will likely be: (1) the ability of more aircraft to use the north runway because of greater landing area; and (2) extending the take off and departure areas on the North Runway which may bring aircraft closer to areas of the Township. If my assumption is not correct, and the construction of a North Runway expansion allows larger aircraft, than an additional impact would be increased noise as larger aircraft generally tend to make more noise than smaller aircraft (though this is not always the case depending on the age of the aircraft and the type of engine). Irrespective of either scenario, it is possible that portions of the Township may see an increase and some portions of the Township may see a decrease in aircraft noise if all larger aircraft are shifted to the North Runway. I have not seen conclusive proof of this though.
3. How should these impacts be addressed by Sharon Township?
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John Haueisen: Sharon Township should use every opportunity to question the benefits of changes at the airport and to urge OSU to make every possible effort to make the airport a quieter, more considerate neighbor to the surrounding community.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: As for my role as your next trustee, I would want to seek further ways in being an active participant attending one of your meetings, and hope to help WOOSE to provide a Win-Win solution on any further expansion at the OSU Airport that affects our quality of living.
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John Oberle: These impacts should be fully understood and vetted prior to any decision to expand the North Runway. Decisions need to be informed and all residents should be educated about the pros and the cons prior to an expansion decision. I would like to see articles in our local papers at some point every week (for a period of time) to educate our residents on all that has taken place in contemplation of an expansion decision. The Township also needs to seek out input from our residents. I have been to almost every home in the Township over the last few months and it has afforded me better perspective on this issue which is needed if the Township is going to be helpful on this issue.
4. What should be Sharon Township's role regarding the extension of the North Runway and the ongoing impacts of aircraft noise on residents?
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John Haueisen: The Township should oppose anything that would increase the dumping of "noise trash" (the byproduct of operating their business) down onto the rooftops and yards of Sharon Township residents.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: I will admit that my knowledge in these concerns for both sides is limited to the printed news. I would want to seek more information from both sides on the reasons why they are spending so much time and energy on the expansion.
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John Oberle: The Township's role is to participate, listen, learn, educate, and advocate for the best result for our residents. Until a decision is made, the Township needs to continue to work with our residents, and the airport, to make sure everyone understands the issues. The Township needs to also make sure answers are provided so our residents are fully informed on airport issues. This is something the Township has a good track record on.
5. As a Sharon Township Trustee, what do you see as your role regarding the extension of the North Runway and the ongoing impacts of aircraft noise on residents?
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John Haueisen: Township trustees should speak and use any tools available to them in opposition to anything that would increase the already bothersome noise problem.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: I feel that with joint assistance along with the City of Worthington and Sharon Township Trustees joining together we can bring a plethora of different points to explore and locate possible other avenues for your group to seek assistance with this important issue.
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John Oberle: Same as question 4, but in a leadership role. I would like to continue to be the lead on this issue for the Township so we are not educating someone new on all the issues. As you may know, I have been on the advisory committee for the airport since first being elected Trustee of Sharon Township. I care about this issue.
6. Do you believe there is a need for an expanded Corporate Jet Center at OSU Airport? Why or why not?
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John Haueisen: There is certainly NOT a need for an expanded Corporate Jet Center at the OSU airport! The founding purpose of the OSU airport was for an aviation education program—not for flying around corporate executives. We already have Port Columbus for that, and the also nearby Rickenbacker and Bolton Field airports would be better choices for accommodating the needs of corporations.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: One of the main concerns is the economic impact for our community, home values, and safety. We do not need, for the OSU Airport to add a Corporate Jet Center which will increase the number of planes going over our city. Unless it is a win/win situation for the Sharon Township area and them.
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John Oberle: I am not sure what is exactly meant as a Corporate Jet Center. It depends on whether it will increase aircraft traffic. I would not like to see air traffic increase in our community at all. However, initially, I do not have a problem with an expanded Corporate Jet Center to serve OSU's existing base. Existing structures always need to be kept modern.
7. What impact would an expanded Corporate Jet Center at OSU have on the airports operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (Port Columbus, Rickenbacker and Bolton Field)?
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John Haueisen: Expansion of a Corporate Jet Center at OSU airport would be a distortion of OSU airport's original purpose as an education facility. It would also provide OSU airport with an unfair advantage, as it is run by an entity receiving taxpayer funding—Ohio State University. I think it might be appropriate to add here that OSU airport fails to participate alongside other Ohio airports in the programming and planning of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
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Linda Jarrett: I have no opinion on it. I don't know enough to go one way or another. If elected I will look into it.
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Edward Johnston: This is something for the other airports to check to see how much it will inhibit their revenue and bottom line. This might just help us when it comes to OSU finding out if it is feasible/cost effective for them to spend the moneys for this endeavor.
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John Oberle: There is only so much business, so I would think an expanded Corporate Jet Center would cut into operations at other Central Ohio airports. I know air traffic is often dictated by where customers want to fly, but our regional airport system must continue to plan together to limit duplication and costs.
Additional comments:
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Edward Johnston: I have worked with airport industry after 9/11 regarding security / safety and will bring a level of understanding with my background with Homeland Security / EMA and Law Enforcement.
