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Election: November 3, 2009

Worthington City Council 

Candidates reply to questions submitted by WOOSE

5 candidates seek your vote

for

4 seats on Worthington City Council

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 the City of Worthington and its residents.

• Mike Duffey: While there is an economic benefit to having an airport nearby, the noise pollution caused by OSU Don Scott air traffic is also a legitimate concern for residents, with a negative effect on quality of life and property values in Worthington.

• DJ Falcoski: As far as I am aware, Worthington Steel and DLZ are the only two Worthington businesses with aircraft based at OSU.  Some residents do use the airport recreationally.  Save these two potential income producers, the airport is not a source of income for the City of Worthington.  I don't know of any residents who regularly use the airport for travel.  The negatives are many: disruption of sleep, interruption of daily life, decreased / decreasing property values.  The extension of the runway will place descending jets and high performance aircraft on final approach over the Village Green, Old Worthington, and the residential neighborhoods of Worthington.

• David Foust: While I believe that OSU has a right to operate the airport, I feel it is an asset to the community only as a training facility and a field for small aircraft.  I am awakened by corporate jet aircraft early in the morning and feel the negative impacts of a corporate airport far outweigh the advantages. Note: Candidate Foust included additional background information which follows the 8 Q/A.

• Lou Goorey: The OSU Airport has been identified as a positive factor in the economy and economic development of the City. The OSU Airport has helped attract businesses, notably the headquarters of Worthington Industries. The negative impacts are associated with the noise the aircraft produce. As jet traffic has increased, so too has the impact of their noise on residents of Worthington. The City established a voluntary noise reporting system which documented 9,888 complaints from 233 households. In most complaints, the residents were able to identify the type of aircraft involved, and the majority of the time it was a jet. However, OSU has noisy aircraft in its training fleet. There are times when residents are impacted by repetitive patterns of aircraft overflying homes every few minutes for several hours. Note: Candidate Goorey included additional background as well as an overview of the Part 150 process which follows the 8 Q/A.

• Scott Myers: As I understand the arguments, an expanded runway will permit a different class of larger executive jets to land at Don Scott.  It is also my understanding that proponents argue that these new jets will facilitate greater commerce and therefore, economic development in the airport region. The question then becomes whether the increased economic stimulus will outweigh the obvious reduction in the quality of life of residents surrounding the airport.  As a resident of Colonial Hills I know first hand the impact Don Scott has had on my neighbors and family.  Personally, I am aware of no economic impact it has had for the better on my life, but am aware of the detrimental effects it has had on the quiet enjoyment of my home.  Regardless of the outcome of this election, I am deeply troubled by the proposal to increase the expansion of the North Runway and related facilities.

2. What impacts do you believe the proposed extension of the North Runway at The OSU Airport will have on the City of Worthington and its residents?

• Mike Duffey: I believe that a runway expansion may increase private jet flight operations at the airport, as well as noise pollution for nearby communities. Secondary impacts include the development of land along State Route 161 and Case Road, increasing traffic for nearby residents. There would be some economic benefit, but the question is whether that might be outweighed by its negative impact on nearby home values.

• DJ Falcoski: The extension of the North runway will only add to the problems listed above (in question 1).  The residents that are directly impacted by the noise that will be attributed to this runway will not only include those currently effected, but will add many more newly affected residents.

• David Foust: I believe there will be more commercial jet traffic, larger planes, and more noise.  Although I have heard arguments that an expanded airport will, in general, add to the economic well being of Worthington, I have seen nothing to back this up, and do not believe there will be any significant benefit to the community.  I believe the primary reason for the expansion is additional fuel sales and airport service costs that will benefit OSU.

• Lou Goorey: In 2003, the City of Worthington asked OSU to address these impacts by preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and by doing a federally funded Part 150 Noise Study. We also asked, and OSU agreed, to conduct a thorough Single Event noise study. As noted above, the Part 150 Noise Study has been completed. However, we have not seen the results of any Single Event studies. OSU representatives, including the then Dean of the College of Engineering, repeatedly promised to do these studies. These studies will help delineate more specific impacts the North Runway extension will have on residents.

• Scott Myers: Additional noise pollution can only have a negative impact.
   

3. How should these impacts be addressed by the City of Worthington?

• Mike Duffey: The city should continue to encourage the university to focus on its teaching mission, and not to pursue financial gain at the expense of nearby communities. The city should be an advocate for residents in proposing a solution to the issue.

• DJ Falcoski: The City of Worthington, including City Council, should follow through with ALL of the recommendations presented in the Comprehensive plan, including  a full Environmental Impact Study, Part 150 Noise Study, and, in my opinion, a single event noise study so the residents can rest assured that they know the impact of the extension from a noise standpoint.  If it is proven that the construction and implementation of the north runway will NOT adversely impact the residents, so be it.  The City needs to be very careful to ensure that it fully understands the differences between what is required (per FAA and other regulators) and what the requirements really mean from an actual sound standpoint.  We should not settle for the acceptance of minimum requirements.  Particular attention needs to be given to the impact of "single events".  It is the single events that disturb residents, not the average noise.  It's the single event that produced the 9,800 complaints submitted by Worthington residents to the noise complaint system.

• David Foust: While the City of Worthington has no regulatory authority over OSU, I feel we should continue to question their plans and motives, encourage OSU to be cooperative and forthcoming with information, and say "No" to any expansion plans unless OSU can establish to the satisfaction of the area residents that expansion is in everyone's best interest.

• Lou Goorey: The Ohio State University, as operator of the airport, and the OSU Airport have the responsibility to address both the existing noise and the impact of the proposed North Runway extension. Until this is done, Worthington should not support the runway extension.

• Scott Myers: I believe questions 3, 4, 5 involve the same central question and as such I will address them together.  As a member of City Council, I am elected to represent the interests of those who chose me to serve.  I am convinced that a substantial number of Worthington residents are opposed to the expansion and therefore, I would be shirking my representative duties as a council member if I did not aggressively advance these interests.  As with many council decisions, there are both political and financial considerations.  My political opposition to the expansion is firm.  The city's financial support is more circumspect given the period of economic uncertainty we find ourselves in.  Spending is a question of both ability and priority.  It is difficult to prioritize all fiscal matters at this point.

4. What should be the City of Worthington's role regarding the extension of the North Runway and the ongoing impacts of aircraft noise on Worthington residents?

• Mike Duffey: The city should continue to encourage the university to focus on its teaching mission, and not to pursue financial gain at the expense of nearby communities. The city should be an advocate for residents in proposing a solution to the issue.

• DJ Falcoski: The goal should be to protect the quality of life and property values of the residents. The long range plans for all of the OSU airport area should be reviewed and understood by the City and potential impacts conveyed to appropriate parties

• David Foust: Again, while we are not the regulatory agency, I think the City should continue to be represented at meetings, and take a public stand that any expansion is unwarranted until proven otherwise.  I believe there may be an advantage to contacting our state and federal legislators and requesting their involvement in the matter, as final decisions will be approved at their level.

• Lou Goorey: The studies need to be completed, particularly the Single event studies. Worthington should hold OSU to this commitment before OSU decides to proceed with any expansion or runway extension.

• Scott Myers: I believe questions 3, 4, 5 involve the same central question and as such I will address them together.  As a member of City Council, I am elected to represent the interests of those who chose me to serve.  I am convinced that a substantial number of Worthington residents are opposed to the expansion, and therefore, I would be shirking my representative duties as a council member if I did not aggressively advance these interests.  As with many council decisions, there are both political and financial considerations.  My political opposition to the expansion is firm.  The city's financial support is more circumspect given the period of economic uncertainty we find ourselves in.  Spending is a question of both ability and priority.  It is difficult to prioritize all fiscal matters at this point

5. As a Worthington City Council member, what do you see as your role regarding the extension of the North Runway and the ongoing impacts of aircraft noise on Worthington residents?

• Mike Duffey: Since the beginning, I have stood with residents in my advocacy for maintaining the quality of life we've come to enjoy in Worthington.  While others have avoided stating a clear position, I have been flatly opposed to the expansion plans since 2005.

• DJ Falcoski: My role is to make sure that the residents and other City officials involved: Understand the science and reality of measuring sound.  Noise issues are complex and easy to "spin" Make sure everyone in Worthington understands the direct correlation between noise pollution and property values. Search for and reach out to those at the OSU Airport that have the ability to stop or redesign the airport expansion.  I will search and reach out to those at the Airport that have the ability to stop or redesign the extension.

• David Foust: If the decision were up to me, I would vote down the expansion at this point in time (but we have no actual vote).  I will continue to question the expansion plans unless OSU can come up with a proposal that satisfies the area resident concerns.

• Lou Goorey: As President of City Council, I helped steer the adoption of Worthington's Comprehensive Plan which put forth a reasonable and proactive position on these issues. At both public meetings (OSU Board of Trustees) and private meetings with the Dean of the College of Engineering and the Airport Director, I have advocated Worthington's position. I will continue to press OSU to address both the noise impacts (in particular single event impacts) and the economic effects of a proposed runway extension and construction of additional hangars.

• Scott Myers: I believe questions 3, 4, 5 involve the same central question and as such I will address them together.  As a member of City Council, I am elected to represent the interests of those who chose me to serve.  I am convinced that a substantial number of Worthington residents are opposed to the expansion and therefore, I would be shirking my representative duties as a council member if I did not aggressively advance these interests.  As with many council decisions, there are both political and financial considerations.  My political opposition to the expansion is firm.  The city's financial support is more circumspect given the period of economic uncertainty we find ourselves in.  Spending is a question of both ability and priority.  It is difficult to prioritize all fiscal matters at this point

6. Do you believe there is a need for an expanded Corporate Jet Center at OSU Airport?  Why or why not? 

• Mike Duffey: No. I believe that while this may be useful financially to the airport, it would most likely come at the expense of quality of life for nearby residents. The university should focus on making the airport a teaching and learning center, not a corporate jet center that competes with other nearby facilities.

• DJ Falcoski: I do not know what the market requires in regard to a Corporate Jet Center, so it is not possible to effectively answer this as written.  I know that corporate aviation nationwide/worldwide struggles because of fuel costs, the economic downturn, public perception of corporate excess, and environmental concerns.  How does the extension affect the educational mission of the airport?   I can say that it seems to me that if there is indeed the need for more Corporate Jet Facilities in Central Ohio, there are a lot of other areas that seem to make more sense to build them instead of in the middle of a very densely populated residential area.

• David Foust: No, I do not believe there is a need.  While it may be a convenience for a few businesses, the negatives for the community far outweigh the positives.  Port Columbus is better suited for this purpose.

• Lou Goorey: OSU has not demonstrated a need for an expanded Corporate Jet Center. A corporate Jet Center does not fit into the educational role of OSU's Airport. The OSU Airport should be in a cooperative mode with Port Columbus, Rickenbacker  and the regional airport authority. What is best for Central Ohio should be a prime consideration.

• Scott Myers: Other than to generate additional revenues for the university which seems contradicted by a decrease in the academic mission the airport was intended to support, I have yet to see a demonstrated need for the expansion.

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)?

• Mike Duffey: I am no expert on airport competition, but I would imagine that an expanded OSU airport would negatively impact Port Columbus and others airports who might otherwise receive more business.

• DJ Falcoski: Again, without knowing the market, it is difficult to say.  It seems that if OSU expanded its jet center, the other airports may try to compete by expanding services or offering incentives to retain current clients and lure new clients since it will be a duplication of existing facilities and services.

• David Foust: I honestly do not know the potential impacts to the other area airports.

• Lou Goorey: There needs to be a cooperative effort  between OSU and the Regional Airport Authority to determine what gives Franklin County and Central Ohio the best, most cost-effective and highest economic rewards for our area. All of us in Franklin County have an investment, and it is not helpful if one airport profits at the expense of another. Even with extension of OSU's north runway, impacts on all of the communities should be considered.

• Scott Myers: I can only summarize as to the future impact but it only seems to make sense the impact on other facilities would be negative.  I find it difficult to support the use of taxpayer dollars to expand a facility which would appear to duplicate existing services.

8. Do you support the retention of special counsel to represent the City of Worthington in future OSU Airport meetings and to provide expert advice to City Council?

• Mike Duffey: Yes, we may retain legal counsel periodically, from time to time.

• DJ Falcoski:  I am aware that some professional conflicts between Mr. Mike Minister and OSU have been addressed and there have been discussions by City Council in the past concerning outside counsel.  I will first bring myself up to speed on these issues.  Since this is an issue that residents are very concerned about - according to the 2009 Community Satisfaction Survey-I support retaining special counsel.

• David Foust: I do support the retention of special council.  This is not an area where the City has experience or expertise.

• Lou Goorey: From the outset, I supported retention of counsel, and experts, to assist us in understanding the issues and communicating our concerns to the appropriate bodies. We continue to require this counsel. Advice from some Worthington residents who have become experts on these issues is also vital.

• Scott Myers: Yes.

Additional Comments:

• David Foust: I am responding as an OSU Grad with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, as someone who likes to fly (no license), and as someone who has taken flying lessons at OSU.

• Lou Goorey:

• Background: The OSU Airport stated its intent to add a runway in the Spring of 2003.  The City of Worthington retained legal counsel and experts. In June, 2003, on the advice of counsel, the City of Worthington requested the FAA perform a Part 150  Noise Study to measure the impact of existing airport operations. After years of wrangling, OSU and the FAA finally agreed to perform those studies. The studies were completed earlier this year. Those studies showed that currently there are insufficient noise impacts to reach the level (65 DNL) that the federal government requires mitigation. Even though the study failed to show impacts over the 65 DNL metric, OSU agreed to analyze other options for noise mitigation

• Postscript: The options which are currently being finalized, will be presented later this month. Hopefully, the options that OSU agreed to analyze will also be included. Our counsel advises that at the present time, the City of Worthington does not have any power to compel either OSU or the FAA to implement any noise abatement procedures or other mitigation, but we intend to use our best efforts to influence the decision makers by carefully evaluating the options. In the event that OSU decides to proceed to extend the North Runway, there will be another wave of hearings and reports under the environmental laws, including either an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment. 

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