Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Facing reality at MidAmerica

To say that St. Clair County leaders haven't leveled with the taxpayers about MidAmerica Airport is perhaps the understatement of the year.

County Board Chairman Mark Kern and Airport Director Tim Cantwell claim that the fledgling cargo business is thriving and growing, but it's simply not true. Cargo has not been the silver bullet as promised.

Kern and Cantwell initially led the public to think that the airport was about to add a second weekly flight of flowers from South America when in reality the one flight a week had already stopped.

Then Cantwell said the flights stopped about a month ago. Turns out they stopped three months ago, on Aug. 6.

The duo blamed the stoppage on seasonal fluctuations in flower sales. Actually, they dumped the cargo-handling company that had a 10-year contract.

They also said the flights were full in both directions. Turns out they were nowhere close to full. A story on today's front page provides the details.

It's outrageous that Kern and Cantwell have so badly misled the public. Perhaps they were afraid that if the people knew the truth, there would be pressure to shut down the airport. Probably.

The county now wants to enter into a contract with yet another company to handle cargo operations. Enough. It's time for Kern and Cantwell to level with the taxpayers, and themselves. This airport doesn't have enough serious prospects to continue to pump our tax dollars into it.