Published: Thursday, February 16, 2012
Paine Field
Column makes opposite point
Julie Muhlstein's column on the supposed benefits of commercial airline service at Paine Field had the opposite effect of what she had intended. While she touts the success of Bellingham's airport expansion, she admits that airport is located in a rural area and Paine Field is smack dab in the midst of the very developed residential community of Mukilteo.
She also agrees expansion would mean traffic and noise, a fact she is willing to overlook if it would bring jobs here. That the jobs created by such a move would be insignificant in number, and close to minimum wage, has been pointed out and discussed at great length.
Meanwhile, our state legislative representatives, along with many community leaders in southern Snohomish County, have put forth a plan that seeks to draw both aerospace companies and technical training centers to Paine Field and its surrounding communities.
President Obama realizes the importance of Boeing and its monumental impact on the employment picture for the Puget Sound area, so much so that he will tour the Everett plant on Friday. Boeing's presence at Paine Field, with its many thousands of jobs, makes this airport one of national significance and, as such, Boeing's needs must be a top priority.
The president's new budget proposal includes $8 billion for community colleges to train 2 million workers in high-growth industries. The aerospace industry and technical schools are a better focus for Paine Field and Snohomish County than are commercial flights for those travelers who feel inconvenienced by the 45- to 60-minute drive to Sea-Tac or Bellingham airports.
So thank you, Ms. Muhlstein, for pointing out the many benefits offered by commercial flights at the Bellingham Airport. I wish them every success, for their rural setting and location between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., is ideal for meeting the needs of the North Puget Sound area. There is no need for similar services at Paine Field, leaving Paine Field free to continue offering excellent service to Boeing (with its thousands of employees) while we work to attract aerospace companies and training centers to Snohomish County.
Chris Salditt
Mukilteo
She also agrees expansion would mean traffic and noise, a fact she is willing to overlook if it would bring jobs here. That the jobs created by such a move would be insignificant in number, and close to minimum wage, has been pointed out and discussed at great length.
Meanwhile, our state legislative representatives, along with many community leaders in southern Snohomish County, have put forth a plan that seeks to draw both aerospace companies and technical training centers to Paine Field and its surrounding communities.
President Obama realizes the importance of Boeing and its monumental impact on the employment picture for the Puget Sound area, so much so that he will tour the Everett plant on Friday. Boeing's presence at Paine Field, with its many thousands of jobs, makes this airport one of national significance and, as such, Boeing's needs must be a top priority.
The president's new budget proposal includes $8 billion for community colleges to train 2 million workers in high-growth industries. The aerospace industry and technical schools are a better focus for Paine Field and Snohomish County than are commercial flights for those travelers who feel inconvenienced by the 45- to 60-minute drive to Sea-Tac or Bellingham airports.
So thank you, Ms. Muhlstein, for pointing out the many benefits offered by commercial flights at the Bellingham Airport. I wish them every success, for their rural setting and location between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., is ideal for meeting the needs of the North Puget Sound area. There is no need for similar services at Paine Field, leaving Paine Field free to continue offering excellent service to Boeing (with its thousands of employees) while we work to attract aerospace companies and training centers to Snohomish County.
Chris Salditt
Mukilteo
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