THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220199
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Chesapeake needs a good airport. There's no question about that.
As the city looks to its future, quality air transportation is no less important to our success than roads, schools, recreation and other public services. It makes sense, as economic development officials say, that businesses will be reluctant to move to a locality that is not reasonably accessible by air.
For this reason, the budget package approved last week by the City Council is a sound investment. When combined with available state and federal funds, it is expected to result in nearly $5 million worth of improvements to Chesapeake Municipal Airport.
We sympathize with the concerns of those who live near the airport that airport growth will increase noise and congestion in the area. Every effort should be made to ameliorate living conditions in neighborhoods surrounding the facility. But airports are a part of modern urban life and accommodations must be made to them.
We cannot accept the argument, however, that in order to assure the success of the local airport it is necessary to exempt aircraft from local property taxes - or virtually exempt them by reducing the rate at which they're taxed to as little as one cent per $100 of value.
Merely because Suffolk is offering airplane owners bargain-basement tax rates does not mean that Chesapeake must do likewise in order to compete. Chesapeake has much to recommend it to business, as proven by its very successful record of economic recruitment.
It just doesn't make sense that the opportunity to save a few hundred bucks a year in taxes is going to make much difference to someone looking for a place in which to base an airplane. Surely, other factors, such as location, convenience and service, are going to mean more.
The idea of a big corporation paying a pittance in property taxes on a fleet of expensive airplanes while individual citizens pay hundreds more for family station wagons and cars to drive to work just doesn't sit well with us.
The city of Portsmouth tried a similar ploy not long ago to persuade boat owners to berth their vessels there. So far, the experiment has not had the expected result.
Chesapeake does not have to resort to gimmicks. It can succeed on its merits.
Airplane owners are welcome to base their planes here. We believe they will find our improved local airport conveniently located and suitable to their needs.
But, if they come, let them pay their fair share in taxes, just as the rest of us do. by CNB