An editorial in the Belleville News-Democrat today takes issue with the way in which Missouri and St. Louis officials are dealing with China over possible air cargo and passenger air travel, correctly pointing out that all the nice talk about "regionalism" really leaves the Illinois side of the metro area out.
"It's the unthinking oaf approach we've seen so many times from Missouri's leaders. Regionalism is a great idea when Illinois is promoting businesses on the St. Louis side of the river. But Missouri helping attract commerce to Illinois? Forget about it."
Unfortunately, it is all too true.
Ahh! What a short memory the Belleville News Democrat has sometimes. Let's see. Mo./St. Louis supported the first extension of Metrolink to East St. Louis. Without that support, there would be no Metrolink in St. Clair county. They supported the effort to save Scott Air base, with finacial support. They recently supported the effort to build a soccer stadium in Collinsville. Mayor Slay has been the featured speaker and awardee at the annual Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois event. He continually touts the Illinois side.
Also, I think Rich Suaget sits on the Lamert airport commission. I wonder how he voted on this agreemnent? An Illinois representative was put on the commission to allow Illinois to have a greater voice. There are no Missouri people serving on the MidAmerica Airport commission. That idea has been brought up in the past, but rejected by St. Clair county officials.
Can anyone blame Lambert for being agressive? They build a $1 billion runway expansion and then passenger traffic gets cut by more than 50%.
If you want a regional approach to the airports and there use, there should be a regional airport commission. It's been discussed, but that's all.
Posted by: Ron | April 24, 2008 at 10:06 AM