To the editor:
As someone who flies into the Presque Isle [International] Airport, I am selfishly more than excited by the new airport terminal. While I live in Tampa, nothing makes me happier than returning to our “camp” in Presque Isle that my grandfather, a Mars Hill potato farmer, built back in 1930.
But my personal interests aside, the cost is almost beyond my comprehension at $52,640,255 ($1,750 per square foot) — to handle one (and next year two) flights per day, carrying “roughly 20,000” people per year — representing $782 for every single resident of The County.
In addition to the terminal spending, Jet Blue is getting a $10,412,703-a-year subsidy to provide Presque Isle with Essential Air Service, representing more than $520 per passenger (allowing Jet Blue fares to start at just $49).
Would we be willing to pay these costs if County residents had to foot the bill directly through our local taxes or PQI air fares? I think we all know the answer. Sadly, free isn’t free, and a more pragmatic (lower cost) solution would have seemed more appropriate.
And once the terminal is done, should we really spend $30 million to add, among other things, bike paths to downtown to help spur business? If the government put the money in the bank at 5 percent, we could probably do more good by giving local businesses $1,500,000 in interest per year instead.
But if I’m being truthful, I like pork, too, although I do feel a little bit like a proverbial “pig at the trough,” and believe we can do better.
Jeff Bridges
Palm Harbor, Florida
