May 19, 2007

Two Million for Airport

Here is the story from the Telegram. ORH is getting $2,000,000 from the FAA to improve runways and possibly build a new one. This is the first of many good things to come as MassPort takes over ORH.

Believe me that it was MassPort and not our airport administration that got ORH $2,000,000. My bet is by the end of the year, you will see commercial service once MassPort takes over and the remaining balances in the DOT Small Community Air Service Grant will be spent. Don't get me wrong, I still think we should have expanded the net looking to privatize ORH but the new agreement (either long-term lease or outright sale to MassPort) will be a huge improvement

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sounds like excellent news...I have recently moved out to the area from NE MASS and as a grad of a worcester college have a strong sense of pride for the area. It is my feeling that the central massachusetts area has tremendous potential to become a booming economic area with many young new families of professionals. Gov Patrick has made it clear he wants to invest in the biotech fields and Worcester is at the heart of it! It makes clear sense to establish a working airport which will grow as the business of the area expands. With this comes more commercial/cultural interests and improved infrastructure. Its a real shame they lack an access road...however Manchester Airport requires leaving the highway and following a road for a mile or two. Improvements with access could be made as the viability of the airport is realized. In short...the growth of this aiprort for leisure and business will serve as a catalyst for the entire regions future! Hopefully people will realize Worcester has better access to the region than Boston. Please keep the updates coming! I will be hoping for the best.

Bill Randell said...

Received two comments on this post from "anonymous" stating that this $2,000,000 was nothing special. That we already were getting these grants, which may be true.

If this anonymous blogger wants to document this fact somehow, I will keep the comment up. An anonymous post without any back-up will get deleted.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Waldron informed the Members that work has been accomplished on runway 11 due to accelerated deterioration of prior repairs caused by excessive rain and the reverse thrust used by the MD80 aircraft that Allegiant flies. It was originally hoped that the airport would get by this year with only additional crack sealing repairs to the runway, but it was necessary to mill and pave a number of areas on the runway, a couple of taxiways, and one ramp area. The Capital Program for the airport contemplates rebuilding a section of this runway in FY 08

Bill Randell said...

Anonymous:

Your comment is not in the April Board minutes so I can assume that it was discussed at the May Meeting. Problem is the May Minutes have not been published yet.

Anonymous, how do you know this was discussed at the meeting.

Thanks,

Bill

Anonymous said...

Who is the paving contractor? Was the bid let by Worcester or Massport?

Anonymous said...

Bill Randell said...
Anonymous:
"Your comment is not in the April Board minutes "

You're right. It was last July. Like I said, check flyorh.com. (before you deleted it)

Bill Randell said...

Anonymous:

You are correct, my mistake.

Bill

Anonymous said...

You can keep erasing the comments, but maybe someone else will see it before you do. There is nothing new with the money that has been announced in the paper. The airport- and all airports get it every year. This is a continuation of the previous legislation. I have no idea what your problem is. Just call the airport if you question it.

Bill Randell said...

Anonymous:

My problem is that you portray yourself as an expert on these matters and then sign anonymous. Who are you and how do you know this to be a fact?

If you feel so strongly that I am wrong about this, which I may in fact be, then you call the airport and have our airport liaison or airport director send me an e-mail or make a post on this website.

Better yet, why not tell us all your name and who you are. Ball is in your court.

Bill Randell

Anonymous said...

Bill Randell said...
"Anonymous:
If you feel so strongly that I am wrong about this, which I may in fact be, then you call the airport and have our airport liaison or airport director send me an e-mail or make a post on this website."

Even better, I'll simply stop replying and let you continue publishing wrong information.

Bye-Bye

Anonymous said...

Bye!
I did call and that is what they told me. You are the one publishing wrong information.

Bill Randell said...

Why do I bother? Not only did I get it wrong, but the front page story of the Telegram also got it wrong.

Thanks for publishing your name.


Bill Randell

Anonymous said...

How many months can the city pick up the full losses for ORH. With only one month left we should take a small fee and and give it to Massport.

Bill, you have used the 3 decker comparative before, if owned a 3 beautiful family but it had termites, rats, and a leaking roof and someone offered me a low offer to buy it, I think I might take it. Maybe it can begin to make money for the region once we unload it to Massport.

Bill Randell said...

anonymous:

check out womag, they ran this blog in this week's issue.

Bill

Anonymous said...

So what's womag?

Bill Randell said...

Anonymous:

Let me get this right.. You know everything about ORH, are able to call the airport and 1) not only get in touch with someone but 2) get answers.

Now you pretend that you are not a local person and have no idea what womag is??? Come on who are you kiddin??

Bill

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know why the Worcester Budget is only claiming a $750,000 reduction due to transferring the airport to Massport?

Navigation directions for Bill:

http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/reports/FY08budget_solutions.pdf Page 12 - fourth line

Anonymous said...

sorry. No idea what/who womag is?

Dave from Worcester said...

Womag is Worcester Magazine.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Dave. I'll check it out.

Anonymous said...

Neve heard of them referred to as Womag! But,they printed the inacurate information. That is what I have heard about Worcester Magazine. Their stories are innacurate and based on unfounded rumor. Bet they won't print this BLOG!!!!

Anonymous said...

Bill,

The "experts that you are wondering about are Rick Foley and Doug Robinson from the FBO at the airport aka "Evil Empire"