When we last left the Battle of Monmouth Airport, experts hired by the county were about to inspect the property.
That inspection took place late last month and now everything is peachy.
Try again.
The inspection has prompted a continuing “war of words” via press statements from both parties,
The overall flap stems from the possibility the Republican-dominated Monmouth County Commissioners will seek to take the airport through eminent domain.
The county says it has concerns over how the Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall Township is being run.
That argument aside, the airport owner and some Republican critics say any attempted takeover would be a political power grab and contrary to conservative, Republican values.
Amid this backdrop, the airport inspection by Merchant Aviation of Summit, the county’s consultant, unfolded.
Sort of.
Here’s how a county statement summarized the visit:
“After a difficult and delayed effort to inspect Monmouth Executive Airport, the county’s experts were limited to just two hours to inspect more than three miles of runway and taxiway, in the middle of the night. Merchant Aviation … has determined more time is needed to investigate potentially concerning conditions at the airport.
The County recently commissioned Merchant Aviation’s world-renowned experts to conduct a full-scale analysis of the airport and its conditions and amenities to determine if it is as safe as its owner indicates, despite a number of accounts that claim otherwise.”
It continued to say that the inspection time – from 1 to 3 a.m. – made it impossible to conduct a real inspection.
That’s the county’s position.
The owner of the airport, Alan Antaki, had a different take.
Matt Dolan, an attorney representing Antaki, called the county’s statement about the alleged obstruction “another desperate attempt by the county commissioners to mislead the public, denigrate Mr. Antaki, and spin a false narrative as the commissioners fumble for plausible reasons to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to take the airport from its rightful owner.”
Dolan said the county never objected to the time of the inspection visit until after it was done.
Referring to Tom Arnone, the commission director, the statement added that:
“Mr. Arnone is setting a dangerous precedent for property owners in Monmouth County; suggesting that county government has a duty to inspect private property to confirm it remains in ‘top shape.’”
Eminent domain disputes are officially about land.
But let’s not ignore the politics of this one.
As noted, opposition among some Monmouth Republicans to the county’s airport endeavor already has surfaced.
The question is what impact this issue will have on county GOP politics going forward.
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The Monmouth Airport dispute has been ongoing for quite some time now, with no resolution in sight. The conflict revolves around the proposed expansion of the airport, which has been met with opposition from local residents and environmental groups.
The airport, located in Wall Township, New Jersey, has been a source of contention for years. Proponents of the expansion argue that it will bring economic benefits to the area, including increased tourism and job opportunities. They also claim that the expansion is necessary to accommodate the growing number of travelers using the airport.
On the other hand, opponents of the expansion argue that it will have negative impacts on the environment and quality of life for residents living near the airport. They are concerned about increased noise pollution, air pollution, and potential harm to wildlife in the surrounding area.
The dispute has led to legal battles and public hearings, but so far no resolution has been reached. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been involved in the process, as they have final say over airport expansions. However, their decision has been delayed multiple times, leaving both sides frustrated and anxious for a resolution.
In the meantime, tensions continue to rise between supporters and opponents of the expansion. Protests and demonstrations have taken place, with both sides adamant in their beliefs.
As the dispute drags on, it is clear that a resolution is not imminent. Both sides remain steadfast in their positions, and it is unclear when or how the conflict will be resolved. In the meantime, residents near the airport continue to live in uncertainty, unsure of what the future holds for their community.
