WALL TOWNSHIP – A few weeks ago, the Monmouth County Commissioners sent out a release about the hiring of a consultant “to perform a comprehensive business feasibility analysis of the Monmouth Executive Airport.”
This may have seemed like an arcane bit of government business.
Not really.
The owner of the airport, Wall Herald Corporation and its president, Alan Antaki, seemed convinced something else is afoot – like a plan by the county to take the airport through eminent domain, or condemnation.
And like many disputes, this one is headed to court.
Wall Herald last week filed a federal suit against various Monmouth County offices, including the sheriff, the park rangers and the county itself.
The suit does not directly revolve around any plans of the county to condemn the airport.
It is actually about something more basic to democracy – the right of people to hand out leaflets in public.
First some background.
According to the suit, Wall Herald Corporation paid off more than $2.5 million in back property taxes accumulated and owed by the former airport owner to Wall Township after buying the airport in 2013. It also constructed a safety perimeter around the airport, repaired non-functioning runway lights, financed the design of new instrument approaches and engaged in considerable runway and taxiway repairs, according to the suit.
The suit also says that the airport is one of the township’s largest taxpayers to the tune of almost $900,000 annually.
Now we move to July 28 of this year, a time when the county’s annual fair was ongoing.
Miffed at the prospect of the county possibly condemning the airport, Wall Herald sent three employees to the fair to distribute literature.
By any measure, the handout was not outrageously inflammatory.
“Stop the Monmouth County Commissioners from spending hundreds of millions of your tax dollars to seize and take over the privately-owned, public-use Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall Township,” is how it began.
It then asked why the county wants an airport and how much the plan would ultimately cost taxpayers.
Nonetheless, the suit contends that those distributing the leaflets quickly ran into trouble.
It says that both park rangers and sheriff’s officers interfered with the distribution by relocating the employees to an area removed from the fairgrounds and told them they could only give leaflets to those who specifically requested them.
The suit, not surprisingly, asserts that the airport owner had the right to distribute leaflets wherever it wanted on public property.
As stated, the litigation is a free speech matter.
The larger issue over the airport’s future remains.
Getting back to the county’s statement a few weeks ago, Thomas Arnone, the commission director said:
“Representatives from the county have heard disturbing reports from a variety of sources about the condition of the airport and its supporting facilities. I recently toured the airport and came away with my own, serious concerns, both about safety at the airport and its financial viability. We are hiring Merchant Aviation to determine if the airport could be better run and maintained under county ownership.”
But he added:
“I want to be crystal clear; no decisions have been made related to the county’s disposition towards the airport. This is another step in the process of collecting information and assessing our options as it relates to an important and valuable county asset. That said, whatever decision we make will be after a thorough and deliberative process, and with the best interests of Monmouth County residents and the airport’s future in mind.”
Fine and good, but with airport employees allegedly being harassed by the county while leafletting, it’s probably time to buckle up.
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The Battle of Monmouth Airport, also known as the Monmouth County Airport, is a small general aviation airport located in Wall Township, New Jersey. Despite its size, the airport has a rich history and has played a significant role in the development of aviation in the state.
The airport was originally established in 1938 as a private airfield called Allaire Airport. It was later taken over by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and used as a training base for pilots. After the war, the airport was returned to civilian control and eventually became the Monmouth County Airport.
Today, the airport serves as a hub for general aviation in the region, providing services such as fueling, maintenance, and flight training. It is also home to several aviation-related businesses, including aircraft maintenance facilities and flight schools.
One of the airport’s most notable features is its 4,200-foot runway, which is capable of accommodating a wide range of aircraft, from small single-engine planes to larger corporate jets. The airport also boasts a modern terminal building with amenities such as a pilot lounge, flight planning facilities, and a restaurant.
In addition to its role in supporting general aviation, the airport has also been the site of several air shows and aviation events over the years. These events have drawn aviation enthusiasts from across the region and have helped to raise awareness of the airport and its importance to the local community.
Despite its relatively small size, the Battle of Monmouth Airport continues to play a vital role in the aviation industry in New Jersey. With its modern facilities, convenient location, and rich history, the airport is sure to remain a key player in the state’s aviation landscape for years to come.
