WALL TOWNSHIP – Call it another front in the Battle of Monmouth Airport.
Before Monmouth County possibly moves to condemn the airport through eminent domain, how about coming to look at it?
That’s the appeal of Alan Antaki, the president of Wall Herald Corporation, which owns the airport.
Antaki recently sent letters to the two candidates running for Monmouth County Commissioner – incumbent Republican Susan Kiley and Democratic challenger Danielle Mastropiero. His appeal was rather straightforward:
“I will give you a tour of the airport and answer any questions you have about how the airport operates and the investments I have made in the business. I want you to be properly and fully informed about the airport’s operations…. Election Day is rapidly approaching and I believe it is in the voters’ best interest to have candidates who are properly informed about the airport.”
A spokesman for the airport said Mastropiero quickly accepted the invite, while Kiley’s response is unknown at the moment.
This may sound simple – a businessman inviting two local candidates to get acquainted with an important county business.
But it’s not.
The politics swirling around here is pretty interesting and Antaki is plunging right into it.
A month or so 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.”
The release quoted Thomas Arnone, the commission director, as saying “no decisions have been made” about the county’s overall plans for the airport.
However, it also stated that:
“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.”
Antaki has no doubts about what this means: the county commissioners want to take the airport through condemnation. And he is determined to stop them
“The county had been secretly working on condemning my business and my property for many months, if not years,” said Antaki in a statement.
By inviting both candidates for a tour, Antaki quite obviously wants to keep this issue front and center.
There’s more.
Antaki recently filed a federal suit against the county and various county offices, including the sheriff and the park rangers, alleging a violation of his freedom of speech rights.
This stems from the Monmouth County annual fair back in July at which airport employees began distributing leaflets in opposition to any county takeover.
The suit says county officials interfered and eventually stopped the unfettered distribution.
The election is two weeks away, but as you can see, this battle figures to go on longer than that.
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The Monmouth Airport issue has been a hot topic of discussion in recent months, with many residents and local officials expressing concerns about the potential impact of the proposed expansion. Insider NJ has been closely following the developments surrounding the airport, providing updates and insights on the latest news and developments.
One of the key issues surrounding the Monmouth Airport is the proposed expansion of the runway, which has sparked controversy among residents and environmental groups. Proponents of the expansion argue that it will bring economic benefits to the region, while opponents are concerned about the potential noise and environmental impacts.
In recent weeks, Insider NJ has reported on several key developments in the Monmouth Airport issue. One of the most significant updates came when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it had approved the airport’s environmental assessment, clearing the way for the runway expansion to move forward. This decision was met with mixed reactions from residents and officials, with some welcoming the news as a boost to the local economy, while others expressed disappointment and frustration.
In addition to the FAA’s approval of the environmental assessment, Insider NJ has also reported on efforts by local officials and community groups to challenge the expansion plans. In a recent town hall meeting, residents voiced their concerns about the potential noise and environmental impacts of the runway expansion, and called on elected officials to take action to address these issues.
As the Monmouth Airport issue continues to unfold, Insider NJ will continue to provide updates and insights on the latest developments. Whether you are a resident concerned about the impact of the expansion or a supporter of the project, staying informed on this issue is crucial to understanding its implications for the community. Stay tuned to Insider NJ for all the latest news and updates on the Monmouth Airport issue.
