Stumping for the new airport... in 1968

Another classic G. George Ostrom column. This one George picked out from 1968...

Soloed alone all by myself with nobody with me in an airplane the other day. That might not sound like too big a deal until you realize that I have never been really convinced that the airplane isn’t just a passing fancy. I’m kidding, of course. The airplane is becoming more and more an indispensable part of our existence.

What’s my point? I’m not going to be around for the next two or three weeks to plug for the county airport bond issue, so I want to get my licks in now.

If we don’t pass this issue at the polls, every man, woman and child in this county is going to pay double for not having the airport WE MUST HAVE.

I heard a remark the other day that someone felt “the better airport would only help those rich guys who fly.” Not quite so. Those rich guys who fly do not need a bigger airport any more or less than anyone else. They fly off dirt strips or whatever is handy to their operation.

Because none of them can afford a million dollar airport, they adjust their operation to available facilities.

They build the new Kalispell airport without a dime of cost to the non-flying taxpayers. They can live with inadequate facilities better than the average wage earner.

What the average non-fly taxpayer should think about is the business (MONEY) that comes in here (or does not come in here) because of our air service. The G.I. who can’t make it home for his dad’s illness because the airport won’t take modern aircraft. The canceled emergency flight for a sick child to a Seattle clinic or old Aunt Matilda stranded in Spokane over the Christmas holidays.

If you know someone who honestly doesn’t understand why we need this expanded facility, please have them call Bill Heinecke or one of the other airport board members. If you meet someone who is completely wise they know why we don’t need a better airport, tell them that George Ostrom will happily pay for the TV time to debate him on the issue.

If this valley is to grow and prosper in such a way as to encourage sound economic development consistent with its natural resources, we must have constantly improving transportation facilities. If this valley is to provide jobs for our children, it must, at the very least, provide air service equal to other communities of equal size.

If this valley votes for confidence in its future, it will vote FOR the county airport bond issue, and that’s the only way I see it.