Lawmaker asks for timeout on F-35 siting at Burlington airport
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130207/NEWS03/302070022/Lawmaker-wants-timeout-on-F-35s
Lawmaker asks for timeout on F-35 siting at Burlington airport
Feb 7, 2013
Written by Terri Hallenbeck
MONTPELIER Rep. George Cross, a Winooski Democrat, conceded he didnt have a lot of support from fellow legislators as he called Thursday for a delay in the possible siting of F-35 fighters jets at the Burlington International Airport.
Still, he said, its important for people who are worried that the noise of the jets will harm the surrounding communities. Our task is to educate people as to what the adverse effects are, Cross said.
The Air Force is considering the Vermont Air National Guard, which is based at the Burlington International Airport, as a host for the new F-35 fighter jets. Supporters of the idea say the jets will replace the aging F-16s the Guard uses now, and without the F-35s the Guard risks losing local jobs.
Opponents say the F-35s are four times louder than the F-16s and will be unbearable for neighbors.
Cross was flanked by F-35 opponents at a Statehouse news conference where he unveiled a House resolution asking that Vermont be removed from the first round of F-35 basing decisions. He said he also plans to introduce a bill that would create a fund to compensate neighbors if the jets are sited with the Vermont Air National Guard.