Justin Schneider, Herald Bulletin
justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
GREEN TOWNSHIP - Residents of southern Madison County are mobilizing against a proposed airport project.
The first seeds of opposition to the project were sown Tuesday during an informational meeting at Trinity Life Center.
More than 300 people attended the meeting, the second of its kind organized by Madison County Commissioner Paul Wilson, D-South District.
"I do believe when 350 turn out for a meeting that that meeting matters," Wilson said.
Greg Valentine, Green Township trustee and assessor, introduced township attorney Andi Metzel of Dann, Pecar, Newman & Kleinman in Indianapolis. Metzel also represented Hamilton County residents in their fight to keep the airport out of the Noblesville area.
"I can't take any credit - my job is to convey the interests of my clients," Metzel said. "I can tell this community is not going to tolerate behind-the-scenes meetings. This community is not going to tolerate surprises."
Metzel passed out a sheet of paper to collect names and contact information from those in attendance.
Several residents of Wayne Township in Hamilton County attended the meeting to bestow advice on those fighting the airport project.
"The best thing you can do is be organized," said John Stanley. "You've got a big head start on us. They tried to get it through the city council and shove it down our throats."
On May 11, the Flagship Enterprise Center announced it had been hired by the town of Fishers to conduct a feasibility study for a replacement airport for Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, located in Fishers. On July 14, subcontractor Aerofinity Inc. announced it had established a roughly 4,000-acre study area straddling Green and Stony Creek townships in southwest Madison County.
Wilson invited Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith, the Anderson City Council and the Anderson Board of Aviation Commissioners to both meetings. On Tuesday, Councilman Rodney Chamberlain, R-at large, became the first city official to accept that invitation.
"I've only heard what I've read in the paper," Chamberlain said. "(Fellow Councilman) Art Pepelea has taken the lead on this project, and the majority of the Anderson City Council, at least the Democrats, are not aware of what's going on. It's been so secretive. I think this is a Republican-Art Pepelea-Kevin Smith initiative."
When asked why the project was being pursued so vigorously, Chamberlain said: "It may be beneficial to some individuals."
Members of the South Madison Community School Corp. also attended the meeting and voiced their opposition to the project.
"We have some grave concerns, the first of which is noise," said Amy McGinniss, president of the South Madison school board. "It's all about the kids, and life is tough enough keeping their attention. Second is the money you will be taking from us. Third is safety - this will bring in more strangers and even terrorists." Pausing, she said, "I won't go there."
"Normally, I would be in favor of an airport," said Tom Newman, who operates a business at Anderson Municipal Airport. "When it's done right, it can be good for the community. But this I cannot support. It doesn't make sense."
Green Township resident - and Anderson police detective - Joel Sandefur said that, if Anderson officials continue to ignore airport opponents, the group will have no choice but to confront them.
"If they will not come to us, let's go to them," Sandefur said, "to the next Anderson City Council meeting."
Jeanette Isbell of the Pendleton Town Council said the council voted for a united front against the airport project last week.
"In my opinion, good projects come in the front door and not the back door," Wilson said. "At this point, by the way it's been presented, even if it is a good project, it's got a lot of people upset."