AlaskaAV
10-01-2004, 11:47 PM
Did the mayor of Chicago finally get caught on what he did in secret with Meigs airport at midnight? If this works, it will be a precedent for every airport in the US for GA aviation.
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FAA Fines Chicago Over Airport Demolition
By NATHANIEL HERNANDEZ
.c The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is fining the city $33,000 for its demolition of Meigs Field and says it is investigating whether federal funds were improperly diverted to pay for the destruction of the lakefront airport.
Mayor Richard Daley quietly ordered the demolition March 30, 2003. Crews began bulldozing the airport's only runway late that night.
Daley had argued Meigs could have helped terrorists attack nearby landmarks such as Sears Tower; critics say he exploited terror fears to pursue his goal of making a park out of the airfield.
The city, however, failed to give the FAA a required 30-day notice before it shut down Meigs Field, agency spokesman Tony Molinaro said.
The fine proposed Friday is $1,100 a day for every day the city failed to give notice.
The city can pay the fine, request a meeting with FAA officials or seek a hearing with an administrative law judge, Molinaro said.
The FAA is also investigating whether $1.5 million was improperly diverted from the O'Hare Airport Development Fund to pay for the demolition, Molinaro said. The FAA had warned the city against using the funds for work at Meigs Field before the order was given to tear up the runway, Molinaro said.
City Department of Aviation spokeswoman Annette Martinez said the city has received the complaint and is reviewing it, and denied the city misused federal funds.
The FAA could fine the city up to $4.5 million if it is determined the funds were improperly used and the city refuses to return the money, Molinaro said.
10/01/04 23:57 EDT
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FAA Fines Chicago Over Airport Demolition
By NATHANIEL HERNANDEZ
.c The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is fining the city $33,000 for its demolition of Meigs Field and says it is investigating whether federal funds were improperly diverted to pay for the destruction of the lakefront airport.
Mayor Richard Daley quietly ordered the demolition March 30, 2003. Crews began bulldozing the airport's only runway late that night.
Daley had argued Meigs could have helped terrorists attack nearby landmarks such as Sears Tower; critics say he exploited terror fears to pursue his goal of making a park out of the airfield.
The city, however, failed to give the FAA a required 30-day notice before it shut down Meigs Field, agency spokesman Tony Molinaro said.
The fine proposed Friday is $1,100 a day for every day the city failed to give notice.
The city can pay the fine, request a meeting with FAA officials or seek a hearing with an administrative law judge, Molinaro said.
The FAA is also investigating whether $1.5 million was improperly diverted from the O'Hare Airport Development Fund to pay for the demolition, Molinaro said. The FAA had warned the city against using the funds for work at Meigs Field before the order was given to tear up the runway, Molinaro said.
City Department of Aviation spokeswoman Annette Martinez said the city has received the complaint and is reviewing it, and denied the city misused federal funds.
The FAA could fine the city up to $4.5 million if it is determined the funds were improperly used and the city refuses to return the money, Molinaro said.
10/01/04 23:57 EDT
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