CRAMA October 2008 Update

Dear CRAMA Supporters,

It sure was a hot one…the summer. It was wet too, but neither kept CRAMA from actively monitoring the situation, aggressively collecting petitions and by means of letters, emails and phone calls keeping in touch with state and GRIC officials. Our current petition count is: 9261 - a significant increase.

 Early this summer we tried something new: a direct mailing to all those in Sun Lakes Country Club who had not yet signed our petition.  The result was fantastic. We now have a 53% participation there. 

 Cottonwood/Palo Verde is our next target for a direct mailing in October.  Right now their participation is only 32%.  However, CRAMA is now authorized by their HOA to set up a petition collection station which should help.

 While Supervisor Fulton Brock at our last Town Hall Meeting suggested that the GRIC may not go ahead with the airport project, his office subsequently shared with us the information it obtained, that indeed it’s GRIC’s intention to proceed. But there are landownership issues that need first to be resolved.

 Efforts on our part to meet with the appropriate GRIC officials have still not produced any direct response…but they know we are eager to discuss a win/win solution, and we need to be patient.

 We met with the Director of Transportation, Maricopa Association of Governments.  The purpose was to urge MAG to assume the leadership and organize a formal forum for the discussion and study of valley-wide aviation issues. We realized that aviation is not high on their list of priorities. The Director agreed, however, to contact GRIC to find out their plans re Memorial Airfield.  We hope that his office’s inquiry will meet with greater success than CRAMA’s.

Apparently until GRIC formally announces its intentions no state or federal agency is willing to become involved.  This means we need to continue our vigilant “watchful-waiting” and maintain contact with appropriate state officials. Let’s face it, the promoters of a jet airport know that by saying nothing they may lull nearby homeowners into a false sense of security.

 So that’s where we are.  Our leadership will welcome any thoughts and/or constructive suggestion any of you may have. Just email us at crama2@prodigy.net.

 One more thing. Printing of materials and mass mailings are not free. So CRAMA will welcome any contributions to help pay for these items. Checks or cash should be mailed to CRAMA, PO Box 13204, Chandler, AZ 85248.

 Thank you very much!

 Erik for

Concerned Residents About Memorial Airfield