Editor’s note: This commentary is by Ernie Pomerleau, a developer in Burlington.
[I]n 18 months, when the first F-35 lands at the Burlington International Airport, the community, my family and I are going to proudly stand up and cheer. We are going to honor the men and women of the Vermont Air National Guard and this great accomplishment. It will be a fantastic day and a well-earned honor.
The Burlington City Council gave the go-ahead four years ago and we all need to uphold the integrity of that action. I feel badly for the Burlington City Council members who have been put into a situation that manipulates their elected legislative role as a council and sets a precedent that will only cause problems in the future.
The F-35 is the only mission of the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG). That was straight from Gen. Cray. He is the voice of the VTANG, not the opponents of the Vermont Air National Guard. Don’t be tricked into believing otherwise. To support the Vermont Air National Guard, vote no on ballot item #6 on March 6.
The Vermont Air National Guard are our neighbors and our friends. They provide fire and rescue to many of our local communities. They provide millions of dollars to our local economy. They are always there when we need them at a moment’s notice.
What worries me most is that the facts are being skewed here in our home, Burlington. I want to help add clarity to this. Here are the facts:
• There is no other mission for the Vermont Air National Guard.
• Takeoff and landings for the F-16 is six minutes a day, four days a week. It will be less with the F-35.
• The F-35 doesn’t need afterburners to take off from Burlington.
• Many of us, including elected officials and the media attended takeoffs of F-16 and F-35 – jets had different tones but were very similar volume. Mapping show them very similar, not four times louder.
• The home buyout program is voluntary and offered by the FAA. No one has to sell their home. The buyout program is not a Vermont Air National Guard program.
• Real estate values in the 65 DNL have maintained value correspondent with overall value in Chittenden County.
• 1,100 associated jobs are vitally important to the economy of our county and our state.
• F-16 flights are only 5 percent of airport flying.
In 18 months, we aren’t going to cheer deceptive wording on a ballot that represents a last-ditch effort to compromise what has been a long and thorough process. We aren’t going to cheer the opponents of the F-35 who have been involved since the F-35s were proposed for the Vermont Air National Guard and lost at every juncture.
When the first F-35 lands in Burlington, I believe the loudest noise in the air will be the roar of applause from thousands of Vermonters cheering on this great accomplishment. The community and the Pomerleau family will be there cheering with pride. A wonderful tribute to the Vermont Air National Guard and their families. It’s a sound I can’t wait to hear.
