March 21, 2008

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

Santa Clara County plans a study to determine whether or not to keep Reid-Hillview Airport open or shut it down for development. Do you think the airport should remain open or be used for another purpose? Asked at Lucky's on Capitol at Tully

“It’s been there for as long as I can remember. No, it shouldn’t be closed. It’s easier to commute for people living outside the city but working here. I work with doctors that fly in from Tahoe and it would make it much harder for them.”

Jocelyn Fangonilo, 46
Evergreen
Nurse


“I think it should remain open. Santa Clara County and the cities within it have grown a lot. It doesn’t hurt anyone.”

Edgar Michel, 24
Evergreen
Technician


“Why shut it down, it’s been there forever and lots of people use it.”

Joy Moon, 23
Evergreen
Self-employed


“If they develop it, it should be low-income or affordable homes because people are losing their jobs and they may need housing. I think the planes flying over Eastridge are scary.”

Carol Moore
Almaden
Client service sales representative


“I think it should remain open. The area already is turning into a concrete jungle. The airport has been there ever since I can remember; it’s sort of like a landmark. How many more strip malls or car dealerships or houses do we need?”

Dustin Clark, 26
Willow Glen
YMCA after-school director, bartender at Evergreen Inn


“It should remain open. It’s been there for the longest time.”

Carrie Valenzuela, 81
Evergreen
Retired


“I’m not really sure. I know it’s used by a lot of people that fly small planes and if they close it, the pilots will have to go to Morgan Hill. I hate to see more development. We have enough as it is.”

Debbie Khouza, 59
Evergreen
Homemaker


“The airport is a good thing because it helps people learn to fly. If they shut it down for low-income housing or a playground for the kids or affordable housing or a homeless shelter, that’s okay. But if they want to build expensive homes or strip malls they should just leave the airport there.”

Pat
Silver Creek
Self-employed