Support for this terrible idea of privatizing the airport is running out. Mr. Pruitt of the NAACP has been bought big time. I give credit to the community activists in St. Louis who developed the opposition to this horrible idea. Paul Dribin
It was something new for Darlene Green, the usually stoic St. Louis city comptroller. She wanted everyone in the room to know it. “This is…
— Read on www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2019/04/17/comptroller-green-blasts-unacceptable-scrutiny-over-airport-bonds-in-raucous-meeting
This is why the city doesn’t work. Refinancing the bonds is a no brained. Comptroller Green has been an exemplary public official. Krewson and Reed are in bed with the folks wanting to privatize the airport. As I said what is difficult about refinancing bonds at a lower interest rate. Written by Paul Dribin
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is horsing around with a bill which would require a public vote before airport privatization. They certainly seem to be bought off. I normally don’t like ballot initiatives, but in this case the elected officials are clearly not doing their jobs. I also heard today that they are hiring a “communications consultant.” This is in a city that can’t afford to repair garbage trucks. Written by Paul Dribin
This project clearly seems to be moving ahead. I am neutral at this point. The advantages of privatizing the airport seem vague to me at this point. Why do I sense that some politically connected people will benefit? Alderman Cara Spencer has introduced legislation to require a vote of the public before moving ahead. That is probably a good idea. Written by Paul Dribin
In theory the St. Louis scheme to privatize Lambert airport could make sense. Of course we may never know because the whole system appears so rigged there will never be an honest evaluation of the pros and cons of the proposal. All the consultants, advisors etc. have a vested interest in making the privatization work. One thought sticks out to me. If the idea was a good one, why have private sector organizations not stepped forward sooner to make the privatization happen? Written by Paul Dribin
St. Louis Mayor, Lyda Krewson made an incredibly stupid comment the other day about airport privatization. She commented that is Lambert International Airport was privatized, more flights would return to Lambert. The Mayor fails to understand that airport size is a function of supply and demand. St. Louis has lost population, that is why flights out of Lambert are down. No organizational or ownership structure will change that. Written by Paul Dribin
The St Louis Contrarian 