Written by Lori Stevens-Smith, Lakeland
My family resides within a mile of the airport. My family loved seeing the small airplanes fly over. We can even see the Sun ‘n Fun shows each year.
However, things have become much darker since the Amazon flights. At first, we would see the planes occasionally, but they were at a higher altitude than they are now. Our house is in the path of the flights, which has become very scary. We can hear the engines gearing up as they are approaching for a landing. The engines are very loud. I have two autistic grandchildren and it frightens them. My husband is a disabled retired veteran who also had a stroke. None of them like to be outside as the planes are flying, especially when they are landing.
We live in the county and it seems that because Lakeland owns the airport, our voice means nothing. Come stand in my backyard sometime as the many flights come in, one plane after another. For those of us who live very near the airport, it’s exceptionally frightening. Lakeland made a deal without the input of those of us most affected. This is just wrong.
While I emphasize in your dilemma, the full functioning airport has been around since the early 1930’s. They had not been completely utilizing their facilities as they should have until the army and coast guard started using them in 2017. There are now over 60 businesses that utilize this airport, this brings in revenue and continuing job approtunities for local Lakeland and surrounding residents. This is including fire rescue for Lakeland Fire Department, us customs and border protection, the air force and coast guard, and yes, Amazon. I am personally thankful for the new jobs this airport is aiding for Lakeland and surrounding residents. I urge you to check out the Lakeland Linder airport’s website where they have a section called aircraft noise. This will give you some educational information of the sound effects associated with the airplanes. At the bottom of that page there is noise concern section.
I am not surprised by this especially since it is just affecting the people of Lakeland that work and live a regular life. I wish that they could be compisated for this but I doubt it. Just like the city making money off the back of the citizens.
I live next to the airport and watch the planes all the time. I feel the noise is negligible when compared to all the jobs created at the airport. We should let Gene Conrad continue to do his job.