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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bryan Lentz |
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Tinicum residents out in droves for Lentz town hall meeting on state and local transportation issues
Eminent domain, job creation and thwarting terrorism among top concerns
FOLSOM, Jan.
29 – Over 100
Tinicum Township residents attended a town hall meeting held by state Rep. Bryan R. Lentz Thursday evening at the Folsom Firehouse
to learn more about his regional airport legislation, which would address
mounting air traffic at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Lentz, D-Delaware, invited members of the community to bring questions and concerns about the airport legislation and other state and local transportation issues in Pennsylvania, however, concerns about Philadelphia International Airport dominated the meeting.
"The fact that so many people attended the meeting, including a busload of Tinicum residents, is a clear indication that people are concerned about mounting air traffic and that the idea of using regional airports and other modes of transportation resonates with homeowners worried about their property values," Lentz said. "I am extremely pleased with the large turnout and hope people will continue to contact me with their ideas. I want direct input from the community on how we should move forward, but I also need them to contact other members of the legislature to move the legislation.
"We have a very influential senator right here in Delaware County – Senator Pileggi," Lentz reminded Delaware County homeowners. "I am sure he, too, wants what is best for the residents and will work on your behalf."
Lentz said eminent domain and airport-related terrorism were among the top concerns of the group. He assured attendees he was committed to working with them and ensuring their voices are heard in Harrisburg.
Lentz's regional airport legislation (H.B. 2138) would help alleviate the overcrowded conditions at Philadelphia International Airport and reduce the impact of increased flight traffic on surrounding neighborhoods by effectively using regional airports.
In addition, this bill has a new provision that would mandate that coordinated planning include incorporating high-speed rail improvements as an alternative to airport expansion. The Brookings Institute recently released a report, which found in part that half of all flights in the United States were on routes of less than 500 miles. Lentz said congestion on these routes can be relieved by high-speed rail development and improvement. That would include routes from Philadelphia International Airport to Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., New York, and as far as Boston.
The legislation is being considered by the state House Transportation Committee.