Dear all,

Sometimes it feels as if we must attend a thousand meetings and send a thousand emails to get public officials to hear our pleas. This week is one of those times when we must do those things if we want to protect residents and homes in our neighborhood.

According to the S.M. Airport staff report, 14 acres of homes in Sunset Park seem to be at risk from a jet or other large, fast airplane overrunning the west end of the runway (landing too fast to stop, or failing to lift off). The July 31, 2007 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety proposal is totally unacceptable and would actually reduce safety for residents by extending the ends of the runway closer to homes!

We need to communicate to our City Council members and to Congressman Henry Waxman that THEY MUST HELP US NOW!

Here’s what you can do:

1. Look at this excellent 2-minute video, produced by Sunset Park resident Diane Moss:
“Santa Monica Airport: A Tragedy Waiting to Happen” http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=CL_UKSMdW-0
[Note that the last digit is a "zero," not an upper case "O."]

2. Come to the “Rally for Runway Safety!” on Tuesday, August 28, 5:30 PM, in front of City Hall. Stay for the 6:45 PM City Council agenda item 3-A. Show the City Council and representatives of Henry Waxman and Jane Harman that this is important to you! If only a few people show up, the message to elected officials is that nobody really cares. If you need to leave early or arrive late, come anyway!

3. Email, by Monday, the City Council at Council@smgov.net and Congressman Waxman at his website http://www.house.gov/waxman/contact.htm Tell them to (1) stop the larger, faster airplanes (Class C and D) from using Santa Monica Airport, and (2) install 1,000-foot Runway Safety Areas immediately to protect residents, as well as airplane pilots and passengers. Refer to “August 28 City Council agenda item 3-A” in your email.

4. For more info, read the following:

a. 24-page Staff Report for Agenda Item 3-A (“FAA Response to City’s request for Runway Safety Enhancements at S.M. Airport and recommendation to provide direction to staff”) posted at ://www.smgov.net/CityClerk/Council/Agendas/2007/

b. www.SurfSantaMonica.com — Aug. 21 — “Airport Neighbors to Oppose FAA Proposal”

c. www.SMMirror.com — August 23-29 — “FAA Proposal angers Community”

d. www.SantaMonicaDispatch.com — August 24 — “Airport Neighbors vs. FAA”

e. www.JetAirPollution.com — aerial photo of S.M. Airport, surrounded by homes

See related information below.