Biddeford Airport's Fate yet to be Decided

The long standing debate between the Bidderford City Airport in Biddeford, Maine and the community might finally come to a head as a referendum to close the airport will appear on the ballot for June 4.

While the airport authorities and pilots argue that the airport serves as a convenient location for individuals to fly in and out of, the community argues that money has become the main issue.

"The money is the biggest thing," says Roland Pelletier, a citizen that has lived next to the airport for 25 years. "Times are tough in economy. We can't afford to support operations that don't support themselves."

Indeed, closing the small airport would result in around a 3 million dollar kickback.

Yet, the airport does manage to take in about 56,000 dollars annually on such things as gas sales, property taxes, and land grants and serves as a convenient plane base for business people and corporations to fly in and out of.

Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps her single engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport insists that its service remains beneficial.

"Maybe it's expensive to run the airport. But it's a great resource. I love this airport. If I couldn't fly out of here I'd have to go to Sanford or Portland."

While a brief blog featuring citizen responses has drawn further debate on the issue, the community will have to wait until June to hear the final verdict.

"The City Council hasn't come down on one side of the issue or the other," said John Bubier, the Biddeford city manager. "I think they'd prefer to have the voters settle this one."