Laura Silagi is the local representative from Venice who is opposed to the Santa Monica Airport continuing operation. There is no one representing the area for the continued operation of the airport. If there is a reader for the continued operation of the airport, Update will certainly present their views. Update would always like to have both sides of an issue if there are two sides. This is a big issue for Venice, Mar Vista, and Santa Monica. The following is Laura Silagi’s request for help:

By Laura Silagi
We’re making a request for your help to end the pollution, noise and the danger from the operations of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO). Congressional Representatives Karen Bass and Ted Lieu have arranged a meeting with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials, Santa Monica Mayor, City Council and concerned citizens this July 8th in Washington DC. Mindy Taylor-Ross will be going from Venice. Please input your concerns about SMO to your Congressmember – it’s critical!

There is a site enabling you to fill out a form listing your concerns about SMO and to submit it to your Congressmember on line. The form auto fills after you begin your name entry. Signatures (required) are written using a mouse (or your finger if you have a touch screen). To redo a signature click “CLEAR” (to right and below the signature block). Here is the link: www.bit.ly/faa-e-form

Below is an example that expresses concerns/problems with the airport:
The Santa Monica Airport constitutes a danger to the health, safety and well-being of my community specifically aircraft crashes, toxic lead and ultrafine particulate pollution and excessive noise. The planes fly over Venice and Mar Vista, not Santa Monica- this is a fairness issue.

Although we do not have representation in Santa Monica, we do with our congressional representatives and Mike Bonin wrote a strong letter supporting our views. The FAA needs to accept that in accordance with their FAA 1984 Agreement the City of Santa Monica regains full authority for the airport and its land on July 1st 2015 and hopefully they will do the right thing.

You can print out a form for input to your Congressmember from these links:
Privacy Release Form Ted Lieu
Casework Authorization Form Karen Bass

Congressmember Ted lieu represents residents of Santa Monica and Venice,
Congressmember Karen Bass represents Los Angeles residents who live near SMO.

To provide your comments on the airport:

Click on the first link, complete and sign it and email it to the Congressmember (the form provides the email address). There is a place for signature (a must) and you can sign it with your finger.
OR
Click on the link above, print out the form, complete it, sign it, date it and mail it to the Congressmember (the form provides the mail address). OR
Click on the link above, print out the form, complete it, sign it, date it and FAX it to the Congressmember (the form includes the FAX number).

On July 1, 2015 Santa Monica’s agreement with the US Federal Government to operate the Santa Monica Airport expires and ALL leases for its operation expire! There is no legal requirement to extent or grant new leases. On July 14th the Santa Monica City Council meets to decide the issue. Let their Mayor and City Councilmembers know your concerns – in person or at the meeting.