Briscoe Field battle lines drawn

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA --  After a barrage of phone calls, emails and then seeing the packed Gwinnett County business meeting Tuesday, commissioners voted to put aside their most recent hot potato -- the future of Briscoe Field.

All agreed to table a resolution about the issue until after a public hearing Thursday, April 28 at 7pm.

"There's obviously some strong feelings about this issue", said newly elected Chairperson Charlotte Nash.

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Discussion about the possible privatization of the county's air field has been underway for more than a year.

The county has the FAA's approval to sell it to a private company. So far, three companies have expressed interest, but that's as far as discussions have gone.

Commissioner John Heard wrote a resolution taking out  the controversial commercialization proposal as part of the county's studies about privatization. 

He and others tabled any vote on it saying they should really hear more from folks on both sides of the issue.

"However we move forward on this item is going to have major impact on Gwinnett County for many, many, many years to come," Heard said.

You don't have to tell that to resident Jim Regan. He worries Briscoe's current private planes and small charter jets will be overrun by 737's and larger planes...bringing noise and pollution and plummeting property values.

"If you look at other regional airports that would handle the same sort of traffic as Briscoe they are on 8,000 acres to  5,000 acres.  We've got a site less than one-tenth that size.  You just can't squeeze it in," said Regan.

Regan and other concerned residents have formed a group called Citizens For A Better Gwinnett.

Another group in favor of privatization has formed as well.  It is called Fly Gwinnett Forward.  Resident Paula Hastings lives within 4 miles of Briscoe. She says she already has to listen to planes overhead and wonders why isn't the airport utilized more.

"Briscoe Field  is one of those diamonds in the rough that's just waiting to be polished. it would be phenomenal for redevelopment and the economy and just the boost in the arm that we need," said Hastings.

The new batch of Gwinnett County commissioners appears  more than a little aware of the controversy. Each talked about the need to hear from residents before coming to any decisions.

"We have not made a decision," said Commissioner Lynette Howard.

Many citizens have complained that they feel the previous Barod of Commissioners was not interested in public input.

One of the holdovers from the last group of commissioners, Mike Beaudreau, addressed that squarely.

"I think it is really important this board get off on a different footing than the previous board even though I was part of that board," said Beaudreau.