In response to recent letters from Marion County residents in support of bringing commercial flights to Ocala International Airport, several Ocala residents wrote in to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the city’s airport needs.
“No, the growth thing is ridiculous and we do not need commercial flights. First of all, the traffic in that area is already bad with West Port High and now the building of a charter school. Second, the area where these flights would go over, that would be our homes with all the noise. We do not need that nonsense. When we checked Ocala out years ago, we knew we had to drive to Orlando to the airport. We did not, and do not, mind. Many of us do not mind at all. What mattered then and now is the tranquility that this beautiful county had. No, I reiterate, we do not need the additional traffic, noise, or growth. If being that close to an airport with commercial flights is so important, move to Orlando or even Miami, cities with lots of growth and noise,” says Ocala resident Marta Varnell.
“I will never understand why people move here to escape the congestion, traffic, etc. of major metropolitan areas and then start wanting to make Ocala a major metropolitan area. If you wanted a commercial airport, why didn’t you stay in Orlando or Miami or Tampa or New York? It’s bad enough that the beauty of Ocala and what has made it different from other areas of Florida, its rural atmosphere (Horse Capital of The World), is becoming ‘Warehouse Capital of Florida.’ People are complaining about congestion on our roads. What do you think a passenger airport is going to do to the traffic problem? For those who have written to complain about going to the airport in Orlando or Tampa because of traffic or safety, now you want to bring the same thing here? I say a big no,” says Carol Demme, Ocala resident.
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