On Tuesday, July 12, Mayor Bob Kiss sent a memorandum to the Director of Parks & Recreation Commission stating his approval of the Vermont Air National Guard Charitable Foundation’s air show staged for the Summer of 2013.
Due to the number of complaints sent to Kiss regarding the 2006 air show over Burlington’s waterfront park, a public forum was promised before another show was approved. This forum took place on April 26 of this year. Many showed up to the forum to speak both against and in favor of the 2013 air show.
Supporters lauded the show as a way for Vermonters to demonstrate their appreciation for the Vermont Air National Guard, it’s charitable efforts, and the business it brings to Burlington.
Some of the complaints of those speaking against the air show claimed that it was too noisy, had a negative environmental impact and that is was scary for younger children. Many complained that the air show was terrifying for those who had experienced and survived air-to-ground bombings in the past.
Despite the protests, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted 4-0 in support of the 2013 air show. Although they plan to take into account two of the Mayor’s recommendations for any future shows: 1) that carbon offsets are undertaken for the emissions that the show and warm-ups produce; and, 2) that air shows don’t include national demonstration teams such as the Thunderbirds who performed in 2006.
Kiss stated, ‘â ¦as Mayor, I endorse the interests of the Vermont Air National Guard Charitable Foundation to stage an air show in Burlington in 2013 ‘ with my hope that the Air Guard will agree to the two recommendations I made to the Commission and the Commission generally supports.’
Source: VBM, 7-13-2011