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Written by Press staff
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Airport supporters want city to know the airport could become an economic engine. A Cessna crosses over Tracy Boulevard to touch down on Runway 30 at Tracy Airport. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press City leaders need to reassess how they view the Tracy Municipal Airport, says mayoral candidate Celeste Garamendi. It’s a blessing, not a bane, she maintains. And instead of jumping through hoops to build around them, she says, the city should look at how to develop the historic landmarks into economic engines. The activist-candidate and a couple aeronautic experts plan to get together Thursday night at the Tracy Municipal Airport to talk about how to translate the airport’s potential into actual economic return. The meeting comes on the heels of a report on a proposed subdivision, which stated that a portion of the 1,650 planned homes, some shops and a water park would sit right under the airport’s flight path. Richard Ortenheim, an aviator, plane manufacturer and Tracy Airport commercial tenant, will speak at the meeting this week, which he’ll host at his company, Skyview Aviation. He said the city has for years tried to shortchange the airport and downplay its potential as a moneymaker for the city and harbinger of higher-paying jobs. “Tracy is trying to minimize this airport,” he said. “And I’m an entrepreneur. I’m not into politics, but I know what I can do for the city in terms of making money and helping the school system and bringing in good jobs.” As part of his presentation Thursday, Ortenheim will talk about his two- and five-year plans for the airport. He said he intends to hire up to 60 new employees and invest at least $10 million into his company during the next two years. Annually, he said he fully expects to net up to $70 million in taxable sales in coming years, which would rake in revenue for the city possibly for decades to come. “This’ll be a $100 million airport over the next 10 years,” he said. His main gripe, Ortenheim summed up, is that the city has been a poor steward of the two airports handed over decades ago by the Federal Aviation Administration to be managed locally. The federal administration still owns both the Tracy Municipal and east Tracy’s New Jerusalem airports, despite the city’s ongoing attempt to sell the latter. Also speaking at the meeting will be Denny Presley, a local pilot and outspoken airport advocate. Ortenheim said he’ll provide snacks and drinks at the meeting, which is open to the public. At a glance WHAT: Tracy Municipal Airport information meeting WHEN: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday WHERE: Tracy Municipal Airport, 5749 S. Tracy Blvd. INFO: Celeste Garamendi, 914-0792 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it • To reach a Tracy Press reporter or editor, call 835-3030 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 658 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (40) Subscribe to this comment's feed Show/Hide comments ... written by Jensen , August 21, 2008 YES YES YES! THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! I have met Richard, he is a really cool guy, way down to earth. I'm so glad he's come to Tracy, I really think he has the potential to turn it around. As for Celeste Garamendi, she keeps up this kind of positive attitude she'll certainly get my vote!!! ... written by Todd , August 21, 2008 Richard Ortenheim is full of hot air. He can not generate that amount of money nor can he employee that many people. He couldn’t generate close to that amount of money nor employ near that many people when his business was in Hayward. That’s exactly what he is an entrepreneur, just trying to con the city of Tracy in false hope, so he can continue his back room deals here in Tracy. The way the economy is in limbo and fuel prices at a high and he thinks he can generate that amount of money for the city. The only thing he’s generating is hot air. I’m absolutely positive the water park would generate more money and employ more people than SkyView Aviation. Richard Ortenheim is only concerned about his own interest and that’s $$$ and only this city would be stupid enough to allow that. I’m sure the citizens of Tracy would prefer a water park over airport expansion. ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 TRN, Are you using a new name Todd? ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 No one in Tracy wants a water park.Only Surland and city hall. A full service and fully functioning airport - YES! Todd, Are you a paid blogger for the city of Tracy? ... written by atomco , August 21, 2008 I want a water park. I don't think Tracy Airport will ever be an airport of consequence. Let it go and lets build something people can really use. Do you really want an airport in your backyard anyway? It's just increased noise pollution in my book. Not to mention Livermore Airport and Byron Airport are super close anyway. Why does Tracy need an Airport in the first place? ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 Airport came first! Who would buy a home in the flight path of airplanes? Only the city of Tracy would build homes and a water park under an existing flight path.... ... written by Dave Hardesty , August 21, 2008 I am a proponent for civil and commercial aviation and always have been. However, because of the physical constraints of the current runways, both 4,000 feet in length, coupled with the physical constraints of things like canals, roads and open quarries, I don't think it will ever be possible to extend either of those two runways to accommodate the type and weight class of aircraft at the Tracy facility. This coupled with years of community complaints about the aerobatic box and noise, not to mention encroachment that has already occurred in the area, leads me to believe that what you currently see is what you get concerning the Tracy Airport. The movement to expand that facility should have occurred over ten years ago. However it was not important to anyone at that time and now it's most likely too late to wind back the hands of time to a point in time where something like this could have been done. While I don't desire to see the airport atrophy I certainly don't see it expanding either. Therefore, in as much as I don't see any real possibility of airport expansion to accommodate the type of traffic Richard Ortenheim is proposing and, rather than do nothing, would rather see the surrounding properties put to better use to better accommodate the needs of the entire Tracy community and not just a few special interests involving aviation. Now I am open to rethinking this if someone can show me a reasonable plan by which these two runways can be extended and the noise to the residential communities already in existence can be adequately mitigated. Just a politician saying it can be done is not enough. Political promises can be easily broken. So if Celeste says it can be done my questions to her are how and how much will it cost? Dave Hardesty ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 Dave, You mean the special interest involving Surland and making sure that this project of the Ellis sprawl is built? Ives and the Amigos? The city hall effort to shut down or minimize the importance of our airport. The only special interest here is city hall and Brent Ives protecting Surland, Ellis, Serpa at all costs! ... written by Dave Hardesty , August 21, 2008 what? Your arguement would have some credability if you also went after your favorite political hacks who attempted to play a shell and pea game with Keenan Land development. But you don't want to mention that now do you? Unfortunately you are only focused on one thing and that isn't really good as you will miss everything else. Dave ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 Nice try Dave - I have no political affiliation, unlike you and your Ives cronies! ... written by what? , August 21, 2008 Crypt Keepers! ... written by UCoty , August 21, 2008 I don't think the airport needs Celeste Garamendi's (or is that Connolly?) help. I think she is the one full of hot air, not Richard Ortenheim. I hope SkyView Aviation is cautious of wolfes in sheeps clothing. IF some one were to bring a fancy and nice restaurant combined with a mueseum focusing on aviation, I think that would help put the Tracy Airport on the map and thus the City of Tracy would reap that benefit too. However, I would caution anyone on getting activists and wanna be politicians involved in a project like this. As I recall, wasn't it Celeste who tried to get Carneigie State Park shut down or closed because it was so close to her property or something like that? And wasn't she the same person who lobbied for and supported Measure A, which was a slow growth measure? Now, all of the sudden she wants to help the airport grow? Sure she does, and curb the development that is proposed nearby too! Makes sense huh? My suggestion, build the aquatics park next to the sports park at the Holly site. Leave the airport alone. It will grow at its own rate, and it will do fine. For those who don't know, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA'S) are getting popular, and as we see more of them, the traffic and income will increase at the airport. Build a really nice restuarant and mueseum and help it that way so more people get educated about aviation and its very important role in our lives and society. Don't let politics intervene, thats a double edged sword. ... written by Dave Hardesty , August 22, 2008 what? I suppose your fantasies have finally gotten the better of you. I have no political affiliations even though I do have my favorite candidates just as you do. At least I am honest with that, unlike you and the other names you use to post your drivel under. Oh wait, that’s not very polite of me is it? Well you reap what you sew. Dave Hardesty ... written by atomco , August 22, 2008 What is it with people wanting to save the old crap around here? So far I've heard: "Let's save the Holly Sugar Factory and make a museum of it" "Let's save the Airport and put in a nice restaurant with a museum" Etc. Lets face it, the Holly Sugar Factory is an eyesore that needs to be leveled and the airport is limited at best with lots of noise pollution. I can't wait until someone on here says, "Let's save the old rail cars on the Mococo Line and put a museum next to them". Right. Let's not. Let's move Tracy forward and get rid of the trash. The sports park will look so much better without a hugh abandoned sugar mill next to it and the area around the airport will be so much nicer without the airport. Face it, slow growth has done nothing for Tracy except developers to start new towns and developments outside of the city boundaries and Tracy's tax laws and fickleness have lost it many great retail stores to Manteca or elsewhere. If you don't wake up soon, you'll be surrounded by lots of nice towns with great shopping while you have your cow pastures and empty museums toward things people don't care about. It's time to move forward, not backward. ... written by Dave Hardesty , August 22, 2008 Ubbo The type of growth in the Airport that you are suggesting is feasible. Extension of the runway by an additional 500 feet to accommodate jet traffic isn't though, sad to say. Too many obstacles to overcome at this late date. But the idea of a restaurant and museum is not a bad idea. Having an Aquatics facility on the Holly property is also feasible. I honestly don’t care where it goes other than $20,000,000 that is involved and would have to come from somewhere. So far I don’t see any of that money for an Aquatics facility at Holly but do for the Ellis project. And I could care less which developer makes the money doing a deal with the city as long as that deal benefits all the citizens of Tracy and not a select few. If course you know this as you and I have discussed it on several occasions. And I also completely agree with you that none of this needs to be done with an activist politician with a dubious track record in things involving the good of the general public and feel your example of her/their attempts to shut down the Carnegie State Park facility is an excellent example of what she does and how she thinks. But like Obama, she talks a good talk and tells the masses what they want to hear, despite there is absolutely no substance behind any of what she has said. Finger pointing, blame laying and empty rhetoric, the stuff that many politicians are made of today. The sad thing is the amount of people that accept it as fact. Dave Hardesty ... written by atomco , August 22, 2008 And if you really want to save the downtown area and revitalize it, step 1 is to put a strong police presence to get rid of all trash and crime and step 2 is to attract families with attractive retail and restaurants. If you clean it, then build it, they will come. I would not go downtown at night and would not take my family in that area the way it currently is. ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 It is hard to change Tracy when you have the same leaders and people at city hall running things! Fire them all and vote out the INDUMBANTS! The keepers of the gate are old and cryptic. You have Dave, TRN, SKippy. Protect Ives and the same agenda (Protect select developers). Downtown merchants needs less government and more creative, interesting and independant representation. Someone who can generate business to the downtown area. Not TAX the crap out of the owners to accomplish the goal! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 Once again not one person running for Tracy has my vote! It gets old having Dave, TRN(SKip) campaign for Ives on the blog! ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 22, 2008 To the blogger known as "what?": Who are you talking about, campaign, cryptkeeper, Indumbants, etc.? You are beginning to sound a little like "bob blinker". Bottom line. Will there be another lawsuit? Why did Garamendi's TRAQC send someone from another city to deliver the last letter. Waiting to see if the lawsuit erupts. No, I'm afraid I won't be voting for Garamendi. Ask her to move the courthouse idea from between the RR tracks to the middle of the flight line. I'm afraid that might work better too. Will there be revenue from the next lawsuit? Who will collect the lawyer fees this time? You'll have to do better than that. She never had one plan that I thought could get off the ground. Was there ever a "promise" of "transparency"? What of the "plan" for the "8000" homes? Didn't her opponent say she does the exact same thing? Why don't you tell her to start with the "transparency". She can't really bring jobs to Tracy? Can she? Not interested in another of her courthouse ideas! Sorry, won't buy it! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 Skip, Ask that person yourself. Your always ranting and raving at Garimendi. Go to the source of your grief! Cryptkeepers - Dave and you! Indumbants - Incumbants ... written by Dave Hardesty , August 22, 2008 what? Now that sounds like someone who once told me to go excercise the freedom of information act while that person sat on information beneficial to all citizens of Tracy. I do agree with Skip, you sound like Bob Blinker. Welcome back Bob, you've been missed. Either you have something factually to contribute to the conversation or you don't. It's pretty easy to see you have nothing to contribute but venom against those who don't align with your line of thinking. As far as ranting and raving is concerned, take a look at your own posts before you accuse others. Resorting to name calling is the act of an ignorant mind that can't argue any other way. Dave Hardesty ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 Dave, Wrong, but nice try! ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 22, 2008 You just said that the source of grief will not be "transparent". I think your idea of voting out the incumbents is the dumbest idea since Garamendi's courthouse idea. This airport idea too. Truth is Garamendi can't produce jobs, or she would have produced a plan? Please pass the message: take your dumb ideas somewhere else! Thanks! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 What ideas are you blathering about? Your gripping needs to be addressed by Garamendi - not me! Am I being clear enough for ya, or can you understand this? You and Dave are the Crypt Keeper to Ives and the old agenda! ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 22, 2008 To what? I don't think you're being very clear at all. Garamendi can blog too, if she want's to answer. Take your dumb ideas somewhere else. If you vote out all the incumbents - I don't think you have a candidate. You could be the Krypt-keeper. Who knows? You don't seem to have answers, here. ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 Earth to TRN, Ask the woman yourself! I have no answers to your stupid questions! ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 22, 2008 This is a public forum. She can answer herself. She doesn't need you to tell us that. I think you guys are playing dumb. I don't see any transparency, here. ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 TRN, Yes, this a public forum. I can only speak for me, myself and I. Stop asking me to answer your ranting questions. I dont know how much more I can explain this to you. This is the third time, saying the same thing to you.....If you have a question for a political person... ask them not the bloggers on the forum! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 TRN,Skip, Many bloggers think you are a paid blogger for the city of Tracy and Brent Ives. How about that? Or you and Amy are the same blogger? ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 22, 2008 To the blogger known as "what?": You can think whatever you want about me. I can ask whatever I want, on here? It is a public forum, as I pointed out. But, if you can't answer questions without accusations, who will believe you? Perhaps you could just ask Garamendi to believe you. She may need supporters like you who wont ask questions. Cheers! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 TRN, Why would I answer any of your questions? Your fixation to Celeste is weird and almost an obsession of yours. Good luck with your holy grail of blather! ... written by what? , August 22, 2008 The Title to the Story is Up or Down.... Good description of you SkippY! The topic is the AIRPORT! ... written by fortheunderdog , August 23, 2008 And will everyone stop using the term transparent, transparency, or anything that closely resembles it when talking about candidates. Especially you TRN. It's a most annoying habit of yours. Cheers Thanks Good night ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 23, 2008 To the bloggers known as "what?" and "fortheunderdog": Please re-read the article. The Tracy Press (once again) mentions Celeste Garamendi in the first paragraph. Nobody else here, is attempting to redirect the focus of these bloggers. I think you are confused. When Garamendi "promised" to her supporters "transparency" she should have intended to deliver on that. If we had seen her deliver on it, then you wouldn't have anything to hide. Where are the TRAQC members hiding? Why didn't Garamendi (herself) deliver the lawsuit letter to the Council? What is she hiding from us? ... ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 23, 2008 The city doesn't have money to float any of Garamendi's paper airplaines. And I don't think her "promise" of "transparency" will ever get hot air. What we do see - are some alarming concerns that stem from her supporters who are refusing to address the issues. This is a chronich problem with Garamendi supporters who have turned a blind eye to the problems she has already created and think she should have a chance to redeem herself. I don't think it will fly! ... written by what? , August 23, 2008 TRN, You have some funky fixation! ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 23, 2008 I'm not sure what you're talking about. Funky, fixtation, cryptkeeper. I don't think you live in the city. I don't have a "funky fixation", or a "cryptkeeper". You could be confused. There are two airports. Which one are you representing? ... written by Tracy RealNews , August 23, 2008 Which City is Garamendi representing? Tracy? Or the Ranch? Will they be flying in to use the hunting preserve at the ranch? Not sure why the city will have to pay for this plan? Serpa offered us $20 million and 20 acres and a water park. This will cost us millions each year. More than maintaining a water park. The city doesn't even own a jet. They have families that want to use a water park. Swim lessons. Water Polo. Wave pool. Water slides. ETc. Garamendi's paper airplane will not fly and we wont be getting a free ride on her hot air balloon anytime soon??? I hope not! If Garamendi can't come up with a better plan, then find a better candidate! Thanks! ... written by what? , August 23, 2008 TRN, The story is about the future of the Tracy Airport. Not your fixation on C. Garamendi. Your like her cybor stalker! ... written by what? , August 23, 2008 TRN, Your cyberstalking of C. Garamendi is bordering on freakish! This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment. You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 August 2008 )