Air park owner writes letter to the editor of the newspaper he is suing – go figure,

By Vince Rossi

July 15, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

It has been suggested that I am suing a number of people who have publicly opposed the expansion of the Burlington Executive Airpark‎ to try to shut them up. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mr. Rossi focuses on the water testing reports – which are a serious concern. Most people think it is far too early to tell if the water table is being contaminated. Little is known about where much of the landfill came from. \that it was dumped with out a site plan is seen as outrageous to almost everyone. Mr. Rossi makes no mention of his “unlicensed landfill operation”.

The fact is I welcome debate on the future of the Airpark, the important role it plays in our community, and the future potential it represents in terms of jobs and economic opportunity.

The reason I am suing is because despite repeated attempts to reason with this small group of people, they continue to knowingly spread false information that is damaging both to the Airpark and to me personally.

Seven different reports by independent third-parties including Halton Region, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada, and Pinchin Environmental have found no safety issues with the commercial fill we have been using as part of the planned expansion of the Airpark. These same reports conclude that local well water and soil quality are not being negatively affected by any of our expansion activities.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, the opponents of the Airpark continue to engage in fear-mongering. They rely on a single report that is full of errors and omissions – so much so that it has been discredited by the provincial environment ministry.

If they were being completely transparent, they would admit that this is a run-of-the-mill commercial dispute. Nothing more.

The leader of this group owns a horse farm just north of the Airpark. She apparently feels that we cannot co-exist even though the Airpark at its current location since 1962. It’s equally apparent that she feels she is unlikely to gain much sympathy if the public knew the true nature of the dispute, and that it revolves around her own financial interests.

There is the belief in the minds of many that the tonnes of landfill dumped on air park property without adequate testing has the potential to seriously damage the water table. Rossi argues that six of seven reports prove him right – then why the problems with Freedom of Information requests ask the citizens of rural Burlington.

Despite all the evidence to the contrary she and others insist in referring to the single flawed report.  Trust me, if I could get them to stop suggesting that local well water is being contaminated without having to go to court, I wouldn’t be in court.  As it is, going to court is my only recourse.

Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Air Park and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company, at a meeting in a barn one property away from the end of one of his two runways.

The Airpark is a key transportation and training facility that also provides a vital humanitarian role, facilitating organ donation flights and patient transfers to local hospitals that don’t have heli-pads or landing facilities. Police, military and search and rescue teams regularly use the Airpark, as well.

In short, the Airpark is an essential community and regional asset, and the case for expansion is compelling. It will create even more opportunities for employment, training and economic development in our area.

I welcome discussion on the future of the Airpark and I am more than happy to work with my neighbours and the community at large to find a way forward. My only request is that we stick to the facts.

Vince Rossi is the owner of the Burlington Executive Airpark.