A proposal for a regional airport shared by Pella and Oskaloosa is not getting clearance to land from everyone. A group called “TARA”, or Taxpayers Against Regional Airport, spoke out against the idea at this week’s Oskaloosa City Council meeting. Group members are worried the airport might create noise and decrease the value of their property at the proposed location near Leighton along Highway 163. Pella Mayor Ted Zylstra is on the committee that’s exploring the airport. He says understands the concerns of opponents, but he says it’s too early to get so worked up.Zylstra wishes critics would have invited planners of the airport to talk to them about the issue at their recent meeting. He says they’re getting upset prematurely as the project isn’t a go yet. Zylstra says he’d like to explain the project to those who object before they turn it down.He says if the two cities agree to the proposal, an airport authority would be developed and would move forward with a plan. A public meeting on the issue has been tentatively set for August 26th.
