January 2025 Charbonneau Villager January 2025 | Page 9

Charbonneau Villager January 2025 A9

Civic Affairs

By DAVE MAUK

Turning the calendar

Happy New Year ! There ’ s something about the start of a new year that gives us a fresh perspective on the past year and what might be ahead

MAUK in the next one , like improvements to French

Prairie Road ’ s walking paths . I want to make a big shoutout to those who turned in their opinions in the survey for this . Wilsonville planners deserve thanks too , in asking us for feedback about what our residents would prefer for traveling on our signature roadway . It will be interesting to see what happens on this as the new year moves forward .

As the calendar changes , so do a number of other things . Charbonneau will usher in one of our own as a new member of Wilsonville ’ s city council — country club board president Anne Shevlin . With this , we owe an appreciative round of applause in gratitude to Charbonneau resident Dr . Joann Linville for her many years of service as city councilor .

Your civic affairs chair is attending Wilsonville ’ s Civic Academy class of 2025 , with the goal of developing knowledge and contacts that benefit Charbonneau in the years to come . This might have been decided before considering there could be homework ! I ’ ll keep you posted on whether I ’ m keeping up or flunking out .

Though so far , so good , as the first session of class was a thorough overview of the functions , departments and roles for our local government . I did an off-thebooks ‘ extra credit ’ assignment with a

trip to Salem to meet some of our state legislators and their assistants , guided by academy instructor and Wilsonville / Charbonneau consultant Greg Leo . It was a valuable day that will be helpful during the 2025 legislative session in dealing with issues that effect our community , particularly transportation .

The final 2024 meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee for the Aurora State Airport Master Plan was held in December . At this point in time , the future of the airport is as opaque as our gray , cloudy January sky . Considering that the region has been dealing with potential expansion of the airport for nearly a decade and a half , it ’ s no surprise that the future remains inconclusive .

Airport advocates , including its operator , the Oregon Department of Aviation , are determined to shove , twist and maneuver to get their way in defiance of neighboring communities , common sense , history , data , safety and financial merit . Charbonneau is on record with specific reasons for our opposition . Expanding the size and usage of the airport is less safe , noisier , more environmentally harmful , less peaceful and decreases our property values and our quality of life .

What ’ s to like ? We give up too much for receiving no benefits . Airport jobs and its utilization as a general aviation airport , and civil air base for emergencies , won ’ t go away if the expansion project doesn ’ t take off . And we ’ ll have less noise overhead and less chance of an accident on the ground .

Finally , your Transportation Task Force delivered its detailed position documents to the state ’ s transportation leaders in time for deliberations in the 2025 legislative session , when transportation planning and funding will be addressed after the tolling plan crashed . Hopefully we can bring good news to you throughout 2025 . Until then , best wishes for a rewarding , healthy and happy new year !

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