A voice of reason has finally crept into the Peotone Airport debate.

The pure voice of reason, so often muffled, finally echoed throughout Illinois media recently. It was that of Michael Boyd, a Colorado aviation consultant of Boyd Group International, Inc., the company co-founded by Boyd in 1984. 

Boyd who began his aviation career at American Airlines in 1971 has an independent philosophy that rings throughout his company. That quality has catapulted the Boyd Group to become one of the most respected voices in the industry.

Boyd is not a political pundit. He is not a mouthpiece for proponents of building a new airport near Peotone which has traditionally filled countless pages of newspapers for as many years. Instead, Boyd is an independent aviation expert, which is not normally associated with the Peotone project. Perhaps that explains why newspapers from all over the state have picked up an Associated Press story recently that quoted Boyd as he warned against proceeding with a new airport near Peotone.

For this one story, headlines were varied; each told the story in its own way. Headlines included: “Aviation consultant predicts losses for proposed Peotone airport project; Would Peotone be next airport boondoggle?; and Critic says third airport could be fiasco.”

No matter what the headline, the message was clear. Claims that a Peotone airport would be some kind of panacea for the State of Illinois in general and the south suburbs in particular is nothing but a bunch of hooey. Rarely has there been a news story about this project that wasn’t spun out of a positive press release issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation, governor’s office or worse yet, by one of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s cohorts.

This was an honest, indisputable airport story and it was damning.

From what I could glean, the first story was reported in the Bloomington Pantagraph, and picked up from there. It quoted Michael Boyd as saying the Peotone airport could be a “major fiasco” similar to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in southwestern Illinois. He called MidAmerica “a monument to dishonest planning.” Last year, MidAmerica Airport posted an operating loss of nearly $12 million, according to the Pantagraph.

Countless other people, including myself, have said the same thing for years, but coming from an aviation consultant of Boyd’s caliber, the facts are worth listening to.

Boyd’s comments were prompted by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn saying a compromise to move the Peotone Airport planning were forthcoming. He referred to a compromise in the governing of the project, not the need for the project, which remains unproven.

As Boyd points out, Illinois has seen a 10-percent drop in the number of people traveling to and from its nine airports. Routes are being cancelled, and arguably the largest carrier, American Airlines’ parent company AMR Corp. recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

Of the Peotone project, Boyd also categorized it as a “solution looking for a problem.” He says it is a political project fueled more by politics than need.

It is too bad for former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich that he engaged with the likes of Jesse Jackson, Jr. It was a trifling that cost him his freedom.<< MORE >>

Allegiant Air announced it will begin commercial air service at Gary/Chicago International Airport in February 2012.<< MORE >>

Can we believe Jesse Jackson, Jr. and his less than monogamous relationship with the truth?<< MORE >>

IDOT continues its longtime practice of 'spinning' the news. Read about the latest examples.<< MORE >>

Just a little common sense<< MORE >>

Good for IDOT and its affiliates for their effort to collect food for needy families. I just can't help but question the motives behind this grand gesture. << MORE >>

Jesse Jackson Jr's claim that he has a shovel-ready project at no cost to the taxpayers is more of the same jive talk he has been spewing for years. Read more to learn why.<< MORE >>

Isn’t it interesting that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. finally came to Peotone, the place he has been talking about for 18 years, the place that has been the focal point of his congressional tenure, the place he wants to decimate and urbanize? Videos of his visit included.<< MORE >>

It comes as no surprise that Debbie Halvorson will run for the 2nd congressional seat now held by Jesse Jackson, Jr. However, it might be fun to watch.<< MORE >>

Sometimes it has to be all about garnering attention. And that is exactly what Anthony Rayson and George Ochsenfeld have done with their attempt to transfer the curse of the Billy Goat from the Chicago Cubs to the Peotone Airport (with pictures and video).<< MORE >>

My apologies to anyone who read my previous post regarding future air service at the Gary/Chicago International airport.I have several reactions about the miscommunication, or whatever it was, regarding the big announcement at the Gary/Chicago International Airport, scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 28.<< MORE >>

About that announcement where the Gary/Chicago Airport was going to begin air service by Allegiant Air, well, as the old Saturday Night Live character Emily Litella, played by the late Gilda Radner,... << MORE >>

Once again, there will be air service flying out of the Gary/Chicago International airport, Chicagoland's third airport. << MORE >>

Despite talks of budget cuts, economic recession, and laying off more than 1,900 state workers in Illinois, its transportation department has hired 16 new employees—supervisors—that critics claim are not needed. << MORE >>

We will never forget the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, but we must also not forget the results of what happened after that day when we invaded a country based on lies. << MORE >>

A video of "the compound" tells the tale. Since the 1980's when politicians got the idea that crop land was expendable and should give way to a new use—the Peotone Airport—little has remained the same. << MORE >>

The Daily Herald, a newspaper in the Chicago suburbs is planning to charge for online subscriptions. I think it is a big mistake. What do you think? Leave a comment.<< MORE >>

I feel as though I've given in to the dark side. I finally got a new computer. << MORE >>

Just how did Jesse Jackson, Jr. get out of serious potential trouble during the trial of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich? If you have an answer, don't hesitate to leave a comment. I for one, am dying to know.<< MORE >>

For years, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. has mislead the public on the location of a proposed new airport—his pet project. The fact is that until now, the project has been outside Jackson's district. Due to redistricting, Jackson's district will now include the Peotone area. He won't have to lie about where his pet project is located. Now if only he would tell the truth about the project's benefits/impacts. << MORE >>

One of the obstacles facing the State of Illinois in their effort to build a new airport near Peotone, is a 100-year old man named Anthony Rudis. << MORE >>

Despite the sunny skies and warm temperatures, north-central Arkansas is still reeling from the effects of a series of torrential rains. Flooding continues.

The White River basin has experienced so much rainfall that the flood-retention potential of the reservoirs on the White River system have exceeded their capacity. There has just been too much rain resulting in too much water.

Following one of the many articles in the local newspaper, The Baxter Bulletin recently, I noticed a comment about the dams not having any effect at all on flooding. The commenter suggested that it is almost like there aren't any dams at all.

I have to take issue with that. The dams have worked well. Yet, when they were designed, it was impossible to predict the kind of rain that has been experienced this year. I cannot imagine how horrific and widespread the flooding would have been without them. More lives would have been impacted and undoubtedly more lives would have been lost.

At its peak, a record high for water spilling from Bull Shoals dam was 58,000 cubic feet per second.

Controlling the White River basin is complicated, but basically, it began at Beaver Lake. With so much rain, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to release water from the spill gates from the dam at Beaver Lake (near Eureka Springs, AR). The rush of water compromised the storage capacity downstream at Table Rock Lake, (Branson, MO) which also experienced record rainfalls. Those flood gates too had to be opened. When that occurred, people living along Lake Taneycomo, near Branson, endured major flooding. Because of the economic impact to Branson, affecting numerous homes and businesses, this became a huge news event.

The torrent continued to make its way into Bull Shoals Lake, which caused a need to open the spill gates at the dam there.

As I write this, the flood gates remain open at Bull Shoals, allowing 58,000 cubic feet of water per second to rush into the White River below. All 17 flood gates are open. It is a sight to see and hear.

Sadly, the result is high water in the generally tranquil waters of the White between Bull Shoals and Norfork. Homes and docks have been inundated by the swiftly rushing, but crystal clear, cool water.

We had almost 40 inches of rain in a less than two-week period. The rain was amazing. I have never seen anything like it.

While I feel for all those whose property is in a low-lying area, I have no sympathy for the arrogant and/or foolish people who built homes practically on the water's edge. The smart people, such as the pioneers who built the Wolf House, built it on a bluff overlooking the river. They still had their view of the river, but were protected by the nearly annual occurrence back then. They knew then and we should know now that rivers will always flood despite man's efforts. Man cannot overpower, out think, or out maneuver Mother Nature, so he shouldn't even try.

Except for the last day of this rainy spell, I have to say I enjoyed every minute of the rainy weather. Before this started, we were suffering from mild drought conditions. Rain was not something that came easily last summer. I used to watch out the window as clouds formed and then poof—they dried up and disappeared. It was depressing to watch all my plants shrivel and die. Flowers failed to bloom. Trees went into early dormancy. We even lost some. The vegetable garden was the worst of all. So, when the rains began this spring, it was time to rejoice. I had just planted the garden. It was thriving; everything was lush and green. We needed the rain.

Somewhere along the way, we crossed the line. I recall being just a little cranky on that last rainy day. I'm not sure if it was because I knew the rain was going to end, I missed seeing the sunshine, or if I had just reached a personal limit. I'm sure I would have continued my enjoyment of those dark, moody days, had it not been for the severe storms that accompanied  the heavy rain. The severity of the weather hit way too close to home, as we are only 80 miles from Joplin, MO where the death toll continues to climb, a week after the storm.

I have always been fascinated with flooding which hearkens back to when I was a small child, living on the south side of Chicago. My family lived on a street that dead-ended at a set or railroad tracks. A pedestrian viaduct below the the tracks allowed access to the other side. It was the way my brother and I walked to school every day. When the viaduct was flooded, we had to walk over the tracks instead. That was normally tabu, but was the only way during a flood. Such a forbidden trek was very exciting to a six-year old child. Apparently, that stimulation has followed me to adulthood.

I feel lucky to have survived this year's spring in the Ozarks.

Living in the Ozarks during this season has been a harrowing experience for many. Some have lost everything they own. Others have lost loved ones and cherished friends. A record number of severe weather events have befallen the hill country.

The Ozarks' springtime started with all the promise of new beginnings. Spring, the best time of year in my opinion, is when those winter doldrums give rise to new ambitions and renewed spirit as life begins anew in the forests and woodlands.

Things seemed to go swimmingly at first. Trees were budded. A hint of green colored the distant hills. Redbuds and dogwoods provided a respite for the long wait until leaves once again filled the branches.

It all began to change in mid-April, when the rain began.

The rain promised to aid the annual resurgence of flora and fauna. Trouble is, it didn't stop raining. At one point after a night of heavy rain, the rain gauge read '14 inches.' That was followed by four inches and then three inches. That continued for almost two weeks. I've since lost count. Suffice it to say we are now close to 40 inches of rain in a little over a month. Because we live on a hillside, we have had no ill effects from all that rain. In fact, I loved every minute of it. Our backyard resembled a tropical rain forest. To me, there is no better smell than the woods after a rain.

Such heavy rain combined with a huge snow melt in the northern states, all draining into the Mississippi River, caused record-setting flooding in the nation's largest river and its tributaries. The great flood of 2011 has claimed thousands of acres and produced millions of dollars in damage in several states.

In mid April, heavy moisture rising from the Gulf of Mexico with unseasonably warm temperatures collided with the cold dry air from the north. Fueled by an ambitious jet stream the result was an outbreak of severe storms.