The Shopper News, Wednesday, October 18, 2000 Opinion In ‘plane’ English, airports should be better neighborsFor residents who live next to airports, the sounds and the smells are a constant unwelcome neighbor, a part of their everyday lives. However, just because the airport is next door does not mean that it should not try to be a better neighbor. Such is the case with Teterboro Airport. Over the years, as traffic routes have changed and airplane traffic has increased, Teterboro’s neighbors have become more critical of the airport, to the point of asking for a curfew. As a result, an organization called the New Jersey Aviation Association is lobbying against changes. However, changes seem to be necessary. One major traffic route flies over Hackensack University Medical Center, which is hardly ideal. The idea of phasing out the noisier turbo-jet engine planes, which is being pursued by U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, (D-Fair Lawn) offers promise, and a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., when most residents are sleeping, seems reasonable. Airports have an important purpose in our community, and noise will never entirely go away. However, they also have to be good neighbors, and making some reasonable changes would be beneficial to our area. ####
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