Jackie A. Walker 

Clinton County Legislator, Area 8 

229 Champlain Drive 

Plattsburgh, New York 12901 

Phone: (518) 563-8525 

awalker8991@Charter.net 

Mr. Dennis J. DeVany, Chief 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Essential Air Service Division 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

West Building, 18th Floor 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington DC 20590 

Dear Mr. De Vany: 

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February 1,2010 

I am writing this letter in support of Cape Air. During my nine years as a Clinton County 

Legislator, I have witnessed two airlines here in Plattsburgh in the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program 

that have failed. Weare now served successfully by Cape Air. Over the last two years, Cape Air has 

consistently increased enplanements and have overwhelming support from their ridership--the everyday 

taxpayer of Clinton County. 

I represent Legislative Area 8 where the airport is located, and I have been a member of the 

Plattsburgh International Airport Committee (PIAC) since its inception. Until about two months ago, I 

had never heard of Colgan Pinnacle. At that time, Garry Douglas, Director of the Plattsburgh-North 

Country Chamber of Commerce, attended our PIAC meeting. During this meeting, he introduced the 

Committee members to Colgan, via a teleconference call. That is the only contact I have ever had with 

Colgan. Two weeks ago, Mr. Douglas told me personally that it has taken him three years to convince 

Colgan to come to Plattsburgh. During that conference call with Colgan, we asked about the Lake Clear 

stop. Colgan officials stated that Plattsburgh did not have enough enplanements without that stop. Two 

months later, do we? 

Colgan has a history, easily accessible from the internet, of their proposals for other EAS contracts 

with low ticket prices that once awarded the contract, the prices become excessive. It is there in black and 

white. Colgan is also asking for approximately $800,000 more than Cape Air for Essential Air Service to 

Plattsburgh. This request for more dollars to give us less flights at increased ticket prices and 

subsequently removing a successful airline from the EAS Program is unacceptable to me. Plattsburgh has 

the best EAS partner in our history. Ridership is increasing daily, consumers love Cape Air, and in our 

two year partnership with Cape Air, we have received no complaints. 
Mr. Dennis J. DeVany 

February 1,2010 

Page 2 

My last concern is that because of some uninformed community leaders, the integrity of the EAS 

Program is in jeopardy. EAS is to assist Plattsburgh residents. It is not for the residents of the 

metropolitan Montreal area. They are not in the program. When three out of the four Plattsburgh 

International Airport Committee members support Cape Air, the fourth undecided, perhaps it is because 

she is liaison to the Chamber, that speaks volumes. Colgan has shown very little interest in Plattsburgh. 

Clinton County has a success story with Cape Air. Let's continue two more years. Perhaps they 

will grow us out of the EAS Program! Onward and upward! 

Sincerely, 

Jackie A. Walker 

County Legislator, Area 8 

JAW/mal