Adams, Kevin (OST) r:: r, . 

From: David Blumenthal [blumenthald@frontier.com] L. '^ •,_ 

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 4.05 PM - L i; ';.. . : 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Cc: senator@levin.senate.gov; senator@stabenow.senate.gov ' ' • ' _ <; o ]: 5C 

Subject: Essential air service for Alpena, Michigan 

Dear Mr. Adams and Senators Levin & Stabenow: 

I recently received a request to send an email to each of you with certain "canned" information. However, instead I am 

going to send you my own version {a similar email was sent to Rep Benishek). 

First, let the record show that I fully understand that one reason we can't reduce the federal deficit is because of emails 

such as mine. 

It is no secret that Delta has announced plans to withdraw from Alpena (APN airport) as soon as possible, probably 

because they feel that air service is under utilized in Alpena (in English, they are losing money even with a subsidy). Two 

companies have submitted proposals for air service and if either proposal is accepted, it is almost certain that air service 

to and from Alpena will add a whole new meaning to being under utilized. At the same time Delta is bidding on Pellston, 

Escanaba and the Soo. Looking at a map only the Soo is farther from another airport (Ok, there is an airport in Soo, 

Ontario but that means Canadian service). I know that Pellston gets a lot of traffic out of Petoskey but Petoskey is closer 

to Traverse City than Alpena is to Traverse or MBS airport (Saginaw). And, Escanaba isn't that far from Marquette. This 

has me real confused; it must mean that Alpena is a real loser in the air line business. 

In any case, I ask each of you (or your staff) to review this situation and see what needs to be done to retain a company 

with the caliber of Delta serving Alpena. Furthermore, I honestly believe that the best service for Alpena is through Detroit 

and anything else (Cleveland etc) will result in a reduction of the current volume of air travelers. 

We have enough economic problems in this part of the state because of our isolation and if the air service falls apart, it 

will be a true death wish for Alpena. 

Sincerely, 

David Blumenthal CPA 
Adams, Kevin (OST) 

From: Genschaw, Steve [genschaws@alpenaschools.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 1:42 PM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Subject: Alpena Left Out In The Cold 

Hello Kevin, 

Though I have not utilized our local air service enough to make me a qualified speaker, I can tell you that not 

having a service provider similar to Delta in Alpena Michigan will have a profound impact on our community 

and local economy. As a school principal, Alpena Public Schools has often depended on speakers for 

professional development to have quality transportation both in and out of our local airport. The Gulf Stream 

bid which would utilize Cleveland as it's hub simply does not make sense for the people who demand quality air 

service. 

Quite depressing to hear that our enplanements have soared to a level that speaks well for demand, but we are 

forced to swallow a pill that will essentially stifle future growth. 

Please listen to some voices of reason, versus just those who speak with $$$. 

Thank you, 

Steve Genschaw 

Principal 

Thunder Bay Junior High 

3500 South Third Ave 

Alpena, MI 49707 

Phone: (989)358-5433 

Fax: (989)358-5499 

E-mail: genschaws@alpenaschools.com 
Adams, Kevin (OST) 

From: Holcomb, Brenton [holcombb@alpenaschools.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 1:27 PM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Sublect: Alpena Regional Airport Service 

Dear Kevin, 

I wish to voice my concern that the companies that bid for the contract to provide air service to Alpena are not 

satisfactory. The subsidy is an over payment for a severe reduction in service. For NE Michigan to have to 

travel to Cleveland for connecting flights is not OK. We came to rely on a level of service when traveling to 

and from Alpena. It is not reasonable to expect that we are going to accept a provider with a lesser offer than 

we have grown to depend on. 

Please use your position to insure that Alpena gets a quality provider of air travel to NE Michigan. With a 

subsidy of $3,000,000 I would ask that you maximize the impact for the community of Alpena. 

Sincerely, 

Brent Holcomb 

Superintendent, Alpena Public Schools 
Adams, Kevin (OST) 

From: Jackie Krawczak Ijkrawczak@alpenachamber.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 12:07 PM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Subject: Alpena Air bids 

Mr. Adams, 

The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce adamantly opposes awarding the bid for air service to Gulfstream. We know 

best what will work for our community and awarding the bid to the proposed, would undoubtedly lead to a decline in 

economic development for the region. There are several reasons we believe this is a poor choice for Alpena: 

• We need guaranteed code-sharing and this current bid does not guarantee code-sharing. 

• Over 3 million dollars in Essential Air Service subsidy for less service is not a good use of taxpayer money, 

especially when it means a decrease in service from the current carrier (and they were getting less than half 

that amount in subsidy) 

• If Alpena passengers experience a cancelled flight in Cleveland, there are very few options in getting home 

when compared to Detroit 

• The current bid does not give us clear expectations on ticket prices fn all situations. 

• The planes proposed are much smaller - with no restrooms. Although the air time is just over an hour, the 

actual time on the plane is much longer, possibly leaving people in a very uncomfortable situation. 

• Our community deserves better - the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and the Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary have a very important need for reliable air service that the current bids do not 

meet. 

• The current bidder does not have a strong network of support. There are a limited number of planes 

available for them to serve their market(s) so where does that leave us when a plane experiences 

mechanical issues? 

• Cleveland is not a gateway airport and would add an extra stop to most flights. This adds time and expense 

to our travelers. 

• We would like the DOT to re-bid service to Alpena so we can find a better solution. 

• We need more time on this because the issue is more about lack of competition than it is about cost and we 

need time to find the best solution for all parties involved. 

• Alpena's traffic is up two years in a row and our projections, based on economic development projects and 

activity show continued increases in traffic. 

• Cancelled seats are currently being used when figuring load factors and are driving that percentage down. 

Seats on cancelled flights should not be counted as open seats when figuring load factors. 

I am sure the DOT does not want to put Northeast Michigan in a position where we are no longer competitive in the 

global marketing, where we will have to cancel economic development opportunities currently in the works, and 

where we lose population because of a decision made by the DOT to award us with a less than satisfactory carrier. 

Please do not award this bid to Gulfstream - we can come up with a better alternative/solution to meet everyone's 

needs and not jeopardize our future as a community. 

jQcbie Krawczab 

Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce 

Executive [director 

989.354.4181 

www.alpenQchamber.com 
Adams, Kevin (OST) 

From: Lillian Shriner [bshriner@freeway.net] 

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 10:50 AM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Cc: senator@stabenow.senate.gov; senator@levin.senate.gov 

Subject: Alpena Michigan Airport Airline Services 

Dear Mr. Adams, 

We sincerely request your support in helping our community indentify a reasonable solution for adequate air service, I 

understand your office is responsible for allowing an extension for other airlines to re-bid on our needed service. 

As you know we have had an insufficient amount of time to explore possible options to maintain air service into the Detroit 

Airport. Since Detroit is the most sensible destination for our geographic location we believe any other airport Is only 

going to cause our community more harm. 

Please know we are eager to work together to find a service provider who can meet all of our needs and not to be hasty in 

selecting a carrier that will only cause us more economic damage. 

We welcome your support. 

Sincerely, 

Lillian Shriner 

16671 ShubertHwy 

Alpena, Ml 49707 

989-595-3386 
Adams, Kevin (OST) 

From: Missi [missi@mpalpena.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 1:42 PM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Mr. Adams: 

The current bidders are not satisfactory to the service required in Alpena. With the proposed service from Gulfstream we 

will be at a huge disadvantage economically. We will see our enplanements decrease. We deserve better than a small 

airplane with no restroom - and to Cleveland! We will see opportunities pass us by because we do not have the air 

service necessary for the opportunities to take place here. It is always a misuse of tax dollars to fund a subsidy of over 3 

million dollars a year for a much lesser service - twice the subsidy as Delta currently receives! 

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Adams , Kevi n (OST) 

From: tony skiba [drsklba@hotmail.com] 

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 2:13 PM 

To: Adams, Kevin (OST) 

Subject: Delta 

TO WHOM U MAY CONCERN: 

We need Delta to stay in Alpena. 

Cleveland does not offer enough transfers to final destinations. 

The planes proposed are too small, and no bathroom availability. 

Our community deserves better. 

Cleveland's not a gateway airport and would mean extra stops and expense. 

Alpena's traffic with Delta has increased the past two years. 

Please help keep Delta in our community. 

Regards, 

Dr. Tony F. Skiba