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P.O. Box 468 • Pellston, MI • 49769 

(231) 539-7355 (phone) • (231) 539-1221 (fax) 

jgillett1939@sbcglobal.net 

Department of Transportation 

Attn: Dennis DeVany •— •^l3!ipJf^~ 

1200New Jersey Ave., S.E. -^ =^55; ^ 

Washington, D.C., 20590 -^ S^Q P 

EAS@dot.gov J^ ^"' ' 

- J 

Jim Gillett 

Mayor/President, Village of Pellston 

Pellston, MI 49769 

jgillettl939@sbcglobal.net 

Dear Mr. DeVany and DOT officials. 

As mayor of the Village of Pellston, I am grateful for the opportunity to offer some feedback to you 

regarding Delta Airlines' recent proposals for service.at Pellston Regional Airport. There are many 

factors to consider in making this very important decision about which option best suits the airport, the 

community and Delta Airlines. 

I have been the Mayor/President of the Village of Pelhton for 13 years. In that time, I have had a unique 

perspective in watching the evolution of the community and the airport. PLN has grown from a small 

regional operation to a world-class facility connecting people and business in our global economy. We've 

experienced considerable investment in the airport, from the county, state and federal governments. In 

recent years, the investment in our community, too, has increased. In fact, this summer we celebrated a 

new streetscape, new businesses and new resideftts choosing Pellston as home base for business and 

family life. 

This is due in no small part to the presence of Pellston Regional Airport, which provides a critical link in 

both the tourism and commerce chains that originate from here. 

Prior to becoming Mayor of Pellston, I spent 30 years working in the airline industry and gained a 

valuable perspective regarding schedules and frequencies. In reviewing the three service options that 

Delta has submitted. Option 1 provides the best level of service for Pellston. 

In contrast. Option 3 would have an extremely detrimental impact on the airport and the community. A 

reduction in flights to one per day, at any time of the year, is not a viable option. One of the most obvious 

reasons: Even if aircraft maintenance and operations were 100 percent certain, we still have the weather 
to contend with in Pellston. In the last couple years, dozens of flights have been canceled here due to the 

weather. Fortunately, passengers have had the option of catching another flight once conditions improved. 

If there was only one flight a day, and it was canceled, passengers would quickly become disenchanted 

with flying from Pellston and they will seek other options - and airlines. This could have serious, 

negative impacts on the perception of Pellston Regional Airport, Pellston and Emmet County, and Delta 

Airlines. 

I feel that the additional subsidy cost to Delta from the DOT to provide a minimum of two flights a day is 

worth the investment of providing quality air service to local communities and the region as a whole, 

which is unique in its population and businesses. Pellston Regional Airport serves an incredibly diverse 

clientele which mirrors the communities it serves, from resorters in Petoskey, Bay Harbor and Mackinaw 

City to those arriving for getaways on Drummond and Mackinac Islands. We have folks running multimillion dollar, international companies from scenic shoreline homes that ring our area. Why? Because 

they prefer to be here rather than anywhere else. Convenient transportation options, like Pellston Regional 

Airport, make their investment in Emmet County possible. 

As the Mayor of the small village of Pellston, it's my responsibility to support my community and 

advocate for what's best for all those who live and work here. While our busiest season has traditionally 

been in the summer months, that trend is changing. Our county is home to two of the Midwest's best and 

most popular ski resorts, Boyne Highlands and Nub's Nob, which continue to grow. Our parks and 

recreation opportunities continue to develop and gain in popularity, and people are now more than ever 

able to choose where they live instead of where they have to work, thanks to technology and 

transportation options like nearby commercial airports. 

In fact, the most recent 2010 Census showed Northwest Michigan as one of just a few spots in the state of 

Michigan that are seeing g^ins in population as residents seek the shoreline communities of Emmet 

County to live, work and play. This trend alone helps to prove the necessity and future viability of a 

robust airport and reliable, regular commercial air service at Pellston. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. If I can provide any further details about our community or 

our airport, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Jim Gillett 

(231)330-1084 

cc: Kevin Adams kevinadams@dot.gov