The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-16
This Rock
of
Ours
By Bill Glib

Eventually, Key West is going
to have to secure another airport.
Meacham Field occupies too much
valuable land, presents a hazard
for future homes or businesses
which might build nearby, and at
the same time, discourages such
expansion because of the noise
nuisance. The big question seems
to be when, where, and how We
can find another location.
Boca Chica is no answer. Even
if the Navy were 10 permit civil
ian use of the field, it would mean
that military operations would be
either curtailed or held at their
present level. This would be a
severe blow to our town since few
people will deny that the Navy
has always been, and probably
always will be, more important
than tourist trade.
We need to help the Navy in
every way possible. Any attempt
to mix the operation of civilian
aircraft with that of the military
is going to do just the opposite. Ad-
ditional burdens will be placed
upon every enlisted man and Of
ficer on the field. Commercial air
planes will demand clearance
ahead of the military because they
are operating on a schedule. This
will merely be irritating to the
crews of propeller-driven planes;
jet pilots will find it more SER
ious situation because they can't
kill time at the end of a runway
waiting for another plane to take
off.
Big Pine Key seems to be about
the only suitable place for us to
develop another airfield. Either
there or fill in sufficient land out
in the Bay somewhere. The ex-
pense of making such a field
through dredging might be excus-
ed if, at the same time, we were
able to develop a decent yacht
basin in the dredged area. Even
then, it would be a huge under
taking-one which we're not ready
for until we're willing to admit the
necessity of a properly run Hair
Dor and Airport Authority.
"This Rock merely brought the
subject of another airport up be-
cause sooner or later, we are 60
ing to be forced to find one. The
chances are good that someone,
somewhere in the city can provide
a solution to the problem if he
Cor She) just gets his mind to
thinking.
City Hall Tower
For years I've worked In and
around City Hall. Until the tower
and clock were removed, I didn't
know anyone in Key West was
sentimental about the old build
ing. Now it seems that quite a few
people want to see the tower re-
placed. envy them because they
seem to be able to visualize an
enchanted castle there on Greene
Street where l can only see a
mouldy heap of brick, woodworms,
and dirt.
If the City has enough insurance
on the building and if the under
writer's wouldn't get mad at me,
I'd like to see the whole building
cave in - after all the workers
are out, of course. One of these
days I'm going to take a few
hours off and figure just how much
money the taxpayers have expen-
ded in an attempt to repair and
remodel City Hall. Even so, there
isn't a decent office or room in
the entire building.
Boxing Tonight
There are some mighty good
fights scheduled for tonight at
Wickers Stadium. It has been a
long time since Key West boxing
fans have had a chance to see
their favorite sport. If the bouts
are successful, there is no reason
why a reliable card cannot be
worked up on a fairly permanent
basis.
Key West is badly in need of
more sporting entertainment for
its Navy personnel. Softball and
baseball simply are not enough.
Perhaps you noticed the huge
crowd of sailors who attended
football games last Fall. The men
especially those under twenty
one-are starved for something to