MPPD, city should work out dispute

It's late. A court suit has been filed. Yet, if a way can be found, McCook Public Power District-REA and the City of McCook need to work out their differences for the mutual benefit of the community and the area.

The point of contention is a 390-foot communications tower, which McCook Public Power is proposing to install on the west edge of the REA's property on the northwest edge of McCook.

Both the REA and the city have legitimate concerns.

The REA needs the tower to reach out to all parts of the district with modern technology, including meter-reading, line-switching and outage connections. But, because of the height and location of the tower, the city fears it could jeopardize the future of the McCook Regional Airport.

Both sides' viewpoints are understandable. In REA's case, Manager Jim Phinney says it would cost considerably more to relocate the tower. "The estimated cost of the tower at the proposed location (near the REA building) is $270,000," he said. "If we move it three-fourths of a mile to the west, it is estimated the cost would rise to $2.4 million over a 50-year period."

But, in the view of city officials, pilots and economic development workers, the potential impact on the McCook Regional Airport could end up costing many times that amount.

The concern stems from frequent changes in Federal Aviation Administration orders. At last report, the FAA said the 390-foot tower was "not a hazard." However, Diane Hofer, a senior project engineer for airport projects, said there have been several cases in Nebraska where FAA order changes have done great harm to airports, including those at Loup City and Scottsbluff.

Hofer, who is with Olsson Associates, came to McCook Tuesday to meet with members of the McCook Chamber and Economic Development boards. She urged them to protect the airport investment, saying that $8 million has been invested in airport projects in McCook since 1952. This includes the $1.5 million ILS (Instrument Landing System), which has received federal funding and will be installed in the near future.

Of even greater concern, Hofer said, would be the cost to McCook if the airport had to be moved. "It would cost $40 million to build a new airport," she said.

The amounts are staggering. Rather than wait until it's too late, or until the court is forced to choose sides, it would better for the City Council and the REA board to get together to work out a compromise solution.

In the final analysis, the boards and the citizens they represent are in this together. They need to find a way to work out their differences for the mutual benefit of the community and area.