Commercial Air Service-Paine Field

Paul Roberts has spent the last twenty-five years in sighting the aviation industry in Washington. He was an Advisor to former Governor Booth Gardner and helped bring Naval Station Everett to the area. His efforts are responsible for the 787 being built at Paine Field. According to Roberts all components of the aviation industry in Washington support Commercial Service at Paine Field. FAA regulations and funding aviation projects could be in jeopardy if commercial air service is not approved.

The only disagreement between Paul Roberts and Mayor Joe Marine about Paine Field is Commercial Air service. The Mayor showed an overview of the landscape in South Carolina with acres of land recently purchased by Boeing for added expansion and that the space at Paine Field was to small for Boeing expansion and Commercial Air Service. Obviously, Roberts disagreed citing the opportunity that South Carolina is monitoring is whether Paine Field is meeting its FAA requirements. Roberts commented that if all of the grant opportunities are not met by Paine Field, the property in South Carolina will be greatly enhanced by all of the new work sent their way instead of Paine Field. Burke and Associates whom Paul Roberts retired from said that the economic impact of every airport that has commercial air service improves the various fields like Paine Field. Only two gates are needed for the COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE AT PAINE FIELD.

Finally, Boeing's maximum use is 1.5% of the total Paine Field operations. Paine Field is operating at less than 50% so their is room for improvement. Standing in its way, is a lawsuit filed by the City of Mukilteo against Commercial Air Service at Paine Field. But there is still room for Boeing expansion with the proposed Commercial Air Service and is biggest enough in land base to compete with South Carolina. Roberts disagreed with the Mayor's comments that Commercial Air Service would take away the Boeing 777 needs in terms of space.

Here is some background on our two speakers:  Paul Roberts has extensive experience in transportation, aviation, land use, environmental and economic policy. He was responsible for the environmental review of Boeing's expansion to build the 777 aircraft (1988-1991).  Besides working for Governor Booth Gardner, Roberts was the Chief of Staff for Congressman Norm Dicks, Everett Site Coordinator for Governor Gary Locke's Team Washington bringing the 787 assembly to Everett. He was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to the Washington State Aviation Planning Council.  Plus, Governor Jay Inslee has ask Roberts to participate in the sighting of the Boeing's newest plane the 777x.  Roberts is a Everett City Councilman, chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Board of Directors and Vice Chair of Sound Transit and on the Board of the Association of Washington Cities.

Joe Marine is currently serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Mukilteo. He was elected in 2005. Previously he served on the Mukilteo City Council and was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives for the 21st District. He is the past President of the Snohomish County Association of Cities and Towns, served as Chair of the Community Transit Board and currently serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council's Executive Board and is Secretary of the Association of Washington Cities and the National League of Cities Leadership Training Council. Active as a member of the Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo Club.

This was an extremely important program and worth viewing. Another fantastic weekly program with two really exceptional speakers.