Fly Gwinnett Forward Seeks Referendum for Briscoe Field

Gwinnett's County Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on a proposal from Propellor Investments on the privatization/commercialization of Briscoe Field.  Lacking what many believed would be the deciding third vote due to Lasseter's resignation, many expect the motion will fail with a 2-2 vote.

In a press release late on Friday afternoon, Fly Gwinnett Forward is proposing that the "most appropriate way to resolve the issue surrounding Briscoe Field is for the County to release the proposal it received and for a referendum to be placed on the November Ballot by the Board of Commissioners."

When discussing the future of Briscoe Field, members of Fly Gwinnett Forward believe that this action would allow citizens the time needed to properly analyze the proposal on its own merits. This referendum would enable "all of the voting citizens of Gwinnett to make an informed decision."

At this time, neither citizens forming committees "for" privatation or "against" it, have had access to the proposal. Opponents have been vocal about the possibilities of failure and decreased property values in areas near the airport. Proponents believe the airport is a grossly underutilized asset that should be improved upon to affect a better economic climate in Gwinnett County.

The Dacula Patch has released a summary of the findings that recommended rejection contained in a memo, by Gwinnett County Director of Transportation Martin Conroy.

What do you think? Should the citizens be allowed to vote based on information within the proposal? Should this be put on a referendum in November for voters to decide?