A flagpole and U.S.A. flag have been placed in the taxi lane on city property beside the Ilwaco airport. The developer who created Vandalia constructed this taxi lane in 1970.

Les Swensen has told me many times that he would stop anyone from walking or taxiing by his property. He is the only pilot I know who would say such a thing. Most pilots help each other.

Les no longer owns the property nor has an easement to taxi to the airport, and the home is vacant most of the year. The pilots that need to pass by may only need to taxi by three to four times a year.

The City of Ilwaco has been notified and so far hasn’t done anything. I have contacted the city attorney, but there is not much information there either. It is not clear if or when the flagpole will be removed or by who. The developer made the adjacent landowners responsible for the maintenance of tract ”D” which is part of the taxi lane. This is by an easement to the landowners, not the city.

If this goes through the court system, the taxpayers will pay the bill. I hope the city or Les will just remove the flagpole.

DON BERGER

Ilwaco