The VABA strongly supports the Venice Golf Association, Inc. municipal Golf Course for the following reasons:

• The Golf Course provides a positive recreational venue for the non-aviation community.

• The Golf Course provides a source of revenue for the Airport and accordingly relieves taxpayers of that burden.

• The Golf Course attracts customers by air to all area businesses.

The Mayor, accompanied by the City Manager, the Airport Director and two members of the VABA/Citizens group met with the FAA Airports District Office in Orlando Florida on May 8^th, 2008 to present a compromise conceptual Airport Layout Plan.

The FAA representative made it quite clear to all in attendance, that the Golf Course exists primarily for the benefit of the Airport as it provides needed revenue.

Put another way, the FAA emphasized that it’s an Airport with a golf course, not a Golf Course with an airport.

Based upon a follow up letter to the May 8^th, 2008 meeting, received by the City from the FAA dated May 30, 2008, it may very well be necessary for alterations to be made to the Golf Course to comply with contemporary FAA airport design specifications. (Read the letter for yourself!)  VABA is interested in seeking solutions to these issues that minimize impact on the Golf Course.

VABA believes that it is imperative that the City of Venice open a dialog with the Venice Golf Association, Inc (as VABA has) to explore options for reconfiguring the Course that can result in an upgraded course as well as compliance with FAA requirements.