Denying use of runway to Skydive Tecumseh not ‘right or fair’

To the Editor,I am disappointed and saddened that the new airport owner, Andy Aalto, has decided to ban skydiving from Meyers-Diver’s airport effective immediately. I have not heard a reason except he does not like skydivers. If he wins the upcoming court case, this will be the first year in 51 years that there will be no parachutes descending over the north side of town.Each year, approximately three thousand people come to Tecumseh to make a tandem skydive. Most of these people bring friends and family with them. Usually there is a meal with friends after their skydive. We often send them to Muks Sports Pub, Embers, Sals, or JR’s for a meal. Dozens of regular skydivers come every weekend to spend their time and money here in Tecumseh. The fast food chains, pizza chains, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores all profit from our out of town guests.Skydive Tecumseh also does charitable work. Each year, there is a fundraiser for Canopies for Kids, which benefits CS Mott Children’s Hospital. Skydive Tecumseh also donates to Tecumseh Schools, Tecumseh Carnegie Preservation League, and the annual Art Bra Auction benefiting the women’s health center at Herrick Hospital. We also have donated tandem skydives to many fundraising efforts, including families trying to raise money for medical bills. And we support Habitat for Humanity, the Mom Prom, and the Pure Michigan campaign. Our Skydive Tecumseh bus has provided transportation for veterans for the Memorial Day and Christmas parades for several years.For many years, our professional skydivers have jumped into Little League opening day in Mitchell Park with the game ball.Our skydivers have also jumped into Tecumseh soccer games, Clinton football games, golf outings, Heritage Park for annual races, and special events in and around Tecumseh.Did you know Skydive Tecumseh has been in continuous operation since August of 1963? It’s the second oldest drop zone in the country. Did you know that national champions and world teams have trained here? Last June, our jumpers set state, national, and world records at our drop zone. Skydive Tecumseh employs 15 people and another 27 people file 1099 tax forms. During our six month season, 15,000 skydives are made over the airport.Tecumseh resident, Franz Gerschwiler, has owned the drop zone since 2008. He has made significant improvements to the 35 acres he owns on the airport. He has renovated one building, torn down two buildings, and added a large hangar for skydiving operations and indoor packing. He has added bathrooms, showers, improved the driveway and expanded the parking lot. He has improved the operation making it the premier drop zone in Michigan.On a personal note, my husband and I have been jumping here for 27 years. We built a house on Macon Rd one-half mile from the airport.We have made dozens of lifelong friendships over the years. And now, one man has decided we cannot skydive here anymore. It doesn’t seem right or fair. I wonder what Mr. Aalto will offer our community.Ronda CheeverTecumseh