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Santa Barbara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
Smart Voter

This is Chuck Damiano,

By Chuck Damiano

Candidate for Board Member; Santa Maria Public Airport District

This information is provided by the candidate
Attached is a short summary of my education, experience and What I hope to accomplish if elected to the Santa Maria Airport District Board.
I am 50 years old, I was raised and attended primary schools in New York City. I served in the United States Navy as a Machinists Mate and was honorably discharged in 1974. After leaving the Navy I moved to Florida and began working in the Aerospace Industry, building jet fighters, helicopters and eventually working on the Space Shuttle program. During that time I realized my passion for Aviation and began attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University night classes and earned a Bachelors Degree in Aeronautical Science and an Associates Degree in Aviation Safety in 1994. I attended a Local Flight School, Aviation Unlimited and earned my Private Pilots license in 2000.

I moved to Santa Maria a little over 10 years ago, I work for a major aerospace company at, Vandenberg AFB, I have been in the Aviation/Aerospace business for over 27 years. Currently I am the Principle Propulsion Engineer/Scientist on the Delta II Rocket program. I lead a group of highly skilled engineers testing and launching multi-million dollar rockets and their payloads.

What I hope to accomplish on the board:

a. Airport / Industrial park development, We do have a great airport and, I believe we (the board) should start developing plans to attract the right business to the area business that are environmentally friendly and will also provide higher wage employment which, in turn will benefit our community, without damaging our environment.

b. Managed growth + Airport development that, does not adversely effect or disturb the surrounding community. Expand Airport services, Corporate, Civil and Commercial.

  • Corporate + Complete customs center, and initiate operations.
  • Civil + Expand maintenance operations, Attract fly In's, and expand Hanger facilities
  • Commercial + Increase flight options, not aircraft size.

I believe bringing large commercial aircraft to Santa Maria would alienate the surrounding community with unnecessary Noise and Air pollution.

Remember the Airport is there to server our community, to enhance our quality of life, not to detract from that quality of life.

c. Work with the Airlines to develop more flight options for the community.

  • Encourage airlines to offer more destinations,
  • Bring in another airline, competition will bring ticket prices down Which, could make Santa Maria Airport - The central coast Airport of choice.

d. Provide additional Airport Security:
  • Currently the Santa Maria Police Depart does not patrol the airport at night.
  • Provide a communication system for the security guards.

In closing , I believe I have the Education, Experience, and technical know how to be and asset to the to the Santa Maria Airport District board and, I look forward to working with the board to help shape the Santa Maria Airport of the future.

One last thing, I have no plans, to use the office of, Santa Maria Airport District Director as a political stepping stone, My concerns lie solely with our Airport and, how it can best serve our community.

Thank You,

Chuck Damiano

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ca/sba Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 4, 2006 09:19
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