Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter to address the state of the proposed coal gasification plant in Cairo, in Alexander County.

I am sure that you are aware of the gravity of this situation. It has come to my attention that the Cairo Airport is the main sticking point that is holding up the installation of the proposed coal gasification plant.

The coal gasification plant brings with it the potential for hundreds if not thousands of new jobs. I have also reviewed your proposed energy plan (which is excellent) that details the installation of then such plants over the next ten years.

It has also come to my attention that the Federal Aviation Administration is either unable or unwilling to problem-solve and merge the Cairo airport with a neighboring community. I understand that not only has Massac County and Metropolis agreed to help, but also Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Paducah, Ky.

This type of airport merge is possible and I cite the Lawrenceville airport as a model example of a bi-state airport authority. This airport was the first airport in the United States to be shared between two states (Illinois and Indiana). This model can be used as an example when dealing with the Cairo facility.

As an FAA licensed pilot, I am puzzled at why this is such a big issue with the FAA. The Cairo airport is a nicely maintained and managed installation; however, the airport is under-used and experiences very little traffic. This air traffic could land at a neighboring airport. This miscalculation by the FAA is causing an already distressed county and region even more heartache.

It appears a lack of leadership on behalf of elected state and federal officials as well as civil servants employed by the FAA is negatively affecting the lives of thousands of southern Illinoisans. These are real people, good people and your voting constituency. I suggest, with all due respect, that you publicly recognize the people of Cairo and Alexander County as a whole and that you right a wrong.

The community is counting on you and your staff to embrace this issue and make it publicly known that you will accept nothing but the moving of the airport to make way for the proposed coal gasification plant. I speak for myself and with the strength of 2,600 signatures collected by the committed Cairo citizens when I say we will accept nothing but success.

To summarize, I am actively soliciting your support for this project and look forward to hearing and seeing you publicly acknowledge the citizens of southernmost Illinois and your administration laying out a “welcome mat” to incoming industry.

Geoffrey R. King

Carbondale resident

Editor’s note: Among others, this letter was sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Richard Durbin, Sen. Barack Obama and House Speaker Michael Madigan.