By gary

February 19, 2011 7:34 PM | Link to this

How the heck does it cost $14 million to prepare a shuttle for delivery? Nonsense!

By jcalvin

February 18, 2011 8:05 PM | Link to this

roger, can you explain the DeWine earmark exemptions from income tax and the people working on the base? I know Husted got retirement pay for military exempted from Ohio income tax while all other retirees pay it…

By roger

February 17, 2011 5:51 AM | Link to this

Looking through the responses so far, too many are focused on emotional issues and no one listed the obvious and historical reason for not providing federal funds for the space shuttle housing at the AF Museum. The museum has an association capable of raising millions of dollars in a very short time. Many of these members are like you and me, reasonably comfortable or struggling. However, there is a surprising number of donors capable of producing $14 million in less than a month in private contributions. In fact, some members receive that much in annual income! That is how the original Museum received its financial start that attracted Federal Dollars to build the buildings to start. Now, Since the big dollar guys got the little guy’s tax breaks, how about them forking up for one of their own favorite projects? P.S. There are sufficient numbers of high income civilian workers on base living on income tax exemptions arranged by an earmark entered by Dewine at the last minute of a bill passing. They are strong proponents of the Museum. Lets start with them.

By Papagino

February 16, 2011 1:35 PM | Link to this

@REALLY DAYTON? You are either delusional or gullible. Admission to the Museum is ABSOLUTELY FREE. Maybe you took your kids to the IMax. There’s a charge for that. As a side note, the 14 million would never find its way to Dayton as funds to improve anything you mention. It’s an issue known in the GVT as color of money. The money that would be allocated to this project would come from a different pot than money set aside for entitlement programs like you mention. In addition, I think it would be a very safe bet to say that a Shuttle at the MoAF would bring visitors and money to Dayton, that means jobs which means fewer people with entitlements.

By AirForceOne

February 16, 2011 1:12 PM | Link to this

For those who are saying we can find other methods of moving the Shuttle, it can’t just be “shipped” via FedEx somewhere and dropped into place. That $14M is needed to prepare it for public viewing. If you don’t know, the shuttle operates using some pretty nasty chemicals (hydrazine, etc.) that have to be completely cleaned. We’d probably pay United Space Alliance (the contractor that manages the shuttle fleet) to remove any toxic, senstive, classified, etc. materials. It would then have to be specially wrapped and shipped - VERY expensive! $14M actually sounds reasonable for the preservation of such a national treasure. And I’d love to see it come to WPAFB!! The AF has as much to do with the development and success of our manned space program as NASA, including launches (anyone heard of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station?) And BTW, admission to the Air Force Museum is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!

By Really Dayton???

February 16, 2011 10:03 AM | Link to this

Well I have been there and my kids have all been there when they were younger. I remember having to pay to get in or something because I did spend money while there and it was not on souvenirs. My kids have also been there with school and it is just not somewhere that I want to go every weekend. Im sure people who dont live here love it and all. Im not bashing it trust me but I just think we could find a better use for 14 mil and find someone cheaper to move the shuttle if we get it.

By Ryan

February 16, 2011 9:52 AM | Link to this

I agree with Obvious. I’ve been on multiple tours through the museum and each tour guide has their own special qualities that keep you entertained. Not to mention it’s a very inexpensive weekend activity to do with family and friends

By Obvious

February 16, 2011 9:45 AM | Link to this

Really Dayton??, Do your children a favor and expose them to the Air Force Museum. Admission is FREE.

By Really Dayton???

February 16, 2011 9:24 AM | Link to this

I have no objections to our city getting the shuttle… what my objection is, is that we need to take care of our city first, then worry about how to attract others. Or maybe make a plan to find someone to move it for cheaper and then use the rest to fix up this poor city. I dont care how others feel but I love Dayton. I hate that no one can drive but I was born here and have lived here a majority of my life. We do need something more to attract others but we also need to take care of this place. We need to get our legal system, welfare system and child support system secure too! I do not want my taxes raised because I do not go to the museum. Nothing against WP but I just dont have the extra money to spend taking my kids. I am sure, with it being the government, we could find a cheaper way to get that shuttle here instead of raping our taxpayers over and over again. screw obama, if this is the best he can do while he is Prez then we are in a lot of trouble and I really hope someone worthy and smart runs next time… have a good day all! Oh and keep our homeless, abused & mistreated children that no one cares about in your prayers too because thats something else we could spend 14 mil on!

By JS

February 16, 2011 9:16 AM | Link to this

Here’s a few words on trains, as off=track of the subject as it is. Yes, it costs money. However, it’s cheaper per passenger-mile by FAR than any highway. Also, they will be neccessary sooner or later, and with oil going up in price, it’s sooner than people think. And the longer you wait, the more expensive it is. The faster you have to do it, the more expensive it is. Like it or not, economic factors will force us to adopt high-speed rail. There is no math that tell you that using a dwindling resource as the source of energy for your transportation will stay cheap. Even switching to CNG doesn’t avoid this. A little regarded factor is how separated we’ve been from the actual costs of our habits. Those times are coming to an end.

By Calvin

February 16, 2011 8:58 AM | Link to this

What a whiney repetitive child the protrain group is, small as it is. IT’s like a little child that doesn’t understand a trip to Disneyland costs money. Some of them seem to think the train schedule would be set to fit their own personal needs or dreams—there would always be a train waiting at the gate for them to decide once a quarter to go somewhere! God bless them, ignorant as they are to finances. No one is going to ride the train to Riverside to visit the Museum even if there shuttle were there. No one is going to get to ride a train back to Columbus at 9 pm—and does it deliver the daughter to the door of her home? Duh. She’ll still have to drive to a station or take, gasp, a bus or taxi.

By Questions

February 16, 2011 8:36 AM | Link to this

How many Obama supporters would fit into the cargo bay of the shuttle? Once packed full, can it be launched from WPAFB? It’s reusable…launches could be done on a weekly basis! It would generate jobs, reduce people on the nanny state teat, and the Obama supporters would be back where they came from…outer space!! It’s a win for eveyone!

By Charlie Seine

February 16, 2011 6:38 AM | Link to this

Sure, bring the orbiter to Dayton. It may help bring more tourists. Obama’s sudden change from his political policies to a more middle of the road leader does not fool me. He still wants legislation like the healthcare bill that will be full of taxes and control of people factors. I believe he is doing this to improve his poll numbers.

By putintain

February 16, 2011 4:16 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know why it would cost 14 million?

By karon

February 16, 2011 1:49 AM | Link to this

Paul, Kasich might change his mind about these trains! Kasich likes the high speed trains idea. So stay tuned!

By Paul

February 16, 2011 1:32 AM | Link to this

One last comment. Hal McCoy can no longer drive because of his eyes. His blog has shown his love for trains. How many more are there like Hal? I don’t know his polatics or if he would have supported the trains.

By Paul;

February 16, 2011 1:24 AM | Link to this

I am sorry about spelling, punctuation, and run on sentences.

By Paul

February 16, 2011 1:17 AM | Link to this

Kasich has reaveled the liberal in me I have agreed with almost none of what he has done so far. The trains were first I looked forward to train service to ohios major cities for sporting events and concerts and the like where attending a party and driving would be a bad idea. My Daughter lives in Columbus and I am sure she would use the train to come down more than she does now as she doesnt like driving the highways after dark. In this economy I thought the trains would be used more than estimated by poeple with limeted transportation for instance older cars you wouldnt trust on a long trip. But then actual commuters with jobs would probable prefer their cars. So I was going to give him a pass on killing the trains I was in favor of, but now we have a shuttle coming to dayton and fewer options for tourist to see it.

By karon

February 15, 2011 11:12 PM | Link to this

Most people will Not be driving from a distance to the museum if gas prices remain over 3.00 dollars. Trains are important for tourism and these trains will bring in the people and the money for the region! Passenger train jobs cannot be outsourced and they are high paying!

By KFodor

February 15, 2011 9:51 PM | Link to this

Karon: God love you…but a shuttle at the Museum will bring 2 million people a year without high speed rail, something frankly, we don’t have the money to support. Bill: I agree the President’s spending is out of control. But 14 million is a drop in the bucket. You can’t put these orbiters in a hangar without maintenance to “safe” the machine, and send it to Dayton. That’s what costs 14 million. We give far more billions to other countries who spit on us…let’s kill that first.

By Bojangels

February 15, 2011 9:32 PM | Link to this

I’ll move that sucker for $7 million!

By Mike R

February 15, 2011 9:20 PM | Link to this

@Bob. Atlantis was “never used” in Houston, Texas. In fact, it has never been in Houston. So, what’s your logic in the Johnson Space Center in getting it?? The Air Force had input in the design, especially the payload capabilities, and has a long history (from the late 60’s and early 70’s) working with NASA on the Shuttle. In addition, at least 30 Air Force officers have flown on the Atlantis. There’s just as much a conection to that specific shuttle to the U.S. Air Force as there is to Johnson Space Center.

By koolaid

February 15, 2011 8:48 PM | Link to this

Mr. Moneybags spends this money but he has the audacity to kill the space program and manned flight for $8 billion and then proposes $60 billion for a high speed rail project….stuck on stupid!!!!!!!!!!

By Tim

February 15, 2011 8:12 PM | Link to this

I’m all for this however I’d like someone to break down the costs involved of acquiring the piece of history.

By Bob

February 15, 2011 8:06 PM | Link to this

I can understand why we want it here in Dayton, what with Air Force museum and all. But it would really make more sense if it went to Johnson or Kennedy since it was actually used at those locations.

By Jack

February 15, 2011 7:34 PM | Link to this

This will be a great asset for Dayton. Nobody is mentioning that the Air & Space Museum in DC already has a shuttle (Enterprise, which was flight test model) that can be offered up to Johnson Space Center. Kennedy can keep the Endeavor after it’s last flight later this year.

By Rudi

February 15, 2011 7:12 PM | Link to this

Bill is an idiot - one of the shuttles belongs at the birthplace of aviation!

By That's your queue to be quiet

February 15, 2011 7:01 PM | Link to this

ahh, Vic. bill’s baiting was to get conservatives to make a foolish statement—not liberals like you.

By Fredo

February 15, 2011 6:46 PM | Link to this

Id Dayton wants it, raise city taxes and Dayton can pay for it. Stop the spending. The revolution nears ….

By Vic

February 15, 2011 6:16 PM | Link to this

Bill’s baiting or not is indicative of the conservative mindset. If Obama were to cure cancer, implement world peace, and discover the origins of the Universe tomorrow the Tea Baggers would find some fault in it.

By Joe

February 15, 2011 6:13 PM | Link to this

Finally, Obama is doing something right!

By karon

February 15, 2011 6:01 PM | Link to this

The Air Force museum attracts over 1 million vistors a year, with the shuttle the figure will go up! That is why having passenger train through the Dayton area is highly important and needed! These trains are high paying and cannot be outsourced!

By dhampton100

February 15, 2011 6:00 PM | Link to this

Bill is baiting you guys…Don’t bite.

By Jon

February 15, 2011 5:53 PM | Link to this

Bill, crawl back into your hole and brew your uninformed and stale tea… This is GREAT news for the Miami Valley and the State as a whole! It shows that the Museum and Wright Patt are well regarded and incredibly important facilities to the Aerospace and avation industries!

By John

February 15, 2011 5:27 PM | Link to this

Bill-Get informed! The Ohio Caucus has been pushing for this for the last year. This includes all Ohio Republicans and Speaker Bahner. This would be a gift to every Daytonian and an opportunity for Dayton to continue to make it’s claim as the World Center for Aerospace Technology. Thank You Obama!

By Tony

February 15, 2011 5:24 PM | Link to this

YES!!!

By Rob

February 15, 2011 5:23 PM | Link to this

Actually, this is something that the region could pull together and raise money for. Once the shuttle is dedicated to WPAFB, the money can be found.

By Matt

February 15, 2011 5:20 PM | Link to this

They have to pay to get rid of the orbiters. They have to go somewhere - so the cost isn’t the issue. The positive impact to the region would be enormous. Why not here?

By bill

February 15, 2011 5:09 PM | Link to this

I really hope Republicans block this! Obama’s spending is out of control.