Housing privatization, bussing, main topics of town hall

  • Published
  • By Airman Ashley J. Cass
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander, hosted a town hall meeting at the base theater Aug. 2, to discuss a variety of issues ranging from base housing privatization and bussing to traffic flow.

Weatherington, who was joined by other base and community leaders, opened the meeting by addressing the delay in base housing privatization.

"Ownership of base housing did not transfer to Balfour Beatty on Aug. 1," Weatherington said. "BAH (basic allowance for housing) will not change, and the leases you signed will remain inactive."

The projected date for base housing privatization is now January 2013.

Weatherington also explained why transportation to and from school will no longer be provided for children and teenagers living on base - a change that impacts a great deal of Ellsworth families.

"In the last decade, the Air Force only paid for bussing at three locations, and Ellsworth was one of them," Weatherington said. "I know a lot of you want the Air Force to pay for bus service, but I can't do that. The money was not authorized in the budget. It's against the law for me to use appropriated funds to provide bus service."

Weatherington, and his wife, Stephanie, have three school-aged children at three different Douglas schools and know firsthand how this affects Airmen and their families.

"I know it's a significant change," Weatherington acknowledged. "I feel your pain."

Questions were raised by several parents in attendance about the safety of their children - many of whom will now have to walk to school this year.

"We realize the concerns that go along with the expected increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic," Weatherington said. "I've already opened the Bismarck Gate to inbound POV (privately owned vehicle) traffic, and we have plans to put a pedestrian crossing at the Patriot Gate. My first priority is keeping our children safe."

Dr. Loren Scheer, Douglas School District superintendent, added that the school district plans to put crossing guards at key locations between Ellsworth and the local schools.

"Traffic will be heavy in the morning," Scheer said. "However, with some children staying late for sports practices or other activities, traffic in the afternoon should be considerably lighter."

The base and the school district promised to continue to work together to solve outstanding challenges. Weatherington concluded the evening with a promise to disseminate any information about these and other changes as quickly as possible.

For more information about housing, Airmen can call the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Office at (605) 385-2568 or visit www.ellsworthfamilyhousing.com.