From Air Force housing to Box Elder homes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Hurley
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen and spouses had many questions concerning the transition from military to privatized housing answered, Nov. 4.

Colonel Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander, addressed concerned audience members from Centennial Housing at the town meeting, and gave them a sense of peace about the upcoming changes scheduled for Feb. 2011.

Brya Amirault, spouse of Airman 1st Class Ben Amirault, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron structures specialist attended the meeting and said she found Col. Taliaferro's answers to queries to be helpful.

"Col. Taliaferro was very down-to-earth and answered everyone's questions to the best of his ability," Mrs. Amirault said. "He didn't give long, drawn-out or confusing answers. He kept his answers direct and to-the-point."

Most of the concerns focused on financial uncertainties, although a few spouses were also concerned with civilians moving into the neighborhood.

"One spouse in the audience expressed her fear of civilian neighbors being a little more on the wild side than military neighbors," Mrs. Amirault said. "I'm looking forward to civilians moving in next door, however. I think it will be great to have a new breeze of people with a different attitude."

As far as the money is concerned, Mrs. Amirault said while no concrete numbers were available, she and other attendees were assured they would save an average of 15 percent of their salary if they opted to stay in Centennial.

Those who choose to look elsewhere will not be forgotten. They will be able to move free of charge by making arrangements with the Housing office.

"I think a lot of people are concerned that the military isn't going to take care of them as well as they did before," Mrs. Amirault said. "This is not the case. My husband and I are choosing to stay where we are and I think it will be just fine. We don't have an issue with the changes at all."

One of the changes mentioned at the town meeting was that busing to and from school will not be provided by Box Elder. The government will no longer be able to provide this service once the homes are not base property. However, Hunt Corp. indicated that based on residents' comments at the town hall meeting, this would be an issue they intend to take a hard look at.

"These houses aren't going to blow away and turn to dust," Col. Taliaferro said. "They'll be the same houses at a cheaper cost to our Airmen."