By Stephen Witt
By every measure, the 58th Annual Pacoima Christmas Parade was a great success. Local residents lined the sidewalks along Van Nuys Blvd, two and three people deep. Many others participated.
Four or five elected officials waved from open-air cars, most of whom had roots in the community. Young students from local elementary, middle, and high schools danced in synch or were part of marching bands.
Local non-profits, the LiUNA Labor Union, and small and large businesses had floats or hired mariachi bands to perform on flatbed trucks. Mission Valley College participated. My favorite was the Charros, the traditional Mexican horsemen and horsewomen riding dancing steeds. Many participants handed out candy and flyers promoting their goods and services to viewers.
Just about every entity in Pacoima, and its roughly 71,000 people, either participated in the parade or watched it. That is, with one exception – the controversial Whiteman Airport.
Whiteman is about two blocks from Van Nuys Blvd, off the parade route. Many in the community want to see the airport closed and redeveloped for mixed-use, including high-tech, entertainment, education hubs, and middle-income affordable housing.
Proponents of the airport say the 185-acre site needs to stay open for emergency air vehicles, some of which fought last January’s wildfires. They also argue that they offer free flight and aeronautics-related training to the local community.
Whiteman, without a float or even a presence at the parade, was a missed opportunity. With a bit of foresight, it could have put a small airplane or helicopter on the back of a flatbed truck and handed out fliers highlighting its importance to the community and the many opportunities for young people in Pacoima in aeronautics, flight instruction, and emergency management.
A small plane could have flown over the parade route with a banner proclaiming, Whiteman Airport wishes Pacoima a Merry Christmas.
At best, Whiteman Airport’s absence from the parade was marketing stupidity. At worst, it played into those who think there is a streak of racism and anglo-white colonialism from the airport and its advocates.
But perhaps their absence was not as nefarious as either ignorance or racism. Maybe the collective spirit of Whiteman Airport was that of Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Perhaps, it was Whiteman Airport’s way of saying, “Bah, humbug” to Pacoima’s Christmas spirit of joy to the world and goodwill towards all men!
Either way, the Airport’s lack of presence was a loss for them. By every measure, the 58th Annual Pacoima Christmas Parade was a great success.
Comments 1
Congratulations, you have suggested some great promotional ideas. These should be presented to the airport owner so that a budget can be allocated for these innovative ideas.
When you mention that some feel there is “streak of racism and anglo-white colonialism from the airport and its advocates.” you certainly can’t be alleging that the focus of that criticism are those voluntary members of the Civil Air Patrol who fly to save people’s lives no matter what race or creed they may be, Certainly, you are not referring to the EAA pilots that volunteer to fly the neighborhood youth for free. After all, a couple of years ago they celebrated flying their`10,000th flight for the neighborhood kids subject to no restrictions other than a desire to discover flight for free. They continue to fly record numbers of neighborhood kids today financed at the pilot’s own expense. Certainly, you are not referring to the FAA Safety Team representatives that offer regular, often weekly, free pilot safety seminars at their own expense. Certainly, you aren’t referring to neighborhood schools like Glendale Community College that offer economical flight training to those who have only to apply. No, you clearly refer to the “airport” as the subject of criticism.
So, when referring to the “airport,” who has the power of the purse that would allow your ideas to be realized? That would be the airport’s owner, LA County. Was the L A County Board of Supervisors invited to participate? After all, the buck would seemingly stop there. Please notice your readers when you plan to address the BOS with your suggestions so that support can be rallied. Thanks!
Perhaps