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Commander delays gate decisions due to feedback from town hall meetings

  • Published
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Due to feedback from concerned housing residents, the installation commander has delayed a decision about potential gate changes in Patriot’s Landing.

Col. Leslie Maher, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, desires another four-to-six months to allow her time to further study and resolve issues brought to her attention by residents from two town hall meetings and from numerous online feedback platforms.

The proposed changes involved the opening of Patriot’s Landing Gate, opening of the elementary school gate, and closure of the Ward Street Gate.  The base’s posture was that the changes would enhance the overall base security and provide better service to the Scott Air Force Base community.

During the town hall, the base community voiced several concerns including increased traffic congestion and commutes, diminished security to Patriot’s Landing housing residents, and greater safety risks to pedestrians traveling to and from their homes, the Youth Center, the school, and other base amenities.

Many town hall attendees had questions about their leases with Hunt Housing.  The base legal office recommends housing residents make an appointment for legal assistance to discuss their specific questions and needs.

“The town halls were absolutely valuable to provide us this feedback, so I’m thankful for all who took the time to come to them and speak with me directly about their concerns,” said Maher. “Now I’ll be working with my teams to address the various concerns and come up with solutions and work arounds as best we can.  We are committed to transparency, yet we will not, however, jeopardize our missions and the people who carry out these missions by sharing information inappropriate in public forums. I need your trust.  Your voices have been heard, and we’re taking another look at all our options.”

The 375th Mission Support Group, its 375th Civil Engineer Squadron and its 375th Security Forces Squadron, along with the base legal office have recorded concerns and will review potential courses of action with school officials, local law enforcement, and Hunt Housing before making any decisions.  Residents will be kept informed throughout the process with the options for additional town halls to discuss the various options in the way forward.