OK kids, Oscoda was the site chosen from many others to be a horizontal space launch site (They are still searching Michigan for a vertical space launch site). It beat out K.I. Sawyer AFB near Marquette and a couple others. So, now that Oscoda has been chosen, what happens next and what can Oscoda Township residents can expect.
The next step? Planners will continue studying the feasibility and submit a detailed report to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. this spring. We'll see what happens there but as Johnny helps call on his experiences in Jersey City about building and new development and building the 'next big thing' and how that all impacts residents and taxpayers, here's what you haven't been told to expect.
Developers and government spokespeople on EVERY deal like this in Anytown USA
This project/thing/deal/colossus will create thousands upon thousands of jobs. ORLY? Here's an idea, quantify that number. Don't throw wild bullshit numbers around and expect people to believe it. Now, we do not have a number of jobs potentially at Spaceport yet but here's what that will sound like, "It'll create thousands of jobs, period." Johnny spent copious time in city council meetings in Jersey City, he went to a handful of planning commission (A Jersey City oxymoron) and had the displeasure of watching 4 40 story buildings go up within two blocks of his condo. Some of these workers might only be there a week or two but they're in the 5000 number being presented. Trust Johnny when he says he knows how this sausage will be made. The job numbers are always the first lie. If they say 5000 jobs oh how they want you to believe there are full-time jobs rife with insurance munny. They're not. They'll include every job they expect to hire, even the one-off jobs and part-time jobs. Why should you care about this? You're going to be paying for it. More on that, hey look, right below.
When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way
Once this thing gets approval nobody is going to stand up for Oscoda residents. When the mayor and city council in Jersey City passed an abatement, which was always, residents be damned and stop asking us about it. Look, the Township trustees are so far on board. Iosco is so on board. Once this starts it will never be slowed down. The powers that be will go over and through residents to make this a reality. They will pass along giant, and Johnny means giant tax abatements for this entire thing. If you think the Spaceport is going to simply re-use the 1970's technology over at Wurtsmith, ie the the buildings and towers and everything physical, Johnny has some land he wants to sell you. New buildings, many new buildings will be built. Do you honestly think the people building the Spaceport are planning on building all their shit on their dime? Nope, they'll head right to the Oscoda Township board and demand tax breaks to be sloughed off on residents. Big tax breaks. Big tax breaks you'll never see benefit one from. Prices don't go down once the new people come in, prices on groceries go up. Taxes go up. People have to move creating housing voids and even less taxes being taken in. It's a downward spiral. This will cost residents more, a LOT more. Oscoda is simply not in the same wealth class as Jersey City (for all its faults, there's a lot of big money there, just not so in Oscoda) and will be less adaptable for cost of living increases.
Sure, let's have the Air Force come back and shit on Oscoda some more
Anything going up in the sky or out into space means the involvement of the United States Air Force. Yep, the same shitheels who poisoned Oscoda with PFAS, left and then spent 20 years giving Oscoda the middle finger over cleanup. If this thing flies, they'll smugly be back. Johnny suggested to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel last night on Twitter we somehow ban the Air Force involvement until they get off their dead-asses and cleanup what they created. Why give them a second chance to destroy Oscoda? If you enjoy irony you'll love this; These new players in town, the ones with the full time jobs are NOT going to live in The Villages of Oscoda housing. Some part-time jobs may rent there but nobody's coming in to work on Spaceport and buying in the Villages. Know how Johnny knows? He's seen it before. The new people will want grand new updated housing to make everything seem grander and a developer will, in all likelihood, be granted yet more tax abatements (Remember Oscoda, you pay for this Spaceport on EVERY level) to build apartments or condos. OF COURSE there's more than enough housing already for everyone who could be involved in this endeavor, but when developers sense tax breaks are being given out, well, you just watch. The irony? Some workers from the Air Force will avoid living near Van Etten Lake, despite the available properties going cheap, because the Air Force poisoned Van Etten Lake.
Billy, have you ever heard a rocket engine firing up?
Those of us who live close enough to Wurtsmith know the huge sound put out when they test the jet engines. Now, imagine what you'll hear with the testing of rocket engines (Seeing as how this is a Spaceport and it's about launching things we'll just assume rockets WILL be tested on-site.) Do you work odd hours? Do you have kids who need naps? Quietly hunting or hiking in the woods? Hard cheese because SPACEPORT!
Now is the time, the only time
If none of this sounds like a good idea, or maybe if some of it sounds like a good idea, NOW is the time and really only time to contact elected officials. You can probably skip the Oscoda Township officers, they're already down with this, more than likely without asking any of the questions this article asks. Send them a note or make mention at township meetings but Johnny thinks local and county boards at this point are a done deal because they all saw a shiny new thing. Crows do that too. The place you'll have to lobby is the State of Michigan. Whitmer, Nessel and anyone else you think might be of assistance. If it's not dealt with now, it never will be.
Johnny knows, he's seen this kind of thing before. It's not about the residents, it never is.
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