(January 15, 2003) -- LBReport.com has learned that the LB Area Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee will meet tomorrow morning (Jan. 16, 2003) to discuss possible policy initiatives for 2003-04 that (as currently drafted) include:

"Support the Airport Area Business Council and its efforts to maximize potential for job creation and growth at the Long Beach Airport. Monitor state and federal airline industry legislation."

The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, which meets monthly, is due to consider the item among a long list of draft policy positions. Once refined, the positions will be forwarded to the Chamber's Board of Directors...which could adopt them as official Chamber policy on January 26.

LB Area Chamber members are not routinely allowed to vote on government policy positions adopted by the Chamber's leaders. The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee meetings are open to Chamber members...but they are not government meetings open to the general public.

However, the Chamber's major activities are not a secret. Among other things, the organization maintains an elegant web site (www.longbeachchamber.org).

The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee is chaired by Travis A. Montgomery, Vice President and Chief of Staff at the Queen Mary. Mr. Montgomery is the Chamber's Vice Chairman in charge of Public Policy.

The Airport Area Business Council is described on the Chamber's web site as follows: "Seeks to maximize and demonstrate the full economic potential of the Long Beach Airport as a major employment base within the greater Long Beach area." The Airport Area Business Council is chaired by Curt Castagna of Aeroplex Aviation.

Reached for comment on the draft policy item by LBReport.com, Mr. Castagna indicated some surprise at the draft proposal's current verbiage and said it was not the policy of the Airport Area Business Council to seek airport expansion.

Mr. Castagna has previously testified at City Council meetings in support of maintaining LB's Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance which includes a noise budgeted flight level that has equated to 41 large (over 75,000 pounds) + 25 commuter (under 75,000) flights per day.

LB's Council adopted 2010 "Strategic Plan" includes in pertinent part: "Expand Long Beach Airport business opportunities, but only within existing noise ordinances."