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Town hall meeting addresses concerns

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Base officials held this year's first town hall meeting Jan. 29 at the Community Activities Center to pass along information and address community concerns.

Col. Joseph Guastella, 20th Fighter Wing commander, led the meeting with opening remarks.

"A big part of combat readiness is taking care of Airmen and their families," he said. "If an Airman has family concerns, then he or she can't completely focus on the mission. Our leadership is 100 percent behind making Shaw better for our Airmen and their families."

Several leaders spoke to the audience about different subjects important to the Shaw community. However, the main concern of those in attendance is the new construction, security and opening of Frierson Road to the public so they can access Shaw's two public schools.

"One of the reasons we decided to live in base housing was for security," said Kim Wright, wife of Tech. Sgt. Thomas Wright, 20th FW. "I'm concerned about letting my kids out to play and people speeding through the neighborhood."

"We did not take this decision lightly," said Col. Ted Uchida, 20th Mission Support Group commander. "The old shopette (near the Sycamore gate) will be converted to a security forces sub-station. They will be looking out for your safety and security."

Maj. Timothy Simmons, 20th Security Forces Squadron commander, said his squadron will still patrol the housing area as much as possible, but they can't be everywhere. He encouraged housing residents to form a neighborhood watch program and report suspicious activity to the Law Enforcement Desk at 895-3669.

Another concern of residents is how, or if, civilians driving through housing or who violate the law would be cited.

They will still be stopped, ticketed and summoned to report to a magistrate, said Maj. Simmons. They will not have a free pass while they are on base.

Throughout the meeting, questions were written on note cards and answered by subject matter experts.

Col. Uchida was asked, "Why live on base?" He responded with his own questions.

"Where else can you live and know where everyone works? Where else can you live and not have to worry (about utility bills)? I Challenge you to find a landlord who looks out for your interests just because it's the right thing to do," he said. "There are great advantages and benefits to living on base."

Even though some of her concerns were answered, Mrs. Wright was a little upset at some of her neighbors for not showing up.

"I think this was very productive and gave us a lot of resources," she said, "but I expected a lot more people to be here. I handed out the (town hall meeting) agenda to neighbors who had no idea Frierson Road was going to open to the public. They were upset and angry about it, but they didn't show. We all need to work together ... I like the idea of a neighborhood watch program."

The meeting ended with Col. Guastella addressing the audience one more time.

"This has been pretty enlightening for me," said the colonel. "I want every one of you to be happy in your home. We're going to work together to make this happen."