Hearings began on the application of Gladstone Partners, LP, of Pittsburgh, before the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board Thursday evening at the courthouse in Pottsville, seeking a special exception to the county zoning ordinance to construct an International Cargo Airport, accessory facilities and a business park.

The cargo airport would be developed on land owned by Butler Enterprises in East Union Township and partly in Kline Township. A crowd of about 75 people attended the hearing, a great number protesting the airport. Some carried signs reading, "We thought the corruption ended at the Luzerne County line."East Union Township supervisors, who are among the objectors, attempted to halt the hearing, claiming the county zoning hearing board did not have jurisdiction to hear and rule on the application because the township has adopted its own zoning ordinance. The board ruled it had jurisdiction to hold the hearing.Attorney Fred Fanelli, counsel for Gladstone, outlined what the company's project was if granted to proceed. It would build an airport to bring in cargo with 10 to 12 planes landing daily and about $4 million has already been invested. Fanelli also told the board Gov. Edward Rendell, PennDOT, and the State Department of Economic Community Development endorsed the project.Once in operation Fanelli stated there would be jobs for 5,000 to 6,000 people and many of the jobs would pay in the range of $50,000 to $60,000. Also, the airport would be constructed on land which was stripped for coal and is now vacant. He also assured the protesters that no flights would be over residential area. Planes would take off and climb steeply because they would not be carrying passengers but cargo. He said the FAA, which regulates air traffic, also has endorsed the project.The airport would be under super safety regulations as every precaution is planned to be implemented. He alleviated fears of some people about jet fuel falling on their homes claiming the traffic would not be over their homes and about storage of jet fuel, it will be stored underground in safety containers. Also there would be no stress over the highways in the area because an access road is planned. Eventually, Fannelli said, one half billion dollars will be invested to make it operate.The first witness on behalf of the airport was Steven Kohler, of Ridge Globe Consulting Company, whose company made studies of the project. He testified in his opinion the project meets all safety regulations, will cause no impact in reducing values of properties and the economic impact will greatly enhance the area.The hearings are to continue with the next hearing set for Nov. 4 and if others are needed for Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.