What, me worry?

Will the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey be the Hudson Valley”™s partner or protagonist? It all depends what side of the table you are sitting on.

From Anthony Shorris”™ point of view ”“ one shared by the majority of listeners at the Orange County Citizens Foundation-Orange County Chamber of Commerce joint luncheon Sept. 12 ”“ his agency is a positive strategic partner that will work with Â both communitiesÂ and business leaders to make “Stewart Airport the jewe1 of the mid-Hudson.”

Speaking to an overflow crowd predominantly comprised of Â Â business leaders and political movers and shakers at Anthony”™s Pier 9 in New Windsor, Shorris assured them, “We are here to be a partner in the mid-Hudson.” While the agency is not subject to local municipal rules and regulations, ShorrisÂ emphasized the Port Authority will not only meet or exceed local code butÂ work with surrounding residential communities Â on quality-of-life issues as it builds up Â the region”™s fourth airport after JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. “Actually, it”™s the fifth airport, if you count Teterboro,” Shorris quipped.

He envisions Stewart becoming a strategic commercial hub, with distribution and warehouse centers in Montgomery and proximity to Interstates 84 and 87 serving to bring economic activity to the area. “Stewart is strategically positioned ”“ a linchpin ”“ its greatest value will be the economic growth it will provide,” said Shorris.

The ability to generate a high volume of freight through Stewart ”“ “for every thousand tons, hundreds of jobs and $6 million of revenue will be generated,” said Shorris ”“ should bring employment to people within the surrounding community who might not otherwise have job opportunities.

“Ninety-four percent of the employees at Teterboro live in the community,” said Shorris.

With growing public concerns about noise, pollution and other quality-of-life issues a busier airport will bring, Shorris says the Port Authority will form the Â Stewart Airport Community Panel, comprised of approximately 30 people. He did not specify how the panel Â would be chosen nor the Â criteria for selection, only that it would be comprised of community leaders, business people, residents and municipal planners. The Stewart Airport Commission led by Chairman James Wright will remain in place.

“The advisory panel will be an integral part of the development of the airport,” Shorris assured listeners. “This is not a one-sided divide. We are willing to come to the table, listen and also to talk about our knowledge. We have 80 years of experience.”

Patty Clark, the Port Authority”™s senior advisor for external affairs, and Ralph Tragale, manager of government and community relations, will select the group. Shorris said the committee will be in place before the Port Authority takes over Stewart Nov. 1.

Shorris stressed both Â N.J. Gov. John Corzine and New York”™s Eliot Spitzer are focused on what Stewart can bring to the mid-Hudson”™s economic table, as well as relief it will give Â overburdened and overbooked Kennedy, Liberty (formerly Newark International), LaGuardia and Teterboro airports.

Shorris called the buyout of National Express Group”™s lease a move of “magnitude ”“ the airport is a great public work, a lasting reflection of communities that build them. Aviation is the ultimate expression of ingenuity and audacity, and we are looking forward to working with you.”

Shorris said a revised Â master plan for Stewart is in the works. “It”™s a complicated airport: in the middle of several communities and with land challenges.” Shorris emphasized sustainable and environmentally friendly deicing materials, quieter planes (already in use at Kennedy) and eco-friendly buses will be used at the airport.Â Shorris said the Port Authority”™s goal is to make all airports environmentally sensitive, even if costs are well above what would normally be required to meet minimum standards.

“Granted, airport growth can cause pains, noise among them, but we have spent millions and will continue to invest in ways to significantly lessen the impact, both on noise, pollution and traffic,” Shorris said.

He also introduced new General Manager Diannae Ehler, who will replace Charles Seliga. Ehler was formerly the director of the Port Authority”™s Manhattan bus terminal and tunnel system. Shorris said an experienced group of Port Authority employees would be taking over operations.

Security was on everyone”™s minds, particularly since the luncheon took place one day after Sept. 11. “We feel very confident about security. It is our number-one concern,” said Shorris. “We have already started working on perimeter fencing and are already enhancing security features. Right now, we are not contemplating bringing in our own police force and have a good working relationship with the New York State police, who are located on the airport grounds.”

Daryl White of Orange & Rockland Utilities asked Shorris if local suppliers would be utilized. “They are very important to us,” Shorris said. “It is one of the economic plusses we bring to the county. Airports also create job opportunities for those who are often left behind. We especially will welcome women and minority-owned businesses. I think you will see that we are willing and wanting to help build the local economy.”

Port Authority aviation director William DeCota met with the media following the luncheon, saying that the Port Authority was not particularly in favor of the redesigned flight plan the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unveiled, but he understood the goal was to alleviate congestion over the metropolitan area. “It was a rare opportunity to sit down and draw up different flight paths, but it was their call, not ours,” he said.

Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoff said the county will sue the FAA for diverting several flights over Rockland air space. DeCota declined comment, saying that was an issue between Rockland and the FAA.Â There are 11 million people living within the Stewart catchments area, and the Port Authority predicts Stewart”™s services ”“ particularly for business travel ”“ will reach 1 million within the next year.