Steve Osborne and his wife, Kathy Bikle, worked tirelessly in the past two years to restore their 80-acre hog farm.
They moved to Westminster from Baltimore County and transformed the Indian Valley Trail property so much that even strangers are compelled to stop and tell them how beautiful it is.
They designed a new house with a bedroom and laundry room downstairs so they could live there well into old age.
Bikle envisioned future grandchildren playing with the goats and swimming in the pool.
Those dreams were dashed with the arrival of a letter in January, when the couple learned Carroll County was considering a proposal to extend the regional airport?s runway ? right through their home.
“It was devastating,” Bikle said. “The hardest part is that I am 46 years old, and I thought I was settled.”
Osborne and Bikle were among more than 50 people who attended a question-and-answer session with Commissioner Dean Minnich on Wednesday to learn more about a plan to increase Carroll County Regional Airport?s runway from 5,100 feet to 6,400 feet and construct additional hangar space for corporate aircraft.
“I will not give an opinion, until I see a plan on the table and I know what the changes and impact will be,” Minnich said.
Osborne said his feelings are mixed about the expansion.
As a resident, he doesn?t want to lose his farm.
As a helicopter pilot who uses the airport, he can see the benefits of a larger facility.
And as a businessman in charge of 2,600 pigs, he understands a bigger airport?s potential to bring more businesses and money.
“I don?t want to get in the way of progress,” he said.
Early next year, an outside firm will start a two-year environmental study to evaluate noise levels, air quality and socioeconomic ramifications, said Joseph Varrone, the county?s airport administrator.
In the meantime, Bikle said she and her husband are continuing improvements to their homestead.
“It?s the not knowing that is hard,” Bikle said.
The Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association, started in April by residents who live near the airport, organized the event.
If you go
What: Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association meeting
When: 6:30 p.m. July 5
Where: Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library
