VANDALIA For a community that is built on aviation, the threat of Air Force budget cuts has the Miami Valley on edge, from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn to across town in Vandalia.
I would think any cuts to the show itself might reduce the turnout said Jay Jebsen, Vandalia Resident.
Jay Jebsen is talking about possible reductions to the Dayton Airshow. Some proposals on the chopping block include eliminating jet flying groups like the popular, Blue Angels.
One local restaurant who has seen its fair share of air shows is Christy s Pizza, which has been around since the 1960s. The business owner is staying hopeful the Dayton Airshow won t be affected.
The airshow, it affects a lot of businesses in the Vandalia area said Steve Dent, Christy s Pizza owner.
Like many nearby business owners, Steve Dent s business sees a jump in sales airshow weekend. But he s staying optimistic that any possible cuts to airshows are kept to a minimum.
The airshow will go on and if the government needs to drop out, the private entities will pick it up and it ll still be a great airshow Dent.
While under a cloud of uncertainty, airshow organizers are also staying hopeful.
If something were to happen, and we lost a jet team for example, it would be very difficult but we have a strong show and our expectation again is they re going to show Michael Emoff, Dayton Airshow Chair.
Everyone seems to be in a proverbial holding pattern, waiting until a final decision on the Air Force budget is made.
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