Stunted by Luke base, El Mirage seeks cash

Landlocked El Mirage, worried about its economic future because of development restrictions tied to neighboring Luke Air Force Base , wants the federal government to give it hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.

[Gary]

I would suggest that the Air Force close Luke AFB and the developers who are complaining that Luke is stunting the growth of El Mirage pay for the cleanup of the base, especially the flight line. Then they will be able to build, if they have any money left or a new developer can come in and take advantage of the area while the original developers file bankruptcy.

[DaveinPhoenix]

I lived (thankfully past tense) in El Mirage for three years 2002-2005. This crime ridden, drug infested excuse for a town failed to plan after the town was first incorporated. They built thousands of new houses which basically filled the town...and failed completely to attract any type of business or services to help support the thousands of new residents. I'm a civilian, but my thought would be to burn/bulldoze the town and extend the active Luke runways and boundaries.

God Bless my 30 year old niece who is serving with the Air Force and presently stationed in Qatar. I have tons more respect for her than all the crooked politicians in El Mirage put together.

[beth]

i honestly don't understand why people are complaining about the afb when it's been there for years. you start building, then get mad when an obstacle is in your way, that has been there since you started. it doesn't make sense. the people who complain about the noise...you knew the base was there when you chose to live there. are you serious? that's like the guy that moved next to the airport then got pissed when the planes kept waking him up. give me a break.