Fort battalion’s move to Texas to take $120M yearly toll
Thu, 01/21/2010 - 1:27am
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Herald/Review
FORT HUACHUCA — The movement of a nearly 500-strong battalion off Fort Huachuca next year could mean more than a $120 million annual hit to the local community, an economic researcher said.
Army headquarters announced this week that the 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion will move to Fort Bliss, Texas, in July 2011.
The departure of 487 military and one civilian position is part of the continuing force structure transformation, the Army stated.
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That’s a big money hit on the local community. Sure would be nice if other
outfits could replace them.
In my opinion, this is the start of a trend. Many of us that work (or worked)
on the post are tired of the lack of interest in quality schools for the kids
in SV. Sure, many of the jobs on the post pay extremely well, but jobs are
accepted at the expense of the kids. The pay can almost be considered a
“bribe” to get skilled people to come to work in the area. Retirees and those
that don’t have kids will remain, for a while. Over time, even those without
kids will experience the problems of the decline of SV. The weather and
vistas are beautiful in AZ and SV, but it is not worth the sacrifice.
With almost 500 families leaving, has anyone done any research or asked if
the fort still plans to build a new high/middle school. Here are my views.
People in SV want the sports, let Buena be the sports. Build that high/middle
school for the children who want to excel in education. With the funding you
won’t have it both ways. This way the parents of the children who want their
child to succeed will be able to put them where it will be the child first.
Also with the anoucemnet of the almost 500 families leaving how many were in
SVPS system? They leave means less funding coming in. I wonder if the board
will have to revise the budget again? I’m not trying to be spiteful. These
are just questions that came to my mind. I can see how this move will really
affect just about all in SV. Maybe the herald can find out information on
this?
Haiti just got destroyed and the people are left with nothing but they will
continue on. The 11th Signal Brigade will move from Ft. Huachuca to Ft. Bliss
leaving a dent of $123 million in our local economy but we will continue on.
Ask our glorious representative why this is happening, surely she knew well
in advance, right?
I have no idea WHY you replied to my post. You had no information to state
regarding it. You also knew about the 86th. If you look under “Breaking news
Signal Battalion headed to Fort Bliss” the herald wrote that it was rumorered
last year, but the herald was told there were NO firm plans. Now I imagine
this was posted in the paper. I did not post to you..I asked a few questions.
You also can not compare a natural disater like Haiti to the 86th moving.
Hello, there are people who got killed, and injured. Whole familes got wiped
out. Those people lost everything. And after the earthquake to have a 6.1
aftershock. You are looking at apples and oranges.
Sorry, Marcie, if you take my reply as being to your post - it wasn’t!
Over the past two years I have read excoriating commentary concerning the
desire of many in this area to “keep the Government out of our lives.” Loudly
and quite often I have read and heard the wishes of those who want the
Federal Govt to keep it’s hands out of health care, education and local
concerns. Congratulations, my friends. Your cries are obviously being heard
and the heinous hand of the Federal Gov is beginning to withdraw it’s forces
of occupation. Soon, we will be able to go back to life as it was prior to
the military presence. How was that, by the way? I am certain that there was
thriving industry and productivity here before Huachuca. And there must have
been a rich cultural life. And even if there were not then, we have had over
100 years to bolster our own independence beyond relying on that wretched
fort…right? We have rich industrial output here, right…right? We have
enriched our cultural interests, right? RIGHT? Congratulations,
isolationists!
Socialism for me but not for thee
This community is one of the few places that a military affiliated family has
to move to that has very little regard for family or anyone under 60. I don’t
believe this town would have much of an existence without the “imperial”
presence of the fort. We would love to retire and stay here. However, the
natural beauty of this location can hardly out weigh the idea of sending the
youngest to Buena and the lack of concern for the youth. There probably
wasn’t much of a fight put up about moving this unit to a better location
overall.
The Arizona Daily Star reports today that in addition to the nearly 500
military jobs leaving Fort Huachuca for Fort Bliss, another 700 troops could
also depart over the next few years to posts around the country.