Activist Silver to Join Airport Advisors

Longtime community activist Gerald A. Silver has been appointed to the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council, City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski announced Monday.

A leading anti-noise advocate, Silver has fought for curfews on helicopters operating out of Van Nuys Airport as well as lobbied for changes in flight patterns at both Van Nuys and Burbank airports in an effort to reduce noise and pollution.

Miscikowski appointed Silver to the panel because of his “extensive involvement in aircraft noise issues,” she said.

“Jerry Silver is a knowledgeable, dedicated community activist who will bring an important perspective to the advisory council,” Miscikowski said. “He is an effective spokesman for whatever point of view he is expressing.”

“I think [Miscikowski] recognizes that there is a big problem noise-wise that needs to be addressed,” Silver said Monday.

For years, Silver has stood before the panel making his case for noise reduction at the 69-year-old airport located in the center of the Valley. Now, he said, he is looking forward to being on the other side and hearing residents’ concerns.

“I hope to reduce the adversarial nature between the panel and the public, which at times has been volatile,” Silver said. “The meetings should be an open forum for all views to be expressed.”

The retired professor also said he hopes to tackle controversial airport issues in an intellectual, rather than emotional, manner.

Silver is expected to take his seat on the 18-member panel during its Sept. 2 meeting at the Airtel Plaza hotel.

The Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council was formed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners to review issues affecting the operation and development of the airport.