Local issues take center stage at coffee event

A proposal to base F-35 Joint Strike Fighters at Gowen Field versus Mountain Home Air Force Base was one of the first questions addressed during last week's Coffee With the Mayor event.

The basing of jets at Gowen Field versus Mountain Home Air Force Base and issues directly affecting the city highlighted a number of topics aired during a town hall meeting June 15.

A light crowd of 17 people attended the second of the scheduled Coffee With the Mayor events, which was about a third the turnout compared to the program's debut in March.

The first questions from the audience were directed at Col. Jefferson O'Donnell, 366th Fighter Wing commander at the local Air Force base, and concerned the controversy dealing with proposed plans to base the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Gowen Field.

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