Wheeling trustees back Porsche show despite fire chief's concerns

Despite some worries about a Porsche car and jet show at the Chicago Executive Airport, Wheeling trustees said they're confident the event is safe so it will continue as planned.

At a village board meeting this week, Village Manager Mark Rooney forwarded Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac's concerns about the Sept. 10 event. MacIsaac was not at the meeting.

"The fire chief has some concerns because the drivers are so close to the runway," Rooney said. "He's concerned about an out-of-control driver being near an active runway."

According to Dennis Rouleau, the airport's manager, "The Porsche Jet Preview" show will feature high-end jets and Porsche cars. Invited guests will check out jets on display and professional drivers will show off Porsche cars.

The Porsche show targets prospective car and jet buyers and travels around the country, making stops in California, Texas, Arizona, Washington and Florida. It is not open to the general public.

The airport has hosted the show for the past five years and typically a few hundred people attend, Rouleau said. It's not open to the public.

The jets cost between $300,000 and $50 million each, Rouleau said.

"It's not a zero to 60 (mph) type of thing, there is no racing involved," he said about MacIsaac's concerns. "We're talking about professional drivers following a course."

Trustees said despite the fire chief's concerns, they agreed with Rouleau.

"They've been having this for a few years and it seems like they know what they're doing," said Trustee Robert Heer.

Trustee Ken Brady said the airport is the perfect place for such an event.

"I'd rather them do it there where the worst that will happen is a driver will slide on to some grass," Brady said "It's better doing it on a village street."