Northpinellas: Geiger will meet with neighbors about heliport

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Geiger will meet with neighbors about heliport

The ex-NBA player is trying to ease concerns about letting helicopters land at his estate.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published July 10, 2007

EAST LAKE - News of Matt Geiger's plan to build a heliport at his mansion - it's on the market for $20-million - has kicked up a cloud of anxiety among his neighbors.

Concerned they might torpedo his proposal, the former NBA player hurriedly got the county to reschedule a hearing set for Thursday.

Now Geiger's strategy is to have a neighborhood meeting to explain himself.

It's scheduled for 7 p.m. July 23 at the Allegro Senior Lifestyle facility at 1755 East Lake Road.

That is good news to David Elliott, who raises smooth gaited Paso Fino horses on a ranch across the street from Geiger's estate. Regal and proud, Paso Finos apparently hate whirlybirds. And the last thing Elliott wants is a stampede.

"(A helicopter) will freak them out," he said.

But Geiger said his 36-acre property is so large, "the (flight) path for the helicopter will pose no danger to anyone." Choppers instead will fly over Brooker Creek Preserve, he said.

"We've designed it to lower the risk to homeowners," Geiger said. And, apparently, horses.

Geiger, and perhaps his neighbors, now are scheduled to go to the county on Aug. 9.

[Last modified July 9, 2007, 22:20:29]

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by Bill	07/10/07 05:38 PM
Now stop all the other "Choppers" from flying over there. Give me a break-"Live free or Die"

by Doug	07/10/07 05:05 PM
Complain all you want now but wait until you need the sheriff's helicopter to find a lost loved one or the criminal lurking in your neighborhood's. I'll laugh when the sheriff tells you sorry you live in a no fly zone.

by Sue	07/10/07 05:01 PM
Why is everyone so jealous? Envy is a terrible color and everyone that has commented has shared their jealous thoughts in their comments. Those who call it a monstrosity are upset because they have never seen it. Get over it.

by Mary	07/10/07 01:17 PM
It doesn't matter where the flight path is, there are horses riding through the preserve - even more dangerous than those in the pasture...hmmmm, I don't think he needs this, especially if he's moving.

by Tommi	07/10/07 12:17 PM
I have long been a proponent of the right of individuals to do what they want with their owned property,however, are native wild species less likely to be alarmed by the sound of close passes by loud aircraft.Brooker Creek should remain QUIET! SHHHH

by MIKE	07/10/07 12:04 PM
Stop your crying you whiners! We live in a free country - If you are poor it IS YOUR OWN FAULT!

by Bob	07/10/07 11:49 AM
whose this guy think that he's special and should be allowed to do whatever he wants and threaten the entire area with this foolhardy idea.....I say the County should immediately DENY IT!

by Jim	07/10/07 10:12 AM
Matt, just act normal. Everybody knows you have money, stop showing off like a 15 year old.

by David	07/10/07 08:52 AM
Bill, I agree that there is a financial disaster story behind the sale of the big house. Thanks for your insight into the matter. The more I think of the heliport I am inclined to believe it is an extra to make the place easier to sell.

by Frank	07/10/07 08:31 AM
Pro athletes are grossly overpaid. Some keep their lives to themselves; others flaunt it in public. By the way I am a trailer park resident who lives in a single wide and loves it. I can also spell correctly and use proper grammar.

by Bill	07/10/07 08:26 AM
David, tokenism works both ways sometimes. The name Geiger might also mean something to you if you bought into Nature's Watch. Wonder if there's a good financial disaster story beneath the listing of the monstrosity?

by David	07/10/07 07:58 AM
This whole situation just screams "pro athletes are grossly overpaid!" Geiger was little more than a journeyman player during his career, and, yet, he is able to afford a lifestyle most of us can only dream about. Sports fans are idiots!!

by David	07/10/07 07:22 AM
We "trailer park double-wide" poor folks can at least can spell correctly for the most part. We don't mind what the rich do or own. We do mind when it is thrown in our faces all the time. The true rich keep their affairs private.

by david	07/10/07 06:56 AM
Rich do what rich wants to do. Poor hate not what rich do-but fact they are not rich like the rich-even when they are from the same ethic background- envy? Or trailer-park doulbe wide mindset?

by David	07/10/07 06:42 AM
Why does Matt Geiger need a heliport? I am sick of hearing about him and his in-your-face lifestyle. This man is a publicity seeking show-off. Brooker Creek Preserve is just that--a PRESERVE and not the flight path for helicopters.

by Bill	07/10/07 06:05 AM
Oh, sure, that's nice, just freak out all the living things in the Brooker "Preserve" instead of immediate neighbors. I think the county should REJECT this addition to the MONSTROSITY they allowed to be created.