They filed notices slowly at first, but now faster. One by one public comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation over the impending loss of Portland flights at the North Bend airport have begun to fill pages on the agency’s web site.

“I am an 83-year-old grandma with family in the Portland to Seattle area,” wrote Jean McNamar of North Bend.

“I have children living (in Portland). I fly to Alaska a lot and I like to stop over at PDX to visit my children. My corporate office is in Denver, Colo., and again I like to layover in Portland,” Susan Pollock wrote.

Economically, the loss of air service north would be “crippling,” wrote Charles Mast.

“Horizon’s North Bend, Ore., to Portland, Ore., flight is very important for this community’s economic survival,” wrote Denesa Rains.

“We are already isolated and with the closure of the rail line and now Horizon, we have very limited choices in an already economically depressed region. This could very easily take this community into a worse downward spiral than we have already had to endure,” an anonymous comment writer said.

Thomas Kyle, owner of Kyle Electric in North Bend, and National Electrical Contractors Association member, wrote, “I hold the position of vice president in our state chapter and may be president next year. The position will require national travel up to six times a year.

“Without air access to Portland it will be much more difficult to maintain my level of participation nationally,” Kyle wrote.

Reese Electric owner Randy Rema, of North Bend, said he will have trouble recruiting employees.

“Who wants to live where you are severely isolated due to lack of air service to the remainder of the state?” he asked.

Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative General Manager and CEO Roger Meader sent the DOT a letter saying he was dismayed. “Businesses must make a profit to stay viable, but keep in mind that the maximum rate of return for every service is not the total bottom line, but serving our communities.”

Debra Graham, M.D., a North Bend ophthalmologist, said she receives corneas for corneal transplant surgery.

“Corneal donor tissue is sent to North Bend by air from the LIONS Bank of Oregon in Portland. Not having air service from Portland to North Bend will impact our ability to provide important medical services!”