FAA Initiatives At Ohio Airport Compromised Under GOP And DOT Pressure

WELL DONE. THIS VERY GOOD STORY. THIS HAPPEN TO AN AIRPORT IN MIAMI CALLED OPALOCKA AIRPORT. THEY DROVE ALL THE TENANTS OUT. THIS MUST STOP, BIG BUSINESS IS DRIVING THE SMALL BUSINESSMAN OUT INTO THE STREET WITH NO PLACE TO GO.

Long story but great work. I listened to the tapes and I’m surprised at how the commissioners treated the wife of the Dan LeClair president of the 'Friends of the Huron County Airport'. Im also surprised that the commissioner did not know what the airport operating cost was and what the annual revenues the airport brought in. I don’t see how a commissioner could take a position to sell the airport if he does not have the facts. Why does the airport authority allow the commissioners to overstep their authority?

This is a perfect example of short sightedness and mis-education. As an Airport Manager, I am extremely lucky to have great support from the local community and our sponsoring government, but I am well aware that there are other airport managers out there who do not share this luxury. It is our job to get out into the community and properly educate residents as to the true value of having an airport because once they are gone, there is typically no bringing them back. It has been proven time and time again that a community with an airport and good support for the airport is at a distinct advantage over a similar community without either. I can say with absolute certainty that without my airport 3 of the area's largest employers would not have located those businesses in my community, the largest of those being Nissan North America. Without that type of business, this community would be severely crippled. As it is, this community is thriving! Support your local airport!!

I hope the AOPA gets involved with this one. They have a good track record of saving airports by enlightening these politicians and the public with the facts.

As a travel enthusiast I am amazed that any airport in this day in age is being deemed worthy of the cutting block. An airport is asset to any town, groups of towns or county for that matter. These county representatives clearly have no understanding of the situation at hand. We need to hold our representatives accountable for protecting the peoples interests. We do not elect officials to protect the interests of private entities over the interest of the community. Investigations need to take place.

The Huron County Commissioners are *elected* by that county’s constituents, and the Airport Authority’s Board is *appointed* by those Commissioners. Who is it that exceeds their authority? It seems political stench issues from both factions. What is common to both, though, is reliance on federal “grants,” and the troublesome conditions that ensue. [Full disclosure: I grew up in a county adjacent to Huron County.]

The FAA needs to clean house at the top and select officals who press to save airports not barter them away. Ms. Schalk should be demoted or fired for her part in the intervention. The three county commissioners obviously violate their own laws and are in bed with the raceway owner. The tapes speak for them selves. They should be impeached. I'm sure the only way for this story to be told was with all the facts printed which makes it long but certainly gives a complete picture of what many airports are going through right now. This needs to be investigated...

Great story and a sad comment on the backroom political dealings for personal gain of private individuals. How is it that the county commissioners are unaware of the revenue generated by the airport and yet feel they can determine what the budget should be??? And what business of theirs is it what the FAA deems to be an appropriate level of reimbursement to the PUBLIC airport for the use of the facilities by a PRIVATE entity??? If anything, the commissioners SHOULD BE DELIGHTED that the FAA sees fit to assess a fair value for the use of the airport. Seems to me that fee would more than cover the budget shortfall and put the airport / county ahead by some $20,000. Not only that, but it would also facilitate getting a $600,000 FAA grant to the airport that would give a much needed shot in the arm to the local economy.