LETTERS: DECISIONS AT THE AIRPORT

To the editor:

I read your recent editorial concerning continued funding for the airport control tower with great interest. The city of Cape Girardeau is to be commended for its continued commitment to safety and the realization as to what an important factor our airport is in the economic development of our region. As an airport board member, I welcome the city's wise choice to proceed, at least in the short term, with this course of action. However, with a view to the long term, I am deeply troubled by the city's apparent lack of long-term vision in how to best solve funding and growth concerns at the airport.

The last two years have seen a steady decline of activity and progress at the airport. To cite a few examples, with the loss of tower funding being No. 1, we have also seen airline service cut by one-third, the closing (again) of the airport restaurant and a continued decline of activity, both in local and transient traffic. In my opinion, the primary cause of this decline has been the lack of strong airport management and vision. The lack of vision was what the priorities of running the airport should be and how best the airport could be promoted and marketed so as to be a viable asset to the region's economy. The airport shouldn't be viewed as just a mediocre public service which is only a dubious, but necessary, cash drain.

The city currently is in the process of selecting a new airport manager. An opportunity to turn the airport around and start the climb back to viability is available. The only, and best, way to get a return of federal funding for the airport is to increase activity at the airport: more takeoffs and landings. This effort will take a true professional in airport management, someone experienced in marketing, promoting and running an airport. This is a task which is unique in its requirements to other areas of city government.

The Airport Advisory Board is appointed by the City Council to provide qualified and experienced advice on how the airport should proceed. Many members are experienced directly in aviation business or related professional fields. All members share a desire to see the airport grow and prosper. Yet, in the selection of a fully qualified airport manager, city management has elected not to include the airport board. I feel this is a waste of talent and expertise which cannot be duplicated by members of the city staff. No negative reflection on their qualifications is intended. It is just a statement of fact as to the unique requirements of the position. Our current city manager, as an example, has never managed a city which even had an airport, much less on served by an airline.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce has rated our airport as No. 1 on his list of assets in attracting new growth. I feel that others concerned with attracting new growth to our are would share this appraisal. With this in mind, my question is: Should the city try to hire the best qualified or the one the administration will feel the most comfortable with?

RANDY HOLDMAN, Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Advisory Board member and chief pilot for Drury Southwest

Cape Girardeau