Case to keep airport manager

To the editor:

Like most citizens, I am not an expert on aviation, airports or airplanes. I can't think that getting rid of David Miller will not be a big loss for the airport. If he takes his business and his fleet of planes to Celina, what does that leave here? I imagine his business looks good on paper when the city is trying to get federal funds.

Speaking of his business, someone needs to remember that it and his books are his and his alone. When Mr. Barber called IDEM in to investigate, was that just to cause trouble? Wouldn't Miller have been able to handle to problems without the big guns being called? Sounded like it was a way to get rid of him. Seems like 20 years of his life has been a plus for him as well as the airport.

Then there is another question that myself and many others would like answered. What are the qualifications to be on the aviation board? I know that the mayor appoints the members. For maybe the last 40 years or so, the members were very well known people. There have been doctors, lawyers, ministers, retired military, farmers, pilots, successful business people and unsuccessful business people. There have been a few surprises that make you wonder why they are on the board and what they can bring to the table. I'm sure there have been some that should never have been appointed at all. I know I probably have left many titles out.

Maybe its politics or maybe you need a yes man. That always helps. Can a regular "Joe" be on the board? Probably at one time or another you couldn't pay someone to be appointed so that's when you end up with someone that couldn't run anything but they are willing to try. Oh well, it is at it is.

So let's talk about the new and expanded runway. Is it needed.? Do you build that before any prospect of industry or do you build it so you can tell the industry you have it? I realize it's a perk to show and tell, but we have an industrial park and look at that. We have a "spec" building that's been there forever and a bankrupt business that looks like crap. The city has put money in the land to clean it up, but I can't imagine that it's not been a costly measure.

I realize you can always hope and pray that industries fill up fast. So what about the runway? Some say it's like putting the horse before the cart. The new board says yes, so I guess it's a go. Did they need IDEM involved? The board says yes, so ...?

So to close, losing Miller would be a mistake. I've always heard, "Don't bite off more than you can chew." There may be a lot of chewing before it's over. Hang in there, David, you've done a good job.

Thank you,

Penny Imel

Portland[[In-content Ad]]