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Copyright ©2003 PCDA
February 16, 2000 - The Regional Airport "Just in Time" Committee is gaining steam fueled by the activities of the Yeager Airport supporters. At the regular meeting of the committee Wednesday evening, the almost full house crowd, considered ways to counteract the recent media blitz undertaken by the Yeager supporters.
Putnam County Commissioner Jim Withrow participates in a discussion about the potential funding mechanisms for the pro-regional airport forces. Withrow suggested that at the next meeting of the committee, each county appoint members to serve on a joint committee representing the interests of each county. Shelley Huffmann suggested that Lincoln County could act as "depository" for funds. It was also suggested that the PROTEC organization in Putnam County could serve a depository until the organization was offcially organized. Three members are to be appointed by the County Commission from each of the affected counties to the organization. Appointments are to be made prior to March 1, if possible. From the full committee, an Executive Committee is to be appointed that will oversee day-to-day activities.
Gary Walton, PCDA Executive Director suggested that Yeager supporters are not waiting for public opinion to turn. Advertisements are already running on local television stations on a daily basis that focus on the negative aspects - without benefit of facts. The ads focus on a possible total long-term cost of $500 million in costs without explaining the cost of improving Yeager Airport and its costs to Kanawha County taxpayers.
Leff Moore explains the importance of getting the public and local elected officials more involved in the decision-making process. Mr. Moore stressed the importance of involving representatives (both private and public) from each of the counties that are affected by the proposed improvements.
Mr. Moore further stressed the importance of getting "facts" to the people of Putnam, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Cabell and other affected counties.
Mr. Jim Purgerson, CED of the Ashland Alliance was also in attendance to show the importance of the proposed regional alliance with regard to the multi-state impact expected. The Ashland Alliance is the Chamber of Commerce and Regional Development Partnership that serves the City of Ashland, Boyd and Greenup Counties in Kentucky.
Stephen Haid, President, Stephen E. Haid & Associates, was on hand to explain the importance of providing justifiable facts to citizens. Mr. Haid agreed to prepare a proposal that will be presented to the next meeting of the board.
The minimum budget structure proposed during the meeting was $179,000. The amount would have to be made up by the counties involved in supporting the regional airport concept.