Mayor Robert Scattini thinks the Airport Advisory Commission’s
usefulness has come to an end, but we wonder why
– especially when Gavilan College is working to acquire 85 acres
near the airport to build a campus in San Benito County.
Mayor Robert Scattini thinks the Airport Advisory Commission’s usefulness has come to an end, but we wonder why – especially when Gavilan College is working to acquire 85 acres near the airport to build a campus in San Benito County.
The Airport Commission – formed 20 years ago – is composed of five volunteers with an interest and expertise in aviation who give input and advice to the airport manager and the City Council.
But Scattini feels that “the Airport Commission has done its duty,” and has asked the council to consider disbanding it. The commission was formed decades ago to help the then part-time manager of the airport. Now, the city has full-time manager – Bill Gere, who was hired in November, 2004 – who gives the City Council monthly reports and works on projects. That, Scattini feels, makes the commission redundant.
But the Airport Commission has no binding authority over the airport. It’s recommendations are only that: Recommendations. That is part of the beauty of such a group. People with first-hand knowledge guide and give input on important issues regarding the airport. The council uses it as a sounding board for important decision regarding the airport, but does not have to follow it’s advice. Why wouldn’t they be interested in free input from experts?
Now is a strange time to turn down such guidance. Gavilan’s plans to build near the airport raise a number of questions about safety, noise and the wisdom of building near a runway. In fact, the commission has voted to oppose the campus near the airport citing zoning concerns and possible conflicts with future airport enterprises. This a good time to have aviation experts to turn to for an opinion as the debate about the campus site plays out. In fact, an advisory board would have been useful tool for Gavilan in deciding on a site for the San Benito Campus.
The council should not disband the Airport Commission, especially when there is such a large project on the horizon that could have an impact on the our municipal airfield.
Rework it to address concerns raised by council members if necessary, but do not leave the City Council flying solo on airport matters.
