Nestled on the northern outskirts of the city is the Hollister
Municipal Airport, a diamond in the rough that is beginning to
light up the future for the city.
And just recently, Hollister officials, after a long and
extensive but unsuccessful search to hire an airport manager,
pulled off a coup at a crucial time for the airport and its
surrounding area.
City officials talked former manager Allen Ritter, who retired
just 11 months ago, to return on a part-time basis to the post he
had held for 15 years.
Nestled on the northern outskirts of the city is the Hollister Municipal Airport, a diamond in the rough that is beginning to light up the future for the city.
And just recently, Hollister officials, after a long and extensive but unsuccessful search to hire an airport manager, pulled off a coup at a crucial time for the airport and its surrounding area.
City officials talked former manager Allen Ritter, who retired just 11 months ago, to return on a part-time basis to the post he had held for 15 years.
While the decision is only temporary, officials hope to have a full-time manager in place within 18 to 24 months, it was a prudent move for a number of reasons.
It goes without saying that Ritter brings experience and knowledge to temporarily fill the position.
Also, the part-time hiring saves the city money during its current tough financial times because Ritter will be paid an hourly wage as opposed to a full-time salary, and he will not receive benefits.
More important, Ritter’s re-hiring comes at a time when officials are creating a master plan for the municipal airport that will be used as a guide for development at the site and surrounding area for the next 20 years.
Officials anticipate the document will be completed by the end of the year, and who better to be a part of this process than the former manager with 15 years of experience.
The master plan will guide officials in future expansion at the airport and industrial development at the site and in the surrounding area.
Officials see the airport as an important factor for the city’s future, not only with expansion but also in business and industrial development.
Ritter’s experience cannot be measured at such an important time for the future of the airport, and like Councilman Robert Scattini said about the hiring, “For the time being, it’s just a Band-Aid approach.”
However, while temporarily effective, officials must not lose focus and must actively seek a full-time hire. The airport and the area are becoming key components for the future of the city in attracting future business, creating future jobs and bringing in tourists.
And a person needs to be in place for an area that must grow responsibly.
