"Airport security management disputed at North Dakota airport"

Friday, July 23, 2004

Airport security management disputed at Fargo airport 
The Associated Press


BISMARCK, N.D. - State and federal officials are trying calm a dispute
over security management at the Fargo airport.

State Aeronautics Commissioner Gary Ness wrote a letter June 14 to
Charlotte Peed, the regional director of the federal Transportation
Safety Administration, suggesting that Fargo TSA director Bruce Towers
and two inspectors be reassigned. The letter, obtained by Fargo's KFGO
radio, said Towers' criticism of Fargo airport managers was
inappropriate and caused undue concern.

Towers and the two inspectors "may be very good security types, however
the total issue is so fractured that to bring it back to a cooperative
nature does not seem possible," the letter said. Ness suggested the TSA
director in Bismarck be put in charge of Fargo as well.

After talking with Gov. John Hoeven, Ness sent Peed a second letter,
dated June 24, backing off his earlier letter and suggesting instead
that any management conflicts "be worked through with the best interest
of security and the public at large."

Hoeven's chief of staff, Bill Goetz, said Friday that he and the
governor met with Ness, and he hoped the officials can get together and
resolve their differences.

Ness did not return calls seeking comment Friday.

Towers declined comment but said through TSA spokeswoman Amy Von Walter
that he continues to work with Fargo airport officials. A meeting is
planned with Mayor Bruce Furness and other city leaders soon, Von Walter
said.

Ness' second letter "essentially retracts the first letter," Von Walter
said.

"It seems there's some agreement that we will continue to work
together," she said.

Von Walter said she did not know the specifics of Ness' complaints, and
knew of no major changes ordered at the Fargo airport by TSA. Ness first
letter said he wrote it after a 1 1/2-hour briefing from Towers that
included a "very detailed list of his concerns with the management of
Hector International."

Furness was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment; Fargo
Airport Authority Director Shawn Dobberstein was on vacation.

"We have not issued any fines against the airport for any violations,"
Von Walter said. "As much as possible, we like to work through the
problems."


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