"Florida airport to vote on lobbyist"

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Airport to vote on lobbyist
BY WAYNE T. PRICE 
FLORIDA TODAY


The Melbourne International Airport wants to hire a well-connected
Tallahassee lobbyist to help it secure state and federal funding for
projects.

On Wednesday, the seven-member Melbourne Airport Authority is scheduled to
vote on hiring Frederick W. Leonhardt of the GrayRobinson law firm's Orlando
office. That firm also represents Melbourne International on legal issues.

Leonhardt would be paid $2,500 a month or $30,000 a year, plus reimbursable
expenses.

Leonhardt is a "shareholder" or partner with GrayRobinson in Orlando, and he
has a substantial list of accolades highlighting his influence. Currently,
he is on the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, the state's
economic-development organization; and is past chairman of the Florida
Chamber of Commerce. He also has raised money for George Bush's presidential
campaign.

"It's not only Tallahassee where he's connected. It's also Washington," said
Jack Ryals, chairman of the Airport Authority. "I've been to Washington with
him, and he's very well-connected."

A state database lists Leonhardt as a 2006 legislative lobbyist for 30
entities, including the city of Orlando, the Florida League of Cities, the
Florida Municipal Electric Association, the Orange County Sheriff and
Wachovia Bank.

According to the agenda for Wednesday's meeting, Leonhardt would "assist the
airport in obtaining state and federal funds by working with staff to
identify priority projects, and assist in working with state agencies (and)
public-private partnerships, such as Enterprise Florida, of which he is a
governor-appointed board member."

Airport officials also hope Leonhardt will help the airport in attracting
new airlines to Melbourne International to compete with Delta Air Lines, the
only major air carrier based in Melbourne.

In other action on Wednesday, the Airport Authority will vote on building a
new flight school and hangar for Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics,
allowing it to remain on the south side of the airport.

Airport officials list several reasons why the $2.5 million facility is
needed, including security concerns by the Federal Aviation Administration
and the Transportation Security Administration related to the flight
school's current location.

Using a grant from the Emil Buehler Trust, Florida Tech is contributing $1.5
million toward a 14,000-square-foot flight hangar and a 12,000-square-foot
administration building. The building will be called the Buehler Center.

Florida Tech would lease the facility from the airport for about $75,141 a
year for the five years, and then the price would be adjusted for consumer
price index increases.

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