"Port reviews airport fuel concession deal"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, April 7, 2005

Port reviews airport fuel concession deal
The Port Townsend (WA) Leader


The Port of Port Townsend has been making $30,000 a year from operating the
fuel concession at Jefferson County International Airport, but in the past,
commissioners have leased out the concession.

Several members of the port staff were negotiating with an out-of-state
businessman who wanted to build a $300,000 fixed-base operation, and the
staff was considering leasing the fuel concession.

However, there was a counter-offer from a local business. Tommy Wacker, who
runs Tailspin Tommy's repair shop, also submitted a proposal to run the fuel
operation and renovate his old hangar - the airport's oldest structure. 

In addition, a few other staff members questioned whether the port should
relinquish the fuel revenue without more research.

"I'm not opposed to giving up the fuel concession," said Chief Financial
Officer Donald Taylor. "I'm opposed of giving up the $30,000 income without
a discussion of the pros and cons." 

Executive Director Larry Crockett said they might need the $30,000 to pay
for upcoming improvements. Though the Federal Aviation Administration would
pay for 95 percent of proposed new taxiway construction, the federal agency
works on a cash reimbursement basis so "we will have to pony up first," said
Crockett. 

Commissioners Conrad Pirner, Herb Beck and Bob Sokol expressed their desire
for more review.

"We rushed into this and got a lot of people, including ourselves, excited,"
said Sokol. "We should take a step back and make a slow, deliberative
decision instead of rushing into a decision."


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