"Decision on Solano County ALUC chair delayed"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Decision on airport chair delayed
By Danny Bernardini
The Vacaville (CA) Reporter


The county's mayors Wednesday night postponed a decision on whether to
remove John Foster, chairman of the Solano County Airport Land Use
Commission. 

Four of the seven mayors on the Solano County City Selection Committee were
concerned about making a decision without evidence of misconduct during a
November meeting, as reported by Jane Day, Suisun City's vice mayor. Thus,
the mayors' decision was postponed until February. 

During the committee's meeting Wednesday night, a motion was made by Day to
remove Foster. 

But that motion was recalled after Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and
others said they were weary of making a decision based only on the
accusations that Foster acted inappropriately at an ALUC meeting. 

Day said, among other complaints, Foster did not allow Suisun City officials
to speak at an ALUC meeting featuring a proposal for a Wal-Mart Supercenter
in Suisun City. 

"Mr. Foster's conduct was completely irresponsible," Day said. "He has
earned the right to be dismissed on his actions and his actions alone." 

Dixon Mayor Mary Ann Courville said that because the meeting in question
involved a controversial decision by the ALUC to vote against the Wal-Mart
proposal, removing Foster may look suspicious. 

"To me, it looks too close to a Wal-Mart decision," Courville said. "As much
as you (Day) are telling me it isn't retaliation, it's perceived that way to
the public." 

Some of those members of the public took to the parking lot of the Hungry
Hunter restaurant, site of Wednesday's meeting, with picket signs in favor
of keeping Foster as chair. 

The ALUC is a nine-person advisory board created by the county to provide
orderly development of airports in Solano County, as well as areas
surrounding airports, to prevent new noise and safety problems. 

Five of those members are individually appointed by a county supervisor, the
other four are appointed by four mayors in Solano County cities near
airports. Because commissioners are appointed, rather than voted in, their
positions can be taken away at any time. 

Eddie Woodruff, mayor of Rio Vista, said that without knowing Foster or how
he behaved at that meeting, it would be difficult for him to vote to remove
him. Woodruff and others asked to receive a copy of the video of that
meeting. 

"I'm very uncomfortable with this," Woodruff said. "I don't know this
gentleman, and to be fair, we have to weigh both sides." 

Osby Davis, mayor of Vallejo, asked Day, Fairfield Mayor Harry Price and
Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine whether Foster had acted inappropriately in
the past, or only at the Nov. 8 meeting. 

Day said Foster often doesn't accept the data presented to him. She said
this wasn't the first offense. 

"We have seen him do this before," she said. "I didn't feel he had an open
mind." 

Courville asked whether any other cities besides Suisun City had a problem
with Foster's actions. Price said the Fairfield City Council shared concern
over Foster's behavior. 

Just before the decision regarding Foster was moved to the February meeting,
Price stressed that whatever action is taken, it will come with great
thought. 

"Any decision this body makes should be taken seriously," Price said.
"Removal is serious business." 

Earlier in the day, ALUC vice chair John Kakacek said it would be a shame to
get rid of Foster, and if it happened, there would be an additional vacancy.


"If that happens, it's a miscarriage of justice," Kakacek said. "If the
politicians get rid of Foster, I'm going to resign. I don't want to be part
of a Mickey Mouse organization that is controlled by political outsiders
because they don't like our decisions." 

Kakacek, who said he has served on the commission for five years, is soured
by the reasons given for Foster's possible removal. He said Foster has been
nothing but professional while acting as chair and is the hardest-working
member of the commission. Kakacek also fears for the future of Travis Air
Force Base if the ALUC loses the right to oppose projects. 

"He's the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable on that panel," he said. "We
are the only ones protecting Travis."


   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php

*****************************************