"Reinventing the airport board"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Reinventing the airport board
The Venice (FL) Gondolier Sun


It was a choice between changing a few members or replacing the entire
airport advisory board, according to Venice Mayor Ed Martin.

Martin announced Feb. 4 his intention to replace Robert Bartanowicz, a
retired Federal Aviation Administration chief, and Nick Carlucci, president
of Venice Aviation Society Inc., on the board now that their terms have
expired. Both had sought reappointment.

>From a distance, the move could look political.

Not so, says Martin.

"I am looking to make peace here. This is a step in a positive direction ...
a way to get the board and business community and other stakeholders to work
cooperatively," Martin said. "Bart and Nick were not hindrances to that.
They did fine. You either don't make any changes, or you do. I think this is
a better change than setting up a new board."

He received suggestions from some citizens, including pilots, encouraging
modifying, even abolishing the board.

"It's a compromise," Martin said. "If I can save it and reform it so people
don't feel it's just a cheerleader for the pilot's association ... let's see
if that is successful."

Martin hopes to refocus the board on the business end of running the
airport, but first it'll have to move past the current deadlock over
adopting an airport layout plan and long-range master plan.

Coalition rising

A new coalition is trying to come up a new airport layout plan acceptable to
all parties. It includes pilots and citizens working cooperatively, Martin
said. 

"We aren't part of that (effort), and I want it that way ... not to be
divisive," Martin said. 

"What I am hoping to get from that group is a plan they all feel comfortable
with," he said. "It would be a plan essentially like one they previously
agreed to. It won't require having the city take land from the airport, or
impact leases (Lake Venice Golf Club), at least very little, and won't
require Gulf Shores to be in the airport's protection zone."

He was referring to the newly created Venice Airport Business Association.
VABA President A.C. Schmieler introduced the organization last month to
council. He said VABA's mission is to support area businesses through safe
and sustainable operations at the Venice Municipal Airport. 

The group consists of airport business owners, and "concerned individuals
and liaison members from other associations." It has about 50 members and is
supported solely by their dues, he said.

"They told me they are getting along well and are even thinking of having
(current airport consultant) MEA experts review their alternative airport
layout plan to approve it. If they all think it's a good plan, and are
comfortable, then they should go to the council and say 'this is our plan.'

"To me, if you can get the neighborhoods, businesses and pilots working with
each other, that's the kind of consensus government I want to run."

How that plays out with the airport advisory board remains to be seen. The
previous council -- prior to the November2007 elections -- rejected a draft
layout and master plan, primarily because of protection zones that extend
out over Gulf Shores neighborhood.

New focus, new faces 

Martin said a renewed focus on airport operations is long overdue.

"We need to look at the airport from a business perspective," Martin said.
"It has not been historically well run. I want to strengthen the airport
board with good business people. I would like them to be more proactive in
getting a good return on the (airport's) enterprise fund."

One of the airport board replacements is James Marble, a key player in the
developing coalition to produce an alternative airport plan.

Marble was CEO of two businesses but his airport experience is limited.
Aside from spending two years fresh out of college decades ago as a
technical writer for Boeing Aviation, his only airport experience has been
studying FAA manuals and presenting his own ideas over the past year.

Martin called Marble "a problem-solving kind of guy" who works well, and
quietly, with other people.

Walter Hake, a late applicant for the board, is the other appointee Martin
will recommend to council on Feb. 12.

Hake was a Navy pilot in World War II and owned an aircraft for nine years
at Venice airport. He was part owner of a very small private airport and
wrote for Beechcraft Magazine on airplane maintenance. He has experience in
development engineering. Martin called Hake a "very strong advocate" for the
airport. 

Golden Beach resident Jim Leis is an incumbent board member. Martin is
recommending to city council that Leis retain his seat.

Leis was a member of the Illinois Air National Guard and the Air Force,
where he trained in communication and airport operations.


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