As of Saturday, November 5, 2011
© Copyright 2013
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE -- Days before a citizens review panel begins to meet to review Gwinnett's airport privatization proposal, a group is calling for the ouster of one of its members.
On Friday, members of Fly Gwinnett Forward -- a group supporting commercialization of Briscoe Field -- said they wanted Jim Regan removed from the board.
Regan has openly campaigned against the airport proposal, along with three of the other members of the task force. But Fly Gwinnett Forward members objected when he reposted a Facebook message calling for a protest of the pro-commercialization group's sponsorship of a GOP breakfast.
Regan said at least one task force member appears to be on Fly Gwinnett Forward's side, so he should be allowed to continue to spread word about opposition.
"My intention was purely to notify people," he said, adding that he did not plan to attend Saturday's breakfast. "I don't see anything wrong with that."
But Paula Hastings of FGF said Regan has spread disinformation, linking her citizens group to a company that proposed passenger service at the airport.
"It doesn't give a fair chance to have a true fair process," she said.
The meeting, scheduled at the county airport offices to be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, which is Election Day, is expected to be mostly organizational, with the nine members selecting a chairman and regular meeting date. An introduction to the airport and the privatization process is also expected.
Last month, commissioners voted to officially reject qualifications submitted previously to the board. Instead, they are opening the request for proposals process to more companies, asking for privatization of the airport as a general aviation operation but also a long-term vision that could allow commercial flights.
The citizens group, which was officially formed last month, is expected to oversee that process.
Board members include: Gaye McNeil, Steve Ramey, Terry Britt, Nickie Summers, Mary Jane Polizzotto, Woody Woodruff, Jeff Timler, Gary Custar, Tony Powell, Regan and Tip Cape.
More like this story
- Airport future: Officials revising timeline ( November 4, 2010 )
- Process begins anew on Gwinnett airport, advisory board formed ( October 4, 2011 )
- Airport committee looks at other private ventures ( December 6, 2011 )
- Gwinnett airport committee complete ( October 18, 2011 )
- Propeller submits sole proposal for Briscoe ( February 8, 2012 )
Comments
BevL 1 year, 6 months ago
The utter hypocrisy of Paula Hastings and the FGF group is mind boggling. Jim Regan has been one of the leaders for the citizens against the commercialization of Briscoe Field and represents a large number of citizens of Gwinnett County. Who better to serve on this panel? He does not represent any business interests or company interests - just plain, ordinary citizens who are fighting for their quality of life. Who and what is Fly Gwinnett Forward representing? Money and business. The citizens in this area are just not important in their scenario and I am sure FGF are well represented on this panel.
MissDaisyCook 1 year, 6 months ago
The Panel should all have open minds. Mre. Regan has already expressed his opinion and therefore is incapable of such a mind. The Panel should be open to the question of whether or not the expansion of services at the airport benefits the Gwinnett community as a whole or not. Since Mr Regan has already made up his mind he should remove himself from the Panel and campaign opnely against the expansion.
CD 1 year, 6 months ago
@ Daisy: Jim is just a concerned citizen that lives in the area. Paula and FGF is the product of the Gwinnett Chamber, Landmark, and many of the gluttonous heathens that stand to make a buck off of the airport expansion. If Jim should be removed from the panel, then certainly the products of the above self-interests should be removed as well. This is not about the welfare of the county as far as FGF is concerned. It's simply about filling the pockets of the gluttonous heathens at taxpayer's expense. Like I've said before, never did I see a "regular" guy out and about protesting for this expansion, but only the shills. If the expansion will not stand up to the light of day, then certainly it should not go forward. I believe Jim is capable of putting that fact in front of the panel in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner.
It tickles me when I hear the FGF folks spout off about how increased competition will magically create lower airfares. Since when did airports compete? I thought the oligopoly airlines “competed”. And by the way, the airline oligopoly does not have much reason to compete. Ticket prices are (loosely) based on seats in the air and demand for the services of the oligopoly, not airports on the ground. Besides, I can’t imagine any major moving in as they have their infrastructure in place at HJA. Delta already said such. At best, you’ll have regionals—with serious safety concerns—flying in and offering trips to less than optimal destinations at ABOVE PRICE tickets elsewhere such as HJA. Why above price, well, if they view it as more convenient for the traveler, then the traveler will pay for that convenience. Finally, for all the citizens of Gwinnett and surrounding areas that may use the airport: why on earth would they need a hotel, rental car, or restaurant (a restaurant other than where they would normally frequent)? They won’t. So much for the economic boom. The only “boom” would be the gluttonous heathens piling the cash in their freezers and then slamming the door shut before the ill-gotten cash falls to the floor or a spying neighbor catches sight of it.
momto3 1 year, 6 months ago
Paula Hastings is a concerned citizen that ALSO lives in the area. Saying that she's only involved in FGF to make money is ridiculous. She's involved because she thinks it's something the community should look into. She's asking for open discussions of all options. Jim is just standing his ground and is unwilling to hear any views other than his own. Why should he be on a panel discussing options when he doesn't believe there are any options? Open minded people are needed. People who are willing to hear all sides. Jim is not one of those people.
WantingFacts 1 year, 6 months ago
Jim Regan has been very honest about his opposition to passenger jet service at Briscoe. As far as I can tell, his objections have been based upon fact. I would much rather have someone serving on this committee who is committed to making a recommendation based upon facts, than someone who is making unsubstantiated claims about 30,000 jobs being created. Please let me know what material unsubstantiated claims Jim has made?
BevL 1 year, 6 months ago
Fly Gwinnett Foward sponsoring the GOP breakfast? That certainly raises red flags about our Republican Party leadership in Gwinnett and their concern for their members who are fighting for their lives over this airport issue. Does our Republican Party represent the citizens of this county or the special interests who can afford to feed them a free meal?
R 1 year, 6 months ago
This is one “sponsor” the Gwinnett GOP may regret accepting so close to major elections.
ScottieM 1 year, 6 months ago
Strange that Fly Gwinnett is concerned about having someone openly opposed to commercial passenger service on the citizens committee. The consultants hired by Gwinnett county (IMG) advised that the prevailing conditions are not favorable to starting up a new commercial airport and the BoC has agreed to be guided by IMG. So the citizens committee shouldn't even be discussing commercial passenger service. They should only be discussing ways to improve Briscoe as a general avaition airport and giving input as representatives of the community. I hope this does not mean that some members are going to try to derail the citizens committee by continuing to push for commercial passenger service.
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