Airport Authority election up in air

By Eric Freeman

efreeman@columbustelegram.com

COLUMBUS �” Elections are complicated affairs. When the board for which an individual has filed their candidacy months earlier, moves toward dissolution, matters become more complicated and the eventual outcome less clear.

Dan Meysenburg filed with the Platte County Election Commission Feb. 20 to place his name on the ballot in the race for one of two open seats on the Columbus Airport Authority. In the months since it’s become clear, that barring unexpected developments, the function of the airport authority board will revert to the city soon after the general election Nov 4.

Members of the Columbus Airport Authority voted 3-2 Oct. 21, to proceed with the payment of all outstanding debt on or before Dec. 1 and proposed that a “Columbus Board of Airport Commissioners” be created.

In a letter to the city council dated Oct. 15, Columbus City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli wrote: “By statute, once this action (paying off the debt) has occurred, the functions of the airport authority revert to the city.”

Meysenburg said he filed because he has an interest in aviation and had wanted to work to help keep the Columbus Airport a viable operation.

"I have no idea how this will work with the airport authority on the way out," Meysenburg said. "The election is, it seems to me, a moot point because once the airport authority's bills are paid everything will go back to the city."

Meysenburg said the Columbus Municipal Airport is a great airport with good potential that brings a substantial economic impact to the local economy.

“Our airport is a valuable asset to the city,” Meysenburg said. “A state study showed that the Columbus airport has a more than $9 million impact on the economy here. That’s an important benefit to our area.”

He said he will submit his name for consideration for the new Columbus Airport Board.

Cecil Jones is the only incumbent on the Columbus Airport Authority. He is running for re-election to a six-year term.

“In view of the circumstances and the ongoing discussions between the airport authority and the city, I would prefer not to answer any questions at this time,” Jones said during a phone interview last week.

The other open six-year term has been held by Rick Gasper, who did not seek re-election, and Dave Hogelin, who is running uncontested for a two-year term vacated by Herman Person.

Jeff Krings said his bid for a seat on the airport authority is motivated by his desire to make the Columbus Municipal Airport a better airport.

“It is my understanding that if the airport authority reverts to the city, there won’t be an election,” Krings said. “I applied for the position in the hopes of making it a better airport.”

Krings is a pilot who has close ties to the airport.

“As you know, the airport authority has been in turmoil for the past 10 years,” he said. ”I’m a pilot, and I’m out at the airport almost every day. Things out there are not as they should be. There are things in need of repair, and there’s been a lack of maintenance out there for a long time.”

Krings said if elected he would work to ensure regular maintenance was done and that general upkeep of the airport was done in a timely fashion.

Krings described the airport as the doorway to the city and an important key to bringing new industry and business to town.

“There is a lot of business that comes through the airport,” he said. “Companies like NPPD and Katana use the airport on a regular basis, and I believe the airport is an important key to bringing new industry and new business to Columbus.

“We have many people who come through because of business or for other reasons, who end up staying at our hotels and motels and who eat at our restaurants. This is an important part of our city and how it is perceived.”

Krings said he will submit his name for consideration of a seat on the board of airport commissioners if the plan succeeds to allow the airport authority to revert to the city .

Mangiamelli was asked to explain what will happen to any funds remaining after the airport authority pays its debts and the function of the authority reverts to the city. He replied via e-mail Friday morning.

“(It’s) just like an annexation,” Mangiamelli wrote. “Any assets and liabilities of the airport authority will become the assets and liabilities of the city upon dissolution of the authority. Any contracts the authority has entered into will become the obligation of the city.”