Airport Authority Selects New Leadership

Fairhope, Al.

FOUNDING OFFICERS RESIGNING

July Airport Authority
At its July meeting, Airport Authority members unanimously voted to appoint Joe McEnerney as next chairman, Pam Caudill vice chair, and Ray Hix secretary/treasurer: to be finalized at the August 18th meeting: previously-announced resignations of Chuck Zunk, Rod Platt and Charlie Bassett become effective in September.

The Authority's attorney David Bagwell will also be leaving, but no replacement mentioned yet.

(Zunk himself blamed the imminent arrival of "grandkids" as reason for resigning; but others mention a difference of opinion with certain city leaders over the "vision" for the airport as important as well.)


 OTHER MATTERS

* NEW HANGARS APPROVED 

Chairman Zunk  said a ground lease (plat 2) is almost ready to be signed with  Executive Aviation where a second corporate hangar will be constructed.
Kel Jones

Executive Aviation, founded by its President Kel Jones in 2007, already operates out of the airport, but needs space for more planes.

The first corporate hangar lease was approved earlier this year with Alan Boan's Cedar Creek Leasing; construction has not yet begun on that one.

Both companies offer charters, sales and various other services for private jet aircraft.

The new hangars will be located south of the exiting main hangar, on the northwest side of the runway.

Also, two other citizens have expressed interest in smaller single-plane hangars on airport property, since there is no other hangar space available, Zunk said.


Chairman Zunk, left
* A $600K federal aviation grant has been approved to continue drainage and other ground preparation work.

* Three bids were received for fire-proof document storage lockers for Authority paperwork ($5,500 - $7,500): no final selection was made.

* The recent Air Race Classic was a success; financial impact of about $143K for the city and local business; it may want to return in 2020.

* A special "training session" may be held for new A.A. personnel on Sept. 14th.

* The FAA has indicated additional grant money of $1.5 million should become available in 2016; and $1.7 million in 2017 for expansion/development of the east side. That could be further-expedited if "one big project" is announced -- as has been rumored lately (a private aviation manufacturing company locating there?). 

*Continental Motors is almost finished converting the main hangar building (front entrance) to a diesel engine manufacturing/repair facility.


MILITARY PLANE NOISE STILL AN ISSUE

The mayor says he still gets complaints from citizens about noisy military planes training above town and using the airport for 'touch n' go' landings; but the Times has learned that a pre-condition for applying for multi-million dollar federal grants is that the airport can be used for  "national defense" purposes, including pilot training.  

Congressman Byrne told the Times earlier this year that is what the military brass in Washington is telling him too, there is an agreement for military use. 

Mayor Kant often cites "taking the politics out of it" as the prime reason for forming a separate Airport Authority ten years ago: before that the city itself ran it. 



Comments

Anonymous said…
Only Fairhope would have a problem with the sound of freedom, our future front line naval aviators preparing to go into harms way, for us.
Anonymous said…
What a crock. The reason the noisy planes come here from their bases in Florida is because Floridians do not put up with the noise pollution over their own neighborhoods, in their own state -- just send them over to the dumb, redneck, hillbilly, suckers in Alabama instead .... "always been that way" ...
Anonymous said…
Not true, the Navy also has trainers in Pensacola at Sherman Field and Milton at Whiting field, along with others in Alabama. All flying to protect your right to complain.
Anonymous said…
Noise Pollution, you have to be kidding me. Again few complain in Fairhope and think they rule the town. We should welcome our fine Military and thank them for their sacrifice.
What is next inhaling to much air?
Anonymous said…
To retiring board members: thank you for your service and for a job well done
Anonymous said…
Our current leadership is destroying our city, becoming like everywhere else a noisy, traffic congested big city. generic big box stores replace family-owned ones. sad to see it go.
Anonymous said…
Uh ... fYI, Fairhope has always been a tourist town ... but yu can be sure the constant drone of military planes doing loop d' loops over the Grand Hotel instead of just moving a mile or two south will kill that off soon. Keep retirees away too ...

just ask mayor kant about the # of complaints he gets .... from rock creek, etc ...

they never land here ...contribute nothing .. just drop noise pllution on us ... then jet back to Pensacola to spend money for a beer or two ...

we get the noise, florida gets the big bucks from military bases there ... some clueless residents actually defend the scam!
Anonymous said…
Actually when I moved here in the 70's and well throughout the 80's the only tourist were from Robertsdale coming for the fire works on the 4th. Mayor Nix started the downtown beatification but it’s been Kant who has allowed the developers and merchants to turn Fairhope into what it is today. As for the planes each outlying field has a few parked there and the pilots are transported by car. All true patriots of this country should make some sacrifice for our freedom, seems a little tolerance to some noise wound‘t hurt you. No I'm far from clueless.
Anonymous said…
In its early days Fairhope was famous for being a resort town, for visitors from the north escaping cold winters. hence the Grand and other famous hotels.

If airplanes making more unnecessary noise pollution over residential neigborhoods is the 'sound of freedom' then we are all in trouble.

Sound like more tyranny by the Obama's federal government to me.

already afffected my real estate values ... we wanted peace and quiet in our last years but get only this ... just like in the big city.
Anonymous said…
I think them planes are drones, have cameras and are watching you?
Maverick said…
This 4th generation resident has no problems with it. The pilot's training is necessary to protect the freedoms we do enjoy. I've always enjoyed watching the planes practice. There's just too many transplants up on their high horses. It's not like you're living next to O-Hare.
Anonymous said…
The noise is constant in Fairhope.Shame on everyone who is responsible for this.
Anonymous said…
Property values have already been hurt.The planes begin at 6:45AM and continue until 9PM.How can this be fair.Where are our leaders?
Anonymous said…
our elected officials have sold us out . now we are dealing with noise all day and night 7 days a week.maybe when some one gets hurt something will be don
Anonymous said…
our elected officials have sold us out . now we are dealing with noise all day and night 7 days a week.maybe when some one gets hurt something will be don
Anonymous said…
I fully support our military I have two sons serving right now, but to turn our peaceful town into a loud city with no relief is wrong.No one can support this unless they making money from it.
Anonymous said…
I own own a restraint in downtown Fairhope.I am getting complaints everyday .People do not want to eat outside because of the noise.This is getting bad
Anonymous said…
Please help us Moyor Kant
Anonymous said…
i agree there has to be a better place to fly dangerous training dives
Anonymous said…
Kant is responsible he gave controll of the airport to Zunk now Zunk is out...... Kant is nexy
Anonymous said…
oh my you people think you live in a big city? hahahah Well, I think that the planes a lot of them are PRIVATE ones, they have flown over fairhope for years and are annoying as for the big box stores,HUH? Wal Mart is the only one you have and as far as the Grande Hotel guess what that is POINT CLEAR Get over yourself people!
Anonymous said…
I work midnights at Thomas Hospital . When I get home the planes are diving over my house. I just want to sleep.
Anonymous said…
These planes making all the noise are Texan trainers military planes.
Anonymous said…
I agree with Y'all lets organize and put a stop to this noise pollution.
Anonymous said…
Somebody is making some serious money from all these planes "follow the money"
Anonymous said…
Do you expect to sleep after working midnights....,,,, Forget it the planes are flying all night too !
Anonymous said…
No need to go to Pensacola for an air show just come to Fairhope,remember to bring some ear plugs it gets very Loud!
Anonymous said…
Why can't these planes fly higher so they won't be so loud?
Anonymous said…
We all know that the reason these planes are here is because the Fairhope City Officials invited them,remember that on Election Day.
Anonymous said…
Let your elected officials know how you feel about this. These training flights are not in compliance with FAA regulations . Speak up!
Anonymous said…
Thank god for some rain today the only way the plays won't fly
Anonymous said…
Pray for rain it keeps the planes away
Anonymous said…
Buy ear plugs no sing no mybe you can block some of the noise out
Anonymous said…
We don't care about all you people complaining we want to fly low and loud so too bad
Anonymous said…
wow is that how you really feel about the residents of Fairhope?
Anonymous said…
Just so you know there are no regulations that apply to the military so shut up and and war a helmet for the airplane parts that might hit you
Anonymous said…
If you want to see all the complaints about military plane noise go to complaints.com there are hundreds of them listed
Anonymous said…
Most of these training pilots in training will wash out and many are from other countries so they are protecting nothing.
Anonymous said…
I just moved to Fairhope last month. I did not know about this airplane noise, I just found this web site. What can I do to help?
Anonymous said…
Due to the massive airplane traffic in Fairhope we are asking the mayor for a air traffic control tower in Down town Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
I can not believe that anyone with even a litte bit of concern for their fellow Americans would assign over 5o planes a day to buzz down and preform very dangerous aerobatics over schools, hospitals and residential homes 24 hours a day 7 days a week sameon all of you.
Anonymous said…
Stop the noise please
Anonymous said…
How can this be legal ?
Anonymous said…
These planes are driving people out of Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
Today the air plane noise was constant 4 planes,large jumbo jets and helicopters over our once quit golf course community.No one seems to be doing anything about this
Anonymous said…
Today I actually counted over 500 loud plane passes over my house and this was by 11:30 AM
Anonymous said…
There are many people in Fairhope who are very upset about the loud plane noise but are arfraid to saying anything negative about the Military.
Anonymous said…
The planes started buzzing over my house at 7AM today it is now 9:30 PM and they are Still buzzing me this is NOT the sound of freedom this is totally criminal.I would like to organize like minded people to stop this abuse
Publisher said…
Would you want to leave a contact address?
Anonymous said…
Y'all are right these diving planes are LOUD! giving me a dang Headach
Anonymous said…
The noise over our Rock Creek / Sandy Ford neighborhood from the dive bombing planes is now every day starting at 8 AM and lasting till 7 PM. Besides destroying our peace of mind this situation if allowed to continue is going to ruin property values in this area. What can be done?
Publisher said…
We will be posting some new information about this problem shortly ... .
In the interim, suggest you contact Mayor Kant and/or councilman Jack Burrell, both are very involved with the issue behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, lately much of the public's business is being conducted in private -- to avoid controversy and because it is easier for the politicians.
Anonymous said…
Thanks to the Fairhope Times this problem of turning Rock Creek into a 24 hour 7 days a week airport needs attention.It has become intolerable.Please email Mayor Kant.
Anonymous said…
My Thanks are to the Fairhope Times for helping us in this manner.
Anonymous said…
Just to let you know there are 12 planes assigned daily our subdivision.Starting at 7:30AM,diving until sunset.Then flights back and forth all night long
Anonymous said…
Please let us know how we can contact you in a more secure manner
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much Fairhope Times you are truly using the press to help our town and its citizens in this very serious issue.
Anonymous said…
We need to find out why these planes started flying here last December.Where were they training before.We also need to know how many planes are training here I think the number will be shocking.
Anonymous said…
Bravo Fairhope Times😀
Anonymous said…
It is a poorly kept secret that all of these pro noise posts are being authored by Jack Burrell.
Anonymous said…
Man y'all are right them T6 trainers are dang LOUD!
Anonymous said…
It is 11:30 PM and the planes are still buzzing.Fairhope should be known as "the city that never sleeps"
Anonymous said…
Can someone find out how many planes are training here ?
Anonymous said…
There is a reason that property in Pensacola was cheaper than Fairhope.That reason no longer exists.
Anonymous said…
Drive or walk around Fairhope the buzzing sound never goes away as soon as one plane leaves another enters,there are very many planes here.
Anonymous said…
Thank you Publisher you are doing us a great service.
Anonymous said…
I'll bet the people who want planes doing dangerous loud aerobatics
Over residential homes do not live in those homes.

Anonymous said…
Today two planes doing dives in formation over my house twice as loud and four times as dangerous.What will it take to get action to stop this.
Anonymous said…
Make sure that Mayor Kant and Jack Burrell know how we feel on Election day.
Anonymous said…
Stop drinking the kool-aid that loud noise you hear are planes very loud planes and when they kill some one well ...sorry
Anonymous said…
Man those T6 trainers are so loud we call them the "mighty tweet" too bad for you poor fools that live there.
Anonymous said…
I can no longer tolerate this noise I give up.I am putting my house for sale.
Anonymous said…
I wish I could sell my house but property values have fallen due to constant plane noise.
Anonymous said…
Right now 5 planes have Benn flying over my home diving since 7AM .Please show some consideration for the residence of Fairhope.


Anonymous said…
Welcome to NAS Rock Creek.Air shows begin daily at 5:30 AM and continue until well past midnight.Bring your breakfast lunch and Dinner as it promises to be a long day.Don't forget get you ear plugs as these planes are extremely loud.
Anonymous said…
This current military occupation of Fairhope continues to drag on.Please stop the dive bombing we surrender
Anonymous said…
Mayor Kant must be thrown out of office as well as the rest of the board.The plane noise is horrible.
Anonymous said…
The Blue Angels recently had a deadly crash how long until one of these student flyers have an accident into one of our homes.
Anonymous said…
Good Point the Thunder Birds also had a deadly accident.
Anonymous said…
What a dissaster at an Air
Show go figure.
Anonymous said…
Constant air traffic in a small subdivision can result in dangerous levels of chemicals in our air.# Stopthenoise
Anonymous said…
Fairhope Citizens Against Airplane Noise join the cause protect your home and children sign the Petition.
Anonymous said…
Despite numerous citizen complaints, and requests for help, Fairhope's Mayor Tim Kant and current city council members have done absolutely nothing to stop the constant noise of the military's T6 aerobatic training that goes on all day every day directly over our heads and homes. The T6s are dive bombing Rock Creek/Sandy Ford and other residential areas of Fairhope almost constantly.

Remember that the only way we are going to get any peace and quiet and save our property values in Fairhope is to vote out the do nothing Mayor Kant and the current city council members on election day. Vote Kant out and vote current city council members out to save Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
Yes Yes! I agree!Stop the Noise! Please sign the petition we need to organize there are hundreds of neighbors who have had it with the noise lets reclaim our neighborhood.
Anonymous said…
Who are these " sound of freedom" people? There is something going on there.
Anonymous said…
The Holiday break is over brace yourselves for some loud aerobatics a few jumbo Jets and Cargo Planes and a unhealthy dose of helicopters.All day Every day and night time too.
Anonymous said…
Welcome to Fairhope now throw away your alarm clock it is not needed here as the U.S. Navy demands that you are up at sunrise.A plane will be at your home to make sure that you are up like it or not. No extra charge at this time for wake up service.
Anonymous said…
The Navy can and should take over Fairhope and purchase the homes of its citizens so that we can relocate.Just give us market value for our homes that seems reasonable.
Anonymous said…
Mayor Kant has been totally unresponsive to the residents if Fairhope in this issue Vote him OUT!
Anonymous said…
I agree the Plane noise is destroying the quality of life in this once lovely town
Anonymous said…
Throw the entire board out as well.We need new leadership.
Anonymous said…
Please Vote this month Stop Kant!Stop the noise!
Anonymous said…
The plane activity had gotten significantly worse.It stated with one or two T6 trainers now we have dozens for diving in pairs along with large loud transport planes, helicopters and even large jumbo jets.Please let's find out just how large this operation had grown.
Anonymous said…
Thank you all for voting Tim Kant out of office he is to blame for this plane noise.Lets hope our new mayor will help us make Fairhope quiet again.
Anonymous said…
Please let our new Mayor know that air plane noise is still a top issue in Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
Yesterday in Mississippi and student pilot and instructor ejected from the plane by accident.If that had happened in Fairhope people would have been killed.
Anonymous said…
Fairhope Citizens Against Airplane Noise Please sign the petition.Stop the noise.
Anonymous said…
WoW I just found this page.I agree with you all.The plane noise is horrible.Why are they flying here? Does anyone know?I hope they leave.
Anonymous said…
The plane noise if constant please stop.
Anonymous said…
We now have pairs of planes diving together very very loud and dangerous.
Janice said…
I wish all you complainers would move. If you didn't see the airport when you moved here then you are the dumb one. What do you think happens at an airport. Y'all think fairhope is the wonderful fantasy land it's not. You fancied up downtown and think you are something. It's like putting lipstick on a pig it's still a pig. As for tourist, snowbirds and the ones who come down here and never leave then complain and want to change it into some yankee state. About 80% of us wish you would leave and stop clogging up our beaches and highways.
Anonymous said…
That was written by some carpet bagger that owns land near the airport and stands to make money.Stop the noise!
Anonymous said…
These rich Yankees are selling fuel to the military.They are making millions of dollars while we native born Fairhope residents are suffering.Stop the Noise!
Anonymous said…
Let the Mayor know that you care stop the plane noise.
Anonymous said…
We must not let this noise continue.Lets organize and tell Burell and our Mayor how we feel about the loud plane noise.