I was not able to attend the local debate (I have to have way more notice than a few days...not a dig at Madea, I appreciated her telling us, just why I could not attend.) I did watch the video though.
I would love to hear opinions on who you support as Commission Chair and the reason why. I am on the fence. I would love to hear why you support a person. This is a local race and I really would rather just hear the good about your candidate and factual statements if you would like to make them about another. I just do not want my question to turn into ugliness about any candidate.
Thanks.
Dave Carmichael.
I am sure that nobody wants to continue the debacle at Silver Comet Field. And having said that, let me PROMISE you that all of the ranting and raving about "secret" deals is fabricated and a coverup for Todd Pownall's misfeasance in office.
This is the abbreviated and ACCURATE version of all the PCAA and PCIBA board furor.
1.) The out-of county meeting (All of 5 miles out of the County in Douglasville, at the convention center) was sponsored and paid for by Propeller. In addition to people from Paulding County, there were representatives invited from other airport venues in GA, Columbus (?) and Savannah (?). Propeller invited the PCAA board, the PCIBA board, and the Post Commissioners. Remember now, at that time, the Post Commissioners had NO input into the business of the PCAA, as they had created an intergovernmental agreement previously. Nevertheless, Propeller did invite the 4 Post commissioners as a courtesy. (None accepted the invitation)
2.) The event was a show and tell and much like a trade show where Propeller told who and what they were all about. No contracts were negotiated, no money changed hands, no liquor was served, no hookers were provided. (Which may be WHY the 4 Post commissioners didn't go?)
3.) A week or 10 days following that seminar event, the PCAA had a regular scheduled meeting and decided to enter into a business relationship with Propeller.
4.) This is where the fabrications and lies begin. Immediately after that PCAA board meeting, Dave Carmichael called Todd Pownall as a courtesy to tell him of the PCAA's action. Pownall did not answer, and Dave left him a voice mail telling him that an action had been taken and that he should go onto the PCAA's website and look at the minutes. [NOW, I know this
because I stood in Dave Carmichael's kitchen while I was there doing a glass repair on their entryway. Dave looked me in the eye and told me what I just wrote above. Lou, his wife, was standing next to him when this all occurred. I don't know about you, but I damn sure wouldn't be telling anybody a lie while my better half was standing right there.]
5.) Business continued as it did surrounding the airport for the next few months. There was nothing to report and Propeller was doing whatever they were doing under the radar, no pun intended.
6.) Whenever some FAA certification (Part 139) that was requested by Propeller as part of their development plans became public, a small group of CAVE people (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) began their opposition to "commercialization". And the rumors and fairy tales began to run rampant. Pownall denied any knowledge of the Propeller contract. I firmly believe that he did so to cover his own ass because he ignored Dave Carmichael's phone message. I have been told, and can't positively substantiate it, that David Austin also sent Pownall (and the other 3 Post comissioners) an email notifying them of the Propeller deal.
7,) The PCAA's vote on the deal with Propeller was 9-0. That included both city's mayors, the President of the Chamber, the Commission Chairman, and 5 other board members who had been appointed to the PCAA BY the County Commission....And most of those 5 were Shearin appointees, BTW.
Given the way the economy has tanked and the personal behavior of Brett Smith, I'm pretty sure that none of the 9 PCAA board members would repeat the deal.
There was NEVER any attempt to certify SCF for handling Airbus 320's and the like. The intention was to get a small feeder service with 25-50 seat aircraft doing flights to regional hubs.
What none of the CAVE people understand about the 139 Certificate is that it is merely an "approval" by the FAA that the facilities (runway, terminal, security, lighting, etc.) is up to standards that are required for passenger service. It does not mean that such service will ever occur, given the economics of the industry. What could happen is that UPS or FedEx or DHL or "whoever" could build a cargo facility adjoining SCF and fly cargo planes in and out of SCF WITHOUT the Part 139 Cert.
So, enough about what is really a NON issue. The whole thing is in court and basically out of the voter's hands. I have read the lawsuits that have been filed, and I would be stunned if any judge overturns the PCAA and PCIBA. The 4 sitting Post commissioners are gonna lose. And cost the taxpayers big bucks in doing so.
So, the current race is a conservative Dave Carmichael vs 3 RINOS, who are basing their campaigns on a fabricated non-issue.
I was AT the debate last Monday night. Virginia Galloway stood behind the podium and READ (without even looking up at the audience) her pre-prepared answers. Roger Leggett is Jerry Shearin personified. And Robbie Dobson? If you like illiterate country-boy hicks, he's your man. Carmichael has the education, the honesty, and the experience.
Running on "NO Commercialization" is not a reason to support a candidate. This county has a budget of $135 Million, lots of employees, and an infrastructure to support. Carmichael has handled big budgets, he is a retired Marine Colonel, and a graduate of Vandy's civil engineering program.
And lastly, he's a good guy and not an egomaniac.
