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When Will County Release Information About The Airport?

Gilmer County Aviation has closed and stopped operating the airport as of March 31st. FYN reported on March 13th that Nancy Isom, owner of Gilmer County Aviation, told us her last day of operations would be March 31st. We also spoke with Hammerhead Aeronautical LLC, who subleases from Isom, and they told FYN that Isom let them know her last day was March 31st.Isom sent Gilmer County legal notice that she wanted to terminate her lease. We spoke to Jim Smith, the county airport liaison, and he would not comment because it was a legal matter. However he assured us that the airport would remain open and that the county has a plan.

Since our last report FYN has asked the Commissioners on two different occasions about the airport in the presence of the county attorney. The county attorney advised them not to comment due to legal issues.

So on Monday April 2nd FYN went out to the airport to see if it was open. A representative from Gilmer Aviation was there but not on Isom’s direction. We asked who they worked for and were told, “I’m not sure, I don’t even know why I’m here.” FYN returned to the airport on Tuesday and a representative from Hammerhead Aeronautical was there but not in any official role of running the airport. So we paid another visit on Thursday to find the door locked and the sign said closed. When we knocked, a representative from Hammerhead came and unlocked the door. He told me that Jim Smith had to come out when people needed their planes or when someone needed fuel. He was waiting for Smith to arrive because a plane was coming in soon.

Isom is in default on the lease. Lawyers from both parties are trying to resolve this so the airport can be opened back up full time as required by the FAA. This situation should not have been a surprise to the County since there have been rumors that Isom was getting ready to walk and it was common knowledge that the Gilmer County Aviation had been struggling financially. When Smith presented the 2012 airport budget last year he gave no indication there were any issues. When asked by one commissioner about rumors of problems at the airport Smith responded he knew Isom was struggling, but it was due to the economy. He did not know to what extent.

FYN will continue to seek answers on when the County will release information on how they plan to run the Airport with Isom gone? When will the county do a budget amendment to pay for operating the airport? What responsibility will the county airport liaison have in this? Why didn’t Smith work to have this resolved months in advance? FYN awaits the County’s response with its plan of resolution in this matter.