Griffiss: Private or Public Airport?

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Griffiss: Private or Public Airport?

WKTV News

Story Created: Aug 27, 2008 at 6:55 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 28, 2008 at 9:59 AM EST

ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) -  Oneida County Legislators will undertake a controversial vote that will decide the future of Griffiss International Airport Wednesday night. 

The question county lawmakers will answer:  Will the airport be public, or private?
  
A deal has been struck and paperwork is drawn up so if the lawmakers approve privatization,  'Million-Air' will be in charge of the airport within a month or so.
  
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. says privatization is the way to go.  "To save money for the taxpayers, to increase revenue on our fuel sales and other aspects of the airport and hangars and other rents and in the long run will be a great economic catalyst for growth at that airport as well as saving the taxpayers money."

Legislative minority leader Michael Henessey has expressed concerns about past dealings of the entity who is seeking to run the airport.

***UPDATE (August 27, 2008  8 p.m.)***: The Oneida County Legislature voted 19 to 8 Wednesday night to sign a contract with a private entity called MillionAir that will take over operation of the county airport.

Officials say they will now be in charge of the airport within a month.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says this is the first step in re-inventing the airport, and that the county is looking forward to the take over process, because he says MillionAir is a proven company.

"I can't say enough about those legislators who saw the foresight, who saw the vision that this is the way to go forward, that this is a good move for all of Oneida County and for the tax payers," said Picente.

 

 

The county executive says there should be some kind of movement at the airport by late September.

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Friday, Aug 29 at 12:13 PM Yes wrote ...

They are called "We B Planes"

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 3:44 PM look at their website? wrote ...

It's a franchise.....like a subway or quiznos. you boneheads.

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 11:58 AM Ray Nubz wrote ...

Ray Durso For Mayor

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 10:44 AM The Oneida County Legislature wrote ...

finally did something, they will now vote to give themselves a raise

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 10:03 AM Blah Blah Blah wrote ...

So now that the County is going to save all this money, do you think Oneida County will finally agree on contracts with it's employee's who have been working without a contract for two years? No you're right, all the talk of keeping and employing people in our County is just talk. What a joke. So Anthony what family member are you going to give a job to now?

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 10:00 AM F Burlin wrote ...

I was in da Navy! Bring back da flying boats! What did ya say??

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 8:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

OPEN IT TO THE PUBLIC BRING BACK THE AIR SHOW

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 8:35 AM Wow wrote ...

Who cares??? This WILL NOT bring any new revenue(unless their own pockets)This will not cause any new growth so WHO CARES!

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 6:25 AM JIM wrote ...

bring back the AIR FORCE

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Thursday, Aug 28 at 4:52 AM Former USAF wrote ...

As it was with Griffiss in '94 after the BRACC team closed us down; if our legislators continue to delay (as is the norm) for nonsensical reaons, we'll lose the airport too. These idiots never, ever, learn. Ain't that right RoAnn? And you too Joe, and Mike. Same tune, different day.

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Wednesday, Aug 27 at 11:44 PM Yourkidding wrote ...

So, what's in it for the Oneida County Legislators?

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Wednesday, Aug 27 at 7:37 PM jay22 wrote ...

bring back the B 52's, this is just small stuff

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