Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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Wednesday, June 18, 2003 |
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PTC authority sacks Falcon Field manager By JOHN MUNFORD
Following a process that was clearly not his choice, longtime Peachtree City Falcon Field Airport Manager Jim Savage signed an agreement Monday to "retire" at the end of the year. The agreement was not sought by Savage but instead by a three-member majority of the airport authority that wants the airport to "go in a new direction." That was in essence the only reason given to the public for the booting of Savage during a public meeting Monday afternoon. The agreement has been hammered out in secret recently after Savage's future role with the airport was questioned by several authority members during several closed session discussions, according to authority members. The matter was not made public until an emotional meeting Monday afternoon that featured several airport tenants and pilots questioning the authority's tactics. Authority members Jerry Cobb and Doug Fisher strongly opposed the ouster of Savage but said they supported the agreement because it provides some financial security for Savage, who was credited with making Falcon Field what it is today. The three other authority members, Jim Toombs, Matt Davis and Cathy Nelmes, voted in favor of the agreement, which stipulates Savage will work full-time until Sept. 30 and then at least 25 hours a week until his final day Dec. 31, all at his current salary. Savage will also receive a payment of $10,000 a year for four years beginning in January as a sort of severance package, according to the agreement. Savage had been working without a contract, and several authority members indicated that he could have been fired with no compensation whatsoever if the authority voted to do so. While Savage has done a good job as the airport chief, Nelmes said the majority of the authority wants the role of airport manager to change from being purely operational in nature to having more to do with marketing, business development and "public outreach." Nelmes, Toombs and Davis said they have discussed the matter at length in several closed sessions and even after hearing the appeals from several airport tenants and pilots they still would not change their mind. Toombs and Davis made very brief comments to support their position, relying on Nelmes to communicate their rationale for the decision. Several speakers asked the authority to list the offenses for which Savage should be let go. Nelmes said there were none specifically, but the authority wanted to "go in a new direction." City officials were not behind the move, and the authority has not chosen someone to replace Savage once his retirement becomes official, Nelmes said. "I do see a need for a change, and it's going to be difficult," Nelmes said. "... We have given this a lot of thought and are not taking this lightly." Davis said it was "a tough decision" and he admitted the authority couldn't say anything on the matter that would please the pro-Savage audience. Fisher and Cobb took an opposing viewpoint, however. "... I've got a real problem with the process that got us to this point," Fisher said. "I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not support the release of Mr. Savage from his duties," Cobb said. "... I salute Mr. Savage for conducting himself in a professional and dignified manner throughout this process. I commend him for his loyalty, his ethics and his unselfish dedication to having been the driving force in making Peachtree City-Falcon Field the very best general aviation airport that I have been associated with in any capacity." Retired Air Force General Bob Patterson, a former chairman of the airport authority, also opposed the ouster of Savage. "I've got to stand up and say you guys are making a terrible mistake," Patterson said, echoing several others who praised Savage for running a top-notch airport and fuel sales operation. He added, as did others, that Savage should have an opportunity to have his performance reviewed and if it is deemed unsatisfactory he should have a chance to improve his performance before he is terminated. Savage declined comment on the situation on advice of his attorney, Rick Lindsey. Several sources confirmed that Savage had prepared a written statement but authority officials told him not to release it. A portion of the "retirement agreement and general release" stipulates that Savage "will not make, or cause to be made, defamatory statements regarding the authority, its executives, employees or customers." Nelmes said the authority would continue to run Falcon Field as it is now with its "excellent infrastructure." "We will not lose sight of that," Nelmes said. The agreement was approved with Fisher voting against and Cobb abstaining from the vote to approve the retirement agreement. Nelmes, Davis and Toombs voted in favor. Savage is a former pilot for Eastern Airlines and served on the Peachtree City Council during the 1980s.
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