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Harris passed over for Airport Authority seat

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City resident Hollis Harris, former Delta Airlines president and later CEO of World Airways, was snubbed for a vacant seat on the city’s Airport Authority, and two city councilmen said they think the decision of the selection committee was a mistake.

Councilman Steve Rapson noted Harris’ vast airport experience as he read a statement Thursday night opposing the decision. Although Rapson sought Harris’ approval to nominate him for the position despite the committee’s decision, Harris declined but offered to help in the future, Rapson noted.

“His talent for managing and understanding the airline business is legendary and would be a tremendous asset to the Airport Authority and to Peachtree City,” Rapson said. “When we have citizens of Mr. Harris’ caliber offer their time and experience to serve in a volunteer position on any of our authorities or commissions, we need to embrace them with open arms.”

Rapson added that he didn’t want to “diminish the value” that appointee Gregory J. Carroll will bring to the authority, and that he heard Carroll too is an excellent candidate for the position. Councilman Murray Weed said he concurred with Rapson’s opinion.

Mayor Steve Brown and Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford, who served on the selection committee with City Manger Bernie McMullen and Airport Authority Chairman Jerry Cobb, said the committee’s decision was correct.

Brown noted that Harris has business plans that will likely take him out-of-state, and Brown thought it was important to choose someone who had plenty of time to deal with airport issues.

Rapson said he wants to strongly urge the airport authority to take Harris up on the offer for assistance in the future.

Carroll is a quality program manager for Delta Airlines and is versed in working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. The FAA has oversight over Falcon Field and funnels grant funds to the Airport Authority for airport projects.

Carroll replaces former authority member Cathy Nelmes and will serve out her term that expires Dec. 31, 2008.