Airport Working On Future Special Events Policy
By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Warsaw Municipal Airport will soon have a policy in place highlighting expectations for groups that seek to use the airport property for special events.
Recent plans for a cancer benefit caught some aviation board members off-guard Tuesday, Oct. 11.
The fundraiser – Flight 4 The Fight – is a day-long event set for Saturday, Oct. 15, with the goal of raising money for “Rochelle Devenney and other families battling sarcoma cancer.”
Airport Manager Nick King said the plans came together quickly and that he anticipated some concern from the board.
The board meets monthly and plans for the event first surfaced less than three weeks ago, King said.
The board has been sensitive to the use of airport property for special events after an incident a few years ago in which part of a runway was easily accessible.
Possibly the most irksome aspect was that posters promoting Saturday’s event were seen by city and aviation officials before the board had a chance to approve plans.
Board President Jay Rigdon stressed that the board needs to sign off on such plans well ahead of time.
“This is a ‘Hey, we’re going to use your property’ – I’m not keen on that,” Rigdon said. “I’m keen on them bringing this to our attention long before four days prior to the (event).”
“I don’t want to stand in the way of this happening, but I don’t want this to happen again,” Rigdon said.
Nobody at the meeting spoke against the plan or purpose and then approved it, and King provided a detailed plan for the event.
King offered to develop a policy on the issue and others agreed.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said that it’s important to have more lead time in the future.
A new policy could be patterned after one used by the city for street festivals, he said.
Board member Gene Zale pointed out that some decisions need quick attention and that King was just doing his job.
In another matter, King said he’s looking into the board hiring an attorney who specializes in aviation. No action was taken. The board has previously contracted for legal services involving aviation issues.