Airport board standoff resolved

PORT CLINTON — The standoff between Erie and Ottawa counties over the composition of the local airport board has been resolved, apparently clearing the way for new construction projects to be carried out. Last week, Erie County commissioners named businessman Jerry Guerra to the board for Erie-Ottawa International Airport, to a position that's appointed jointly by the two counties. Ottawa County commissioners had previously approved Guerra. Then on Monday, Erie County's commissioners reappointed four board members: Rob Quinn, Jonathan Merckens, Tim King and Dave Foster. That brings the board back up to full strength, nine members. Erie County's commissioners had been arguing that subsidies should end for airport operations, although they pledged to keep providing matching funds for airport improvement grants. They had resisted making airport board appointments until an agreement could be reached on the joint appointment. Guerra, who couldn't immediately be reached for comment, lives in Erie County but has business interests in both counties: Guerra is president and CEO of LogistiQ and the owner of Lewco Inc. A longtime pilot, he owns a Cirrus SR22T airplane he keeps in a hangar at the airport, located in Ottawa County near Port Clinton. Ottawa County's commissioners named Guerra on May 22, but Erie County's commissioners did not immediately act on the matter. Matt Old, one of Erie County's commissioners, said the commissioners met with Guerra in a commission meeting and decided to appoint him after a productive discussion. Old said the commissioners shared with Guerra that they want the airport to take a businesslike approach. For example, leases for airport hangars should be written to allow for reasonable increases in what's charged, Old said, rather than keeping the same lease terms in place for years. Some airport hangar leases have become such a bargain, boats have been stored in them, Old said. "We want to stop those practices, and I think we have," Old said. Guerra, a businessman, seemed to understand the commissioners' concerns, Old said. "He didn't make any promises to us," Old said. "We think, going forward, the airport is going to be in a really strong position." Community leaders who had spoken out on Guerra's behalf included Dick Brady, ex officio mayor for Sandusky's city commission. Brady said Tuesday he is pleased Guerra was appointed. "Jerry Guerra was always the perfect pick, if you take politics out of the equation," Brady said. The lack of a quorum on the airport board had held up Liberty Aviation Museum's plans to build a 12,000-square-foot third hangar, a project that's supposed to cost nearly $2 million. Ed Patrick, CEO of the museum, said he's pleased that progress has been made. A formal lease has to be approved by the airport board before work can move forward, Patrick said. He said he's not sure yet how long that will take. Old said other airport hangar projects are also in the works. The next regular meeting of the airport board is on June 25.