Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 18, 1990 TAG: 9007180569
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Herbert was chosen for another one year term as chairman over county Supervisor Bob Johnson, who was elected vice chairman.
The city's three representatives on the commission voted for Herbert and the county's two members voted for Johnson. Herbert and Johnson voted for themselves.
Dick Robers, chairman of the county supervisors and a commission member, and Johnson both said that the city's representative lost a "golden opportunity" to send a message to county voters that the city is sincerely interested in cooperating with the county.
Johnson has been a member of the commission since it was created.
Robers, who nominated Johnson for chairman, said he thought the decision might have a negative impact on the consolidation vote among some county voters.
Johnson said he thought the city's representatives missed an opportunity to show that the airport is "truly a regional facility" and that the city is willing to cooperate with the county.
"A lot of county voters were watching this and it could have an effect on the consolidation referendum," Johnson said. "The city has never been provided a more timely opportunity to show that they were willing to work with the county and that all egos had been removed from the operation of the airport."
The city owned and operated the airport alone until three years ago when it agreed to create a regional commission with Roanoke County to jointly own and operate the airport.
The city has hoped that other localities in the region would join the commission. Johnson said he thinks the vote on the chairmanship provided an opportunity for the city to show other localities that it doesn't want to dominate the airport operation.
Herbert, who has been chairman of the commission since it was created, said he didn't realize that any county commissioners wanted to be chairman until the issue was raised at today's meeting.
Herbert, who also had been re-elected on a 3-2 vote once previously, said he had four goals when he became chairman: develop a master plan for the airport, construct a new terminal, attract three jet carriers to the airport and develop a general aviation plan for the facility.
He said that the first three goals have been accomplished and he hopes that the fourth - development of a general aviation plan - can be completed by the time his next term expires in 1991.
On a related matter the commission received a draft copy of the general aviation plan today from Executive Director Jacqueline Shuck. The commission will receive comments on the plan in the next several weeks and hold a meeting in early September to receive reaction to it.
by CNB