In its annual 2014-2015
published report, the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury found no fault with
the Oakdale Airport or its operation with the exception of a minor issue that
involved a segment of fencing being too low.
The report stated they received
a citizen’s complaint regarding the management of the airport citing issues
extending back more than a decade. Matters cited in the complaint were poor
maintenance, favoritism toward the “major tenant,” restriction in allowing new
tenants, safety and security and not utilizing FAA funds to maintain the
airport.
The safety and security issues
were defined as lighting, obsolete entrance gates, no security cameras and
inadequate perimeter fencing.
Last September, the Grand Jury
made a formal request to the City of Oakdale for records pertaining to the
operation and maintenance of Oakdale Municipal Airport.
At the time City Manager Bryan
Whitemyer said he welcomed the inquiry to be transparent.
The Grand Jury visited the
airport and had various discussions with Whitemyer and a facilities engineer
concerning the condition of the airport and the steps that were being taken to
address the complaints. Members also reviewed the airport’s grant agreements
and FAA regulations.
The only safety concern was the
height of the airport entrance fence.
As a result of its
investigation the Grand Jury report stated it did not find any discrepancies in
financial records from 2012 to 2014 and there was no indication of favoritism
among tenants.
The report did state an FAA
investigation of the same concerns was still pending.
“The city appreciates the grand
jury’s thorough review of the city's management of the airport,” said Whitemyer
when contacted about the results. “The city is committed to continue improving
the airport to better serve our community.”
Whitemyer added that the city
has already city is developed a plan to make the needed improvements to the
airport entrance fence.
“The Grand Jury didn’t
investigate this properly,” said Bill Bradford, a tenant and past vocal critic
of the airport’s management. “The report misses the maleficence of Sierra West
(Airlines).”
“The site visit included
discussions with the major tenant of the airport facilities,” the report
states. “The major tenant provided a tour of their occupied areas, some of
which they had recently renovated for pilot training and technician training.”
“Sierra West hasn’t done real
maintenance in the building,” Bradford said. “I’ve been told and seen one
thing, they told the Grand Jury one thing, and others are being told another.”
Bradford explained that he
feels Sierra West Airlines is not being totally operated as an aviation
oriented business, stating there were up to 13 other non-aeronautical related
businesses being operated at the Oakdale facility.
Bradford is hoping the FAA’s
letter will identify what he classified as “real issues” wrong with the airport
and feels the letter will be coming soon.
June 25, 2015
Oakdale
Leader
Richard
Paloma
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