ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tuesday evening, the manager of the Delta County Airport addressed the County Board of Commissioners, just two months after his initial report to the board that the airport had entered an “administrative crisis.”
“It is with great relief that I can share with all of you tonight that this is no longer the case,” airport manager Robert Ranstadler told the commissioners.
Ranstadler detailed the work he and airport staff did to correct Federal Aviation Administration compliance issues, like compiling approximately 600 pages of previously missing or incomplete documents. Although out of crisis mode, he says there are still problems to address, including the fuel truck’s “constant need” for repairs, as well as the non-collection status of the airport’s Passenger Facility Charge account, which he expects to regain collection status within 60 days.
“The airport is very much in a race against time to prepare for our next inspection,” he said. “Yet, I am optimistic that with a lot of hard work and dedication, we will maintain compliance and meet our training and maintenance obligations.”
Following Ranstadler’s report, Commissioner Steven Viau made a motion to halt the ongoing investigation by the board’s hired attorney, Scott Graham, into issues at the airport until an internal county audit can be done.
“Just to save the county some money and give him more freedom to continue moving forward the way he has been so graciously,” Viau said.
However, Commissioner Robert Petersen pushed back. He also cited public letters and social media posts calling for action to be taken against Ranstadler.
“We were damn near in a position to have our airport shut down and, if not, fined,” he said. “We have a gentleman that came in, took control…put us on the right track, has visions for our future for the airport, and certain factions of this community want him fired, and if not fired, they want to pile on him so that he quits. I think it’s the most disgusting thing that I have ever seen.”
Board Chairman David Moyle said the investigation is a preventative measure.
“We can set up policy based on what he finds out to make sure that this never happens again,” he said.
The motion did not pass, with only Viau and Commissioner John Malnar supporting it.
