ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A local investigation into issues at the Delta County Airport will be turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Following manager Robert Ranstadler’s report of an “administrative crisis” at the airport in December, the Delta County Board of Commissioners voted to have its hired attorney, Scott Graham, conduct an investigation into the issue. The investigation continued after Ranstadler told the board the airport was “out of crisis mode” in February.
At Tuesday’s Commission meeting, board members went into a closed session. When they returned before the public, Chair David Moyle announced the board’s possible next steps.
“We have before us three options,” he said. “Option A would be to do nothing. Option B would be to bring suit, civil suit, against the previous airport manager. Option C would be to simply refer this on to the FAA for further investigation in their consideration.”
Each commissioner had an opportunity to comment on the options, with Moyle stating, “I don’t support doing anything retributive. Moving the county forward and making sure we have what we need, in essence, comes down to protecting the entity. Getting somebody back or trying to make somebody’s life miserable, that is not part of protecting the entity, so I for one do not support bringing suit against Andrea Nummilien.”
“We need to protect both the airport and the county,” Commissioner Steven Viau agreed, making a motion to turn the investigation over to the FAA. Viau’s motion was supported by Commissioner Robert Petersen.
The board voted unanimously in favor of turning the investigation over to the FAA, as recommended by Graham. When asked for comment on the vote, Ranstadler told WZMQ 19, “The Airport has nothing to add at this time.”
