In a meeting that was quicker than it normally takes to check luggage, the Twin County Airport Commission unanimously accepted the resignation of manager Tim Spreen.
Spreen had submitted his resignation by email on Wednesday, Nov. 9 to board chairman Jim Pearson. At the meeting of the commission on Nov.10, Pearson read the note into the record:
“Twin County Airport Commissioners: Please accept this as my letter of resignation as the Twin County Airport manager effective 11/9/2011 at 12:00 p.m.
“Be assured, I will not un-resign in the days to come.
“Thank you for the opportunity and respect that have made my 2 years and 10 months an enjoyable experience.
“Sincerely, Timothy K. Spreen”
The Nov. 10 meeting was originally called to discuss renewing Spreen’s contract. Prior meetings of the commission wrangled with the oft-times contrasting open meeting laws of Wisconsin and Michigan.
Word was received on Tuesday, Nov. 8, that Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hass had worked out agenda language that allowed the commission to enter into closed session to deliberate the contract.
With Spreen’s resignation now, little remained on the agenda to discuss so the meeting was adjourned barely after 10 minutes.
Commissioner James Furlong made the motion to accept the letter of resignation and to send out a letter to Spreen on behalf of the commission thanking him for his service and wishing him good luck in the future. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ted Sauve.
Commissioner Dale Berman said the commission “had no option other than to accept the letter.”
Pearson said he had talked to Spreen about the disadvantages of his timing, as the resignation was without notice. Commissioner John Hartz was far more critical … not of Spreen, but of some of his fellow commissioners. He said, “I think Tim was frustrated by the way he has been treated by several members of this board. This has been going on for two and a half years and they finally got their way and I’m very disappointed in this board.”
Spreen was not present at the meeting.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Everett Anderson, a pilot, said, “The taxpayers of Menominee and Marinette County have lost one of the better managers that we have ever had. Not only was he a professional aircraft mechanic, but he was a professional in what he did.”
Commissioner Nick Lakari looked to the future of the airport. His concern was filling the vacancy and suggested that maybe Menominee County could take a lead role in finding a replacement since employees of the airport are considered Menominee County employees. He also asked if the airport keys and other airport property had been secured and Pearson answered the question in the affirmative.
Berman questioned if procedures were in place to help with snowplowing and other tasks. He felt that both counties could help in that regard. Further, he stated, “There’s a more immediate problem - we have one lineman at this time of year. To put this on to one lineman - have we got somebody available?”
Pearson felt that the commission could hire a temporary person if warranted. He also offered to contact the counties about the situation.
Dave Arndt, a Menominee resident, questioned Spreen’s timing. “I think Mr. Spreen could have been the nicest guy in the world, but I think there could have been a little more professionalism, when he quit so soon. I don’t think a manager should do that.” He further suggested putting something into the job description for manager something to prevent it from happening in the future.
In the one other item brought up during the meeting, Sauve informed the board he has spoken with Wisconsin Congressman Reid Ribble’s office about finding an aircraft to put on display by the airport entrance. Sauve stressed the phrase “at little or no cost.”
After the meeting, Pearson said he would contact the Federal Aviation Administration and the Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics to see if there were requirements for a minimum level of staffing and where to go from here.
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