By Tim Keith
AV Services, the company that has operated Padgham Airfield, notified the Allegan City Council that it will not be able to provide the services the city desires at the airport in the future.
The company officially closed its doors Dec. 31.
City manager Rob Hillard said the letter marked the close of AV Services' operation as the airport's fixed-base operator.
"In light of the impending changes, I want to make sure it is clear, they decided they are no longer continuing as the fixed-base operator," Hillard said.
He noted that an inspection of the airport by the city revealed that the company's equipment and presence was "substantially gone," though he acknowledged that the company's employees were still at the airport in some capacity.
AV Services spokesperson Vickie Heckman disagreed with that characterization.
"That's not true," she said. "I'm here; I've been here every day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m."
Heckman explained that although the company was closed, the company's two workers, she and owner Jason Blair, were still at the airport providing the same services.
"We have not left the premises," she said. "We have not walked away from any responsibilities."
She noted that the company's planes had been confiscated by its bank when it seized the assets of AV Services and its flight school Sept. 10.
AV Services has been in the process of repaying approximately $134,000 in back taxes and fees to the IRS.
It has been able to pay off approximately $100,000 of the debt, according to Heckman.
Neither Heckman nor Blair have been paid while the company is seeking to pay back its debts.
In a letter, Blair informed the city it will not be able to fulfill the city's desires for services provided at the airport due to a lack of financial resources.
"At this time, AV Services and Jason Blair are unable to commit to redevelopment of the FBO services at the airport," the letter reads. "The committed financier to do this intended activity has not proven to be able to provide funds to date, and no current commitment of timing to do so have been provided."
The letter does not mention a discontinuation of current services, though Blair said he would be willing to help facilitate a transition.
The city council authorized Hillard to seek a new one-year contract with a fixed-base operator for the airport at its Dec. 12 meeting.
The decision followed the laying-off of the mechanic at the airport, something AV Services has said is not irregular during the winter. An on-call mechanic was made available as needed.
The full-time mechanic was the last of three primary services at the airport to close.
The city is currently forming a plan to purchase fuel pumps to supply fuel; it already owns the fuel-storage tanks at the airport.
Hillard said he is in contact with three potential operators; the city is seeking a one-year contract to provide services at the airport while it seeks a long-term solution.
In other business, the council approved two ordinances and two municipal policy changes, which, among other things, remove bans on firearms in city parks and cemeteries.
The ban had been at odds with the state's concealed weapons law.
Editor's note: As it appeared in print in the Jan. 12 issue, the above story contained two errors--corrected above--relating to when the flight school was foreclosed and why. The Allegan County News regrets the errors.
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