Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Vermilion Regional Airport (KDNV) personnel changes continue

As the Vermilion Regional Airport continues to search for a new manager, other personnel changes have been made.

Interim manager Rod Hightower said there have been five applicants for airport manager, with four of them qualified to be considered.

Interviews have occurred with candidates.

Hightower said the one who is well qualified, who lives outside of Illinois, is “a little expensive.”

There were to be discussions with the board.

Other restaffing has occurred with the airport.

Office Manager/Assistant Airport Manager Sheryl Tingley has resigned.

Hightower said Tingley’s position has been eliminated.

It now will be an office administrator position to answer phones and meet with people. This will be a part-time position.

The bookkeeping part of the former office manager position will be outsourced, Hightower said.

Doug Hardy is now the full-time maintenance manager and John Brumfield is part-time in maintenance.

Hightower said the airport will hire the right manager candidate as soon as possible. A timeline is based on the candidate chosen and availability too.

Hightower said it’s hard for many organizations to find employees right now.

“I’m done when the board is done with me,” Hightower said about serving as manager in the interim.

     
Alexandra (“Alex”) Gale

 
Alexandra "Alex" Gale passes out her letter of resignation to the Vermilion Regional Airport Authority.


Alex Gale prior to start of meeting.  


 Interim Director Rod Hightower reads list of allegations involving Gale.


Pilot Jeff Williams speaks in support of Alex Gale.  


Jake Majors speaks prior to submitting his resignation.

Crowd assembles prior to meeting.  

Pilot Larry Owen speaks.

Alexandra (“Alex”) Gale
~

Suspended Vermilion Regional Airport Manager Alex Gale resigned during the public comment portion of a special Airport Authority Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday afternoon.  Gale then immediately left with family and friends saying she had no comment at this time.  Also resigning prior to that was airport mechanic Jake Majors.  At the start of the meeting, Interim Airport Director Rod Hightower read a list of allegations that he said led to Gale’s suspension, stating that they were being read due to community interest and Freedom of Information Act requests by media sources.

Hightower’s explanation included the stated numbers of 24 documented policy violations and seven safety violations.  A specific item mentioned by Hightower included allegations of a September 8th incident that involved driving a non-airport vehicle on an airport runway, with a non-Airport Authority person on board, at a high rate of speed and after drinking alcohol.  There were various public speakers who were positive and negative towards Gale; and some spoke with us during Executive Session.

Pilot Jeff Williams believes Alex Gale was hit by a bunch of allegations without proof, and that the board is at fault for their actions.

One public comment speaker, citing himself as a longtime veteran of the Vermilion Regional Airport, Bill Iver, stated while speaking that those who think they know Alex Gale need to, quote, “revisit that.”  When asked what he meant afterwards, he simply stated that the media needs to be like Paul Harvey and find “the Rest of the Story.”

Plane and balloon pilot Larry Owen felt that regardless of any mistakes by Gale, the Airport Authority Board’s way of handling it, and bringing in an outsider as interim director, was not good.

After Executive Session the board officially accepted Gale’s and Majors’ resignations.  It was also mentioned during the meeting that Interim Director Hightower has been earning $2,800 per day since he was installed October 1st, with the work including the investigations involving Gale.  Now that the resignation has occurred, the Board stated that Hightower will now be earning $1,200 per day.  The Board also stated that no taxpayer money is being used to pay Hightower’s salary during his time as interim director.  The Airport Authority consists of Steve Foster, Craig Davidson, Chairman Jonathan Myers, Gardner Peck, and Joe Vincent.


Rod Hightower, middle, takes notes at the special Vermilion Regional Airport Authority board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday.


Alexandra (“Alex”) Gale
~

DANVILLE, Illinois (WCIA) — Shake up at the Vermilion Regional Airport Tuesday afternoon, both the manager and maintenance manager quit their jobs during a special board meeting. 

Alex Gale, the now-former airport manager, was suspended about two weeks ago.

On Tuesday during the afternoon meeting, the airport’s board laid out the accusations against her. 

She’s accused of 24 policy violations, including conduct standards with discipline violations, safety failures, ethical decisions, bullying, harassment and drinking while driving on an airport runway. 

Dozens were fired up at the meeting, all with a wide variety of opinions. 

Some supported Gale, others supported the board. Pilots said the future feels unclear. 

The interim manager, Rod Hightower is filling Gale’s position. He read her accusations at the beginning of the meeting. 

Hightower said on September 8, 2022, she was driving a non-airport vehicle with a non-airport authority employee on board at a high speed on a runway, after consuming alcohol. 

But now, after 21 months in the position, she’s out. 

“Please accept this as my formal resignation,” Gale said during the public comment section of Tuesday’s meeting.

“You have proven time and time again that I’m not a human being. I’m just an object that you can chew up and spit out and kick when I’m down,” she said to the board. 

Board members said there was witness testimony backing up the violations. 

“Ms. Gale has failed to meet acceptable standards of airport operation and management and leadership,” Hightower said. 

Gale’s mother was vocal during the meeting, upset with the board. Laughing during comments and yelling “shame on you” at times when members were talking. 

Hightower is a friend of someone on the board, he’s temporarily taking her place. He’s not from the area, leaving some people concerned. 

“He’s not given the best impression when he’s talked to people,” Larry Owen, a hot air balloon pilot, said. 

Jake Magers, the airport’s former maintenance manager, also quit at the meeting. 

“I want employee protection, I want safety in a workplace against retaliation, aggressive behavior intimidation, sexual harassment,” Magers said. 

He said he trusted Gale, but Hightower disrespected him this past week. 

Jeff Williams, a pilot, said he flies in and out of the airport often. He also supports Gale. 

“She’s been a really good manager for us,” he said. “She’s always been very good to work with, she’s incredibly knowledgeable.” 

But others are standing by the board. 

“As a pilot, I can’t condone drinking alcohol and driving a vehicle on a runway. I can’t do it, it’s not funny,” Kevin Davis, a pilot, said. 

Hightower will fill the position for now, they did not mention a timeline to fill Gale’s role.

110 comments:

  1. Sounds like a swell place to fly. IMSAFE anyone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The folks at Edgar County Watchdogs need to get involved and find the root driver of this. The Watchdogs had previously noticed that several board members were serving in violation of the law and were able to get them off the board. One of those got back on. No telling what is going on to justify flinging that big money to a "consultant" right now.

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    2. She was only there less than 2 years and did all sorts of crap. She refused faa required training for her and her employees after warnings. Seems she was the good ole boys club hiring the person she was/is having an affair with and hiding the background check on him that he is a convicted felon. Only reason he quit also is because he knew it would come out. She has a long list.

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    3. "...IMSAFE anyone?" Hmm, I feel terrible (the flu?), I haven't eaten since yesterday, my wife completely stressed me out, so I took some NyQuil, along with a shot of whiskey (to calm me a bit) and I haven't slept well in over a week, so I think I'll roll the airplane out of the hangar and go for a scenic flight = I am a general aviation private "pilot."

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    4. She has the same smile as the Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Makes you wonder…..

      Delete
  2. It sounds like the old boy's club didn't like a young lady taking charge of their playground.

    If she was making mistakes, then maybe a little bit of mentorship was in order? That's what you'd do if it was someone in your clan who made those same mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. >If she was making mistakes, then maybe a little bit of mentorship was in order? That's what you'd do if it was someone in your clan who made those same mistakes.

      That's what I thought too unfortunately. I mean, when they said driving on a runway at night, presumably with car lights on, I kinda shrugged... that sounds like an "excuse" to get rid of her and I'd bet the old guard did the same thing. I've done similar (but it was sanctioned, and was closed runway)...

      But then I read about the $$$ being stolen / wasted, and they need to drop the hammer. But it sounds like SHE wasn't the one spending that money??? What is going on, feds need to clean this place up.

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    2. Go Alex Gale's posts on facebook from early November. Really really sounds like she was ruffling the feathers of the good ol boys club and they didn't like it.

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  3. $2800/day?! Where do I sign up for that job? And not coming from taxpayer money sounds fishy.

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    Replies
    1. Not sure what's fishy about that. A lot of airports have to support themselves solely on airport revenue. This airport is owned by an airport authority. They don't collect taxes. They may receive some support from the city or county, but my guess is they're using their own funds to pay the interim manager.

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    2. I'd like that too, back in the 80's I was only getting about $300 a week as an assistant manager at a county airport.

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    3. "The county clerk’s office has reconnected 4,286 parcels to the airport tax."

      Reported in agenda item 15 of July Meeting minutes:
      https://www.vrairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Minutes-July-21-2022.doc

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    4. even with the reduction to 1200 per day---that's an equivalent salary of 300K a year for managing a regional airport? How ridiculous can you get?

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    5. >even with the reduction to 1200 per day---that's an equivalent salary of
      >300K a year for managing a regional airport? How ridiculous can you
      >get?

      Yeah just crazy. I'm an attorney in a moderate sized city and don't pull anywhere close to that. It really bothers me that people get a government job and instantly want to be "on the dole."

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    6. "Yeah just crazy. I'm an attorney in a moderate sized city and don't pull anywhere close to that. It really bothers me that people get a government job and instantly want to be "on the dole."

      Nothing new about that. Members of Congress as career politicians in Washington DC and at state levels of congress learned that easy gig 200 years ago.

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    7. Dang. Clearly I need to leave my profession and manage a civilian airport. $1200 a day? And I get to party in airport vehicles? A lot better deal than managing an aircraft carrier for sure.

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    8. If I was making $2800 a month; I would drag it on for years. Just like our Congress. I would have studies, and charts and graphs, Meetings, Secret meetings, maybe some graft and corruption along the way. Maybe buy off some politicians so I could keep the job for life.

      Delete
  4. The good ol' boy's system/club. There are not many of those around anymore. Attaboy!

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  5. $2800 a day? I wonder what Gale was making. Even after he settles in and he drops to $1200 a day it is still like winning the lottery. Seems like they could find a qualified individual for 100-150 thousand dollars per year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1200.00 per day (300K per year rate) is robbery. That definitely needs investigated.

      Delete
  6. $2,800.00 per day guaranteed contractual!?!
    Hightower's appearance - he overfed himself.
    Hightower mental capabilities - he should have retired decades ago!
    Vermilion Regional Airport Authority = Out of control. FAA, please step in!

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    Replies
    1. You shouldn't fat shame anyone, its' not nice !

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    2. I think the guy means the $$$$$ do not know what this "Rascal" looks like!

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    3. He's in the photo, as captioned.

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  7. Whatever happened to corrective action and written protocols at the airport? There should be a process of communicating with the employee to improve her unacceptable behavior or performance after other methods, such as coaching and performance appraisal, have not been successful. Corrective action may be appropriate if the airport manager has not made an improvement or if the behavior/unsatisfactory performance persists.

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  8. Folks have no idea how vindictive and corrupt airport boards are. Their MO is to fire someone for something political in nature, and then not release any information to the public. They then coerce the employee to sign an NDA/non-disparagement agreement in order to receive severance and not have their career ruined over it. Most take the hush money.

    I was generally a pro-government person before 10-years working in public airports.

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  9. Offered without comment: LinkedIn of who she was up against:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-hightower-577088b

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    Replies
    1. I would like to know how much $$$$ EAA pissed-away on him for 2 years?

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    2. $462,000 + another $43,000 in bonuses

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  10. These pansies would have never survived the 1970's and 80's. After hours drinking and messing around the airport was a regular occurrence as long as we kept away from the aircraft. Hangar parties were a monthly rite...

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    Replies
    1. I hear you. Friday night keg parties and drag racing on the runway. Happened all the time in the 80's and 90's at my home base.

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    2. and you wonder why no one worried when you buried your plane in the asphalt. Air jockey cowboys can be insufferable.

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    3. Not a drag racing crowd, if you look at the After Hours event pix:
      https://www.facebook.com/VermilionAdvantage/photos/pcb.5583684328354837/5583681298355140

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    4. 50 years later and still kicking and flying. The pussification of this country is staggering

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    5. IT WAS A RUNWAY INSPECTION! How else are you going to find out if the lights are working, Plus it was a ride along with a civilian, Cops do it all the time. Drinking? Did they do a blood test?
      PLEASE! it sounds like a Witch Hunt!

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  11. Here we have an airport board who believes they need to bring in an overpriced consultant to resolve some minor airport squabbling. Then the consultant gets use his new position to make a case for why his services are needed. What a racket.

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    Replies
    1. And he is friends with airport board members.

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    2. This is the way all executives play the game -SOP.

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  12. EAA learned about Hightower the hard way. Bet this Airport Authority does too.

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    Replies
    1. https://www.flyingmag.com/news-hightower-out-eaa-pelton-new-chairman/

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  13. Totally unrelated, merely coincidental activity occurring in parallel...
    https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Aero/Contracts/AER%20306%20Vermilion%20Co%20Planning.pdf

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  14. Article from June 2021:
    "In her free time, Alex and her husband enjoy Vermilion County’s parks and
    recreation, are active in the hot air ballooning community and pre-COVID frequently attended concerts. The couple’s son, David, turned one on
    March 1."


    https://www.vermilionadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/June-2021.pdf

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  15. Hightower is going to make Gale look like a bargain… the airport authority might not want to burn the bridge with her.

    ReplyDelete
  16. https://www.vrairport.com/ - You have to be kidding. It does not take a $2800/day hatchet man to manage this remote cornfield of an airport

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    Replies
    1. It’s a “red state” what happened to being fiscally conservative. What a crock of crap.

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    2. Since when is Illinois a red state? It's a Blue Dog Democrat state all the way there Bubba! Illinois aint even Purple!! It's a dark shade of Blue and is gonna stay that way forever!! Not even Trump or DeSantis could turn Illinois red!

      The current makeup of the House of Representatives in IL is 75 Democrat and 45 Republican. The current makeup of their Senate is a scant 18 Republicans and an overwhelming 41 Democrat State Senators. Why do the Republicans even bother running?

      Both Senators representing the State in US Congress, one of whom is a helicopter and fixed wing pilot and all-around amazing person, are Democrats. Unless she becomes Vice President Duckworth or President Duckworth, Senator Duckworth has a great ring to it.

      The Governor and LT Governor - Democrats.

      Mayor of the City of Danville is non partisan but HON Rickey Williams is a good person that leans Democrat.

      Sorry Bubba, but this state is staying Blue!

      Sources -
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_House_of_Representatives
      https://www.realclearpolitics.com

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  17. But, they said it is not public money paying Hightower. Well it is someone's. Perhaps the remaining board members ponyed up this cash. Now this gets interesting. There were allegations. And there may have been real violations but nothing proven. It seems allegations are good enough to splat anyone. Remember, spat goes around and gets all over everyone. If you drive a bulldozer into a silo the silo falls on you because of the low blow.

    It would have been interesting if Gale had delayed her resignation and Hightower continued to get into the (money source's) pockets for months. He is still getting a healthy stipend.

    You folks on the board poked the bear. See you in court.

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  18. I think she needs a good employment attorney. I wish her the best. These boards can create allot of problems for the public entity they represent. This all sounds outrageous the way it was handled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL...no she needs a new job and re-training.

      Delete
  19. Airport boards are sensitive to public perception of how the locally assessed airport tax monies are spent. Chances are good that the "no taxpayer money" assurance in this story regards that locally collected airport tax.

    The airport has projects listed for Federal/State grant monies under the airport improvement grant program. Consultants working for the sponsor can be paid on a per diem basis (and other arrangements) per section 4 of the circular linked below.

    This form shows eight projects for Vermillion under Illinois DOT totaling over 14 million dollars. None of the grant projects would require use of the locally collected airport tax:

    https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Aero/Contracts/AER%20306%20Vermilion%20Co%20Engineering.pdf

    Consultant Services for Airport Grant Projects circular:
    https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/150-5100-14e.pdf

    Main info source: (View the Consultant Selection tab):
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/local-transportation-partners/airport-sponsors/index

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Consultants can be paid under an AIP grant for a specific project. No way is the airport using AIP funds to pay this consultant to run the airport. That's not eligible.

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    2. The ALP Planning task has it's own $300K pot of money. FAA Circular allows one consultant to do multiple projects. Could a board go out on a limb and try to say that the Long Term Planning task included "fixing the manager problem"? Magic Money from elves sure isn't paying the new guy.

      Some consultant has to pick up that ALP Planning task's $300K:
      https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Aero/Contracts/AER%20306%20Vermilion%20Co%20Planning.pdf

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    3. I have managed multiple AIP planning projects. Scopes of work must be reviewed and approved. Invoices submitted for payment have to match work authorizations with planning consultants. 300k for an ALP update is nothing. "Fixing the manager problem" is not an eligible item that can be reimbursed.

      Delete
  20. sounds like political axe job not related to anything about aviation safety. airport managers arent safety managers the pilots of each aircraft are the safety managers. politics at airports is like a war zone where i live. he said she said stories fly like pidgeons

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  21. "Chances are good" doesn't mean F. Say that under oath and the objecting attorney will respond with "you Honor, the witness is speculating".

    The late Ross Perot said "follow the money trail and you will find the truth".

    That was truth.

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    Replies
    1. The post you responded about lays out the ongoing consultant circumstances using current ILDOT files, showing the obvious "follow the money trail" in this case. What a dope you are!

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    2. The money trail is this. Your Buddy Hightower is a high paid hatchet man (2) Whether the taxpayers agree with the Bubba Board or not, they are on the hook for what Bubba Board wants.

      Delete
  22. https://www.commercial-news.com/news/airport-projects-events-taking-off/article_2d52fa5e-5dae-11ec-a430-cbd2bdfd9d2b.html?fbclid=IwAR0r8rfCJeL88k0GEZnz-V2XeZXKLRlymZV5r6c3NEqvJC08UsD_KIsqGok

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    Replies
    1. Lots of parcel owners now on the hook for airport tax from bringing in over 6,000 additional parcels of land to the airport taxing district. A few vindictive ones can stir a lot of trouble.

      Delete
  23. https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2022/03/07/50637/?sc_ref=l.facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR3TxM_tsMcRGWoR6TTMK5YDCyvCrwXzlRHf2och94CdFPG0caftrRcUupo

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  24. Let's make sure Hightower reports the "salary" income to the Internal Revenue Service.

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  25. 2016 -- KDNV airport manager made $1,000/per week gross. Take-home pay is estimated at $900-925 after tax deductions, insurance, etc.

    October 2022 -- Hightower has been earning $2,800 cash per day. He will now be earning $1,200 cash per day.

    Hightower and Board Members = Sham!

    Cronyism

    http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2016/03/vermilion-regional-airport-kdnv.html

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  26. The new manager featured in the March 2016 KR posting was stepping in for Bob Gagnon as he retired after 30 years as the airport manager. He passed on in July of 2017. Sad that he only lived for a year in retirement, he would have been a great resource from his long experience there, which would have helped Alex Gale deal with whatever was going on. He was her stepfather.

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  27. Wow, there are some really serious 1st-world problems going on at this airport. Hopefully the $1200 to $2800 per day salary range will allow them to employ someone less willing to drive down the runway in a "non-airport" vehicle.
    Your airport will be in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ^ Do you understand the $1,200 and $2,800 per day monies are not for the airport manager? It's not a "salary range"! Instead, it's unreported cash payments handed to Interim Director Rod Hightower. These cash payments will not appear on the airport financial statements (P&L reports) or balance sheets - unless the cash payments are loans from board members and pilots. We are uncertain whether the cash payments were reported to the IRS.

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    2. They hand cash out? Big if true, where can that be read?

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    3. Cash is a method of payment.

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    4. Did Hightower get awarded the $300K ALP Update contract?

      Delete
  28. If no taxpayer funds are being used, it is off the books. I suggest the FAA do an audit investigation.
    "The Board also stated that no taxpayer money is being used to pay Hightower’s salary during his time as interim director."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Airports generate their own revenue. They don't have to use taxpayer funds.

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    2. The local airport tax described in the news accounts here disagree.

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    3. What is the "local airport tax"? Who is being taxed by the airport authority? Can someone explain? Some authorities do have ad valorem taxes on aircraft based at the airport. That's typical. I've seen other people say they have "property tax". The authority owns the airport property. They don't tax themselves.

      Delete
    4. Re: Airport tax, read here:

      "The county clerk’s office has reconnected 4,286 parcels to the airport tax."

      Reported in agenda item 15 of July Meeting minutes:
      https://www.vrairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Minutes-July-21-2022.doc

      Delete
    5. Commercial service airports do (raise enough money to be self sustaining). Or at least they did before the fed bailed them out with CARES Act funding. Only the busiest GA airports can hope to break even or squeak out a small operating profit. They're economic assets (i.e. facilitate other business in the community), not profit centers. When an airport says "tax dollars weren't used" what they mean is that local tax levies weren't applied - but that federal grants or some other source of also tax payer money picked up the bill.

      Delete
  29. You can’t make this stuff up!

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  30. typical 0f the national war going on. bureaucrats and their lamborginis versus the common working people. working people get a job bureaucrats get all the money

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lucky Rod … done found another teet.

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  32. The board hired Gale, out of 40 applicants, in January 2021, at a starting salary was $60,000. Her late father was former airport manager Bob Gagnon, who was manager for more than 30 years. Gale has an associate degree from Danville Area Community College and a bachelor's degree in air traffic management from Lewis University. Following graduation, she began her aviation career at FlightStar in Savoy as a dispatcher for the managed fleet of private jet aircraft based at Willard Airport. While at FlightStar, Gale also was the director of recruiting where she visited local aviation schools to speak to students about the aviation industry and helped build a pool of candidates for the various roles at FlightStar. In 2018, Gale was chosen as FlightStar's avionics manager. She also was president of the Illinois Aviation Trades Association, an organization that works closely with state officials and government organizations to better the aviation industry in Illinois. @ aviationpros.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. airport board politics....she should never have gotten the job. and neither should the clown that replaced her for a barrel of taxpayer money. And its ALL ultimately taxpayer money

      Delete
  33. Some interesting "numerology" here:
    Interim Director began 1 Oct, simultaneous with 45 day suspension of Dale.
    If Dale had not resigned, would the 45 days result in 45 X $2,800 spent?

    That would have been $126,000 spent on the interim guy while the HR process in the employee handbook timed out the 45 day suspension. That amount equates to 2 years at her salary.

    Not sensible for an interim contract to expend two years of a position's salary waiting 45 days to oust someone. And the $1,200 "reduced" interim per day pay, if based on 8 hour equivalent is $150/hr, which for 2080 hours in a work year is $312,000 salary to replace Dale's $66,000 salary.

    It gives the impression that she stood in the way of somebody's big plans.

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    Replies
    1. ^ I concur with your analysis.
      It gives the impression that she stood in the way of somebody's big plans.

      Delete
  34. She left a den of snakes. The den is still full of snakes.

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  35. It's a reasonable estimate that EAA flushed $400K just selecting Hightower. Lots more for his weekly commutes from Oshkosh to St Louis etc, etc.

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  36. Does anyone know why the maintenance manager resigned as well? A show of solidarity perhaps?

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    Replies
    1. She was only there less than 2 years and did all sorts of crap. She refused faa required training for her and her employees after warnings. Seems she was the good ole boys club hiring the person she was/is having an affair with and hiding the background check on him that he is a convicted felon. Only reason he quit also is because he knew it would come out. She has a long list.

      Delete
    2. More complete report linked below includes Magers expressing his reason during the meeting. That dogpile list in the 4:37PM comment might be what was claimed, but for such a dumpster load of offenses, any legit airport board could have dismissed her easily on their own without needing to involve an outsider until after she was gone.

      https://news.yahoo.com/suspended-airport-manager-resigns-board-035900010.html

      Delete
    3. Because he was having an affair with the woman that hired him who hid his felony convictions and knew it would all come out, so instead, he tried to make it out to be the board and interim managers fault. She didn’t follow a lot of rules and thought they didn’t apply to her (Gale).

      Delete
    4. Have to bring in specialized overpaid help to find a way when there isn't valid justification for dismissal. Good ole boy playbook method 101, similar to "she's a witch" in the Monty Python Holy Grail portrayal.

      Delete
  37. Some history on the airport tax and past board member irregularities:
    https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2021/10/video-vermilion-county-airport-authority-fixes-75-years-of-tax-inequities/

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    Replies
    1. Related:
      https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AG-Opinion-Airport-Authroity-COmmissioner-Disqualification-Aug-2018-61083-RM.pdf

      Delete
  38. I like her, I only see a breech in the 'select' players. Besides, when they open the meeting with the statement of, If God wanted women to fly, he would have made the sky pink'. Good execution by the local gentry.. I don't go along with the finger pointing hypocrits, but I do admire their collective resolve. Lewis Carrol, would be proud.."Off with their heads!"

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  39. Typical corrupt crooked little incestuous sand box or more like litter box.. If you want to scare the heck out of a bureaucrat use the word outside audit.

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  40. Found some payout info on EAA's 2011 Leadership Transition:

    "For the period ending 2/2012, Hightower was paid, individually, $482,815 -- comprising a base compensation of $346,672, with a bonus of $43,575 and other reportable compensation of $72,360, but may not comprise a full year's salary and other compensation."

    Link:
    http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=46cc760f-9ad9-419b-9345-5dec262deada

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  41. She was only there less than 2 years and did all sorts of crap. She refused faa required training for her and her employees after warnings. Seems she was the good ole boys club hiring the person she was/is having an affair with and hiding the background check on him that he is a convicted felon. Only reason he quit also is because he knew it would come out. She has a long list.

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    Replies
    1. ^ Repetitive troll post pushing affair/felon, no substantiation.

      Delete
    2. The felon is public information, the affair is public knowledge.

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    3. Public records for Jake Magers checked at an actual circuit court link shows old traffic citations, no criminal charges.
      https://www.vercounty.org/circuit-clerk/case-search/

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  42. I’d search again under legal name Jacob Magers, and what do you know he is trying to seal it when all this came out.

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    Replies
    1. All of the vercounty.org records show Jake, not Jacob. You will now have to add "His driver's license was fake and fooled the court system" to keep that smear alive.

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  43. Jacob A Magers
    Jake A Magers is the same person. Wanna wager it’s not?

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  44. I smell a rat, small town politics with the airport getting ripped off on interim wages.

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  45. Its been a couple of months now, special helper earning $1,200 per day.

    Replacement manager hired yet? Meter is running as a cabbie might say..

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  46. A new "little bit expensive" manager candidate may be hired who will have only a part time staffer to answer phones and support the manager... Doesn't make sense unless a no show manager job is being set up.

    Biggest puzzle remains the question of why that particular airport is spending big consultant fees for a long drawn out staffing reorganization. What are the board member roles and responsibilities?

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