This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

If you really want to laugh, look at the website. it has not been updated for over 2 years.

peeling floors isn't a ground breaking story, sorry to break it to you boys

i know of a shop that went through 3 different floor paintings

We appreciate the suggestions. David Tewes will be happy to receive your phone calls to discuss further.

Well looks like the good old boy's network is alive and well in Victoria! You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours!
The management of Victoria Regional Airport seems to be making a lot of questionable decisions, causing the pilots to wonder what's next. A 12 page new generic lease agreement presented to local pilots has raised many unanswered questions.
Are all rentals for t-hangars and big hangars calculated in the same manner? Do some of the big boys get a break?
Why does the airport and county subsidize the Sky restaurant with vouchers for meals......how about the other restaurants in town, don't they pay tax dollars and deserve the same help from the county and airport?
I think it is time for the Advocate to do some investigative reporting and get to the bottom of the whole story......are the citizens of Victoria being taken for a ride by the good old boys of Victoria?

justataxpayer,

I suspect Gary Burns is perfectly happy with the status quo. I'd like to see Clint Ives become his own man and buck the system. To take it a step further, I'd like to see Ives be vocal about issues that don't align with his supposed fiscally conservative ideals. {Clint, let's put those ideals into practice, shall we. The rest of the CC are not your peers — we are. Always be mindful of the values of those who elected you. Give it a try! Hint: you might have a friend in Kevin Janak.}

radiobabe,

Do you think that online publishing of Commissioners Court minutes (including Airport Comm) would allow the public to better understand questionable contracts like those mentioned? Would it improve the quantity & quality of information available to the public?

Why is it everytime facts are mentioned, someone thinks it implies a conspiracy?

im pretty sure that VCS is the only local company in their field, especially when it comes to security cameras and such

We encourage anyone with specific information to share to call city and county reporter David Tewes at 361-580-6515. We agree with Radiobabe and Grandpa that idle speculation is not particularly helpful.

Seems like the rumor mill is now rampant, likely some truth either way. Let's have an investigative story from the VA to set things straight. If someone actually knows (and has evidence) that laws are being violated they should go to the sheriff or DA. Otherwise we should all ask more questions and not just smear people that are trying to do their job.

Why is everything always a conspiracy?

I don't know the specifics of the contracts awarded but I do know the people involved, particularly the Hartmans and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that nothing was done under the table or with questionable ethics. These people are VERY generous and involved members of our community who give back with not only their money but their time. Heaven knows that they would have to have a higher purpose to expose themselves to the type of ridiculous allegations that so often appear in these blogs.

Remember also that this is a small community with people (rightly so) demanding that city/county money be spent with local vendors. That being the case, there might be one or two or three other companies in this area that offer the specific contracting services mentioned in these blogs. My question would be, "How many contracts were awarded to individuals with no ties to board officials?" I'd guess hundreds. Again, with a town this size, there is going to be the occassional situation when a relative is not only in the bidding process but is awarded the project. Having been in this situation myself, I know this happens and my experience has always been that all people involved are very sensitive to the percieved conflicts and do all they can to keep everything above board.

Why is it that the first thing so many of you do is think the worst of our city leaders. Certainly they make mistakes... they're human, you're human. But it would be nice, for a change, if we give them the benefit of the doubt and, even if we don't agree with their decisions, to trust that they have the community's best interests in mind.

It's easy to hide behind a fake name and anonomous post and throw baseless accusations. I think this community is better then that and I would encourage the bloggers to not be so quick to accuse!

edpost, if what jrip said is true (I've heard these things from multiple sources), then it doesn't seem kosher. We're all in pursuit of the truth (even VicAd, sometimes), so if you know something different, lay it on us. I'd love for someone to tell me I can stop shaking my head is disgust of our local govt.

www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/ja...

edpost: "What does VCS security and Raines tile have anything to do with those contracts and the airport commission."

You're right, it just can't be. That conflict of interest is way too obvious. There must be some other explanation.

While we're on the subject of malfeasance, any comments on Clegg receiving a sizable no-bid contract out there? (Not the late-bid contract.)

The big lead wrapped wire bundle that went to the off site radar installation... Back in the 70's, some of the landowners along Keefe Rd. took it upon themselves to dig it up and sell the lead. That has to be at least a mile from the airport fence line, that had to be one high priced chunk of wire bundle.

jrip: "Now the rumor is they're going to start digging and sell lead that might be buried in the ground to sell it."

I've heard the same thing. I wonder if that will offset expenditures or go into a slush fund.

Do any of you remeber the new Ramps in front of the hangers that Pozzi said would be at "NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS". A man
without a clue. Evertime a Pilot buys aviation fuel they pay an Avaition Tax that is allocated by the traffic at any given public use Airport. Why was the money spent there instead of offsetting the shortfall? If you look closely this Airport has no shortfalls to begin with, only overpaid public servants who do nothing to help the pilot popoulation. They are there to line the pockets of local tax takers who feed off the public and gonvernment.
The reason the Board went with the current contractor that had formed a company two weeks prior is because someone with an ounce of integrity would have called foul a long time ago on this waste and behind the scene politics and abuse of public funds.

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Who hired James Woods to do the interview? And do the new leases still have renters paying county property taxes on the 'value' of their leases? That was BS!

This is an rageout!

In togo the local school doubled as an airport, we just had to shoo the kids of the atheletic field when a plane came in. The planes were kept in the gynasium when not in use. If a fire started we just sounded a fire drill and the students helped put it out!

Why wouldnt this work here! Outttrage!!!!

And handing out those contract like that! craziness! Why doesnt the county give them to low bidder.

Out rage!! I am going to attend the next county village guvernment meeting! whos with me!

How about David Tewes doing an article on how it pays to be on the airport commision. Gary Burns wife got the tile job in the FBO. J. Hartman VCS security was given the contract for the new cameras. It sure pays to be Judge Pozzi's buddies, Jason miliski sure got a fat contract for being the judges buddy. A friend said they painted the floor and outside contractor and all the paint is peeling off the floor. And the head airport miliski guy had them paint the floor first then they painted the walls after that and overspray coated the floor. Now the rumor is they're going to start digging and sell lead that might be buried in the ground to sell it. Did the rent go up in the hangar with the jets in it. There seems to be no record of what is being paid there. I bet a good reporter might could probably have a field day there, there are rumor that skyy restraunt contributed nicely to pozzi campaign, they got 22 thousand dollars from meals for buying gas. It sure pay good to be on the judges board

If you can't afford the service don't use it. The doctors won't treat you unless you can pay and the same goes for most lawyers. No offence intended to the doctors or lawyers.... Just saying on one works for free.
I have a suggestion...... Why don't all the pilots get together and buy some property and build their own private airport. If they are rich enough to afford an airplane they can afford to be part owner of their own airport.
The report said there were 44 aircraft in the hangers and a new airport will cost about $1 million (I am guessing). $1Mil divided by 44 is $22,727.27! Divide that into a 5 year loan and it is not much to have your own airport. Probably less than they are paying now! They can have a team of pilots responsible for the up keep and services or hire a private crew just for the private airport. All with FAA approval! Just a thought!
I want to know what the pilots think of my idea! Is this a valid idea?

That's what I thought. Thank you.

Is J. R. Jim Hartman of the Airport Board related to Jennifer Hartman of the Citizen's Medical Center Board?