DANVILLE, IL. (ECWd) –
During their monthly meeting this morning, the Vermilion County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners met in open session.
During public comment time, I informed the board of their requirement to follow state law in regards to qualifications of office of commissioners. “No person shall be appointed as commissioner…who is a member of the governing board of a municipality…or employee of a unit of local government…” – Commissioner William Ingram stated he had his resignation from the Catlin Planning Commission in an envelope, and showed the envelop, that he was bringing the City of Catlin to resign from that planning commission.
This leaves David Kietzman who is employed by the community college (a unit of local government) and therefore prohibited from serving as an airport authority commissioner, and Steve Foster, who is a City of Danville Alderman, and as such is prohibited from serving as an airport authority commissioner. See our previous article (here).
Why they cannot read and understand one simple sentence in the Airport Authorities Act is beyond us. Their attorney even apparently is refusing to force the issue, by saying they are waiting on a letter from IDOT.
…No person shall be appointed to the Board of Commissioners of any Airport Authority who has any financial interest in the establishment or continued existence thereof or who is a member of the governing body or an officer or employee of a municipality, a county, or any other unit of local government…
IDOT has had this information for at least a month and not taken any action on it (yet). Does it really take much thought to figure out an Alderman of a city and an employee of a community college are violating this state law?
Additionally, David Kietzman, who does not reside within the airport authority (according to public records we obtained), is making a decision on imposing property taxes on people he does not represent – another alleged violation of the airport authorities act.
We believe they know they cannot serve in the capacity they are serving but refuse to do the right thing and resign. They will eventually be forced to follow the law.
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5 Comments
Anonymous
Posted at 12:30h, 20 JuneAfter your meeting they fired the airport manager, and hired fbo operator as manager. Rumor is board thinks old manager is the one that put you guys on them. Sounds like retaliation.
jmkraft
Posted at 13:06h, 20 JunePlease contact us with more info.
Pete Marwick
Posted at 14:37h, 19 JuneI thought there were two exceptions to the rules, assuming the exceptions do not apply? While it is a stretch, the local school district exception may extend to community colleges?
Jannie
Posted at 12:24h, 19 JuneI believe it is often that these individuals feel that the law isn’t for them — and/or if they ignore it long enough no one will ever correct the situation. Unfortunately, that’s sometimes true. I’m with Sherry — glad you’re keeping an eye on things — wish there were more.
Sherry Brianza
Posted at 11:51h, 19 JuneI hope the people in this community are supporting your efforts. These members should resign at once – or do their egos prevent them from stepping down? They are not above the law & the law is clear. I guess they are just use to ignoring rules cause they believe they are special and it doesn’t apply to them & normally just get by with it! Those days are over with Kraft & Kirk. Thank goodness for you guys & your Watchdogs!