Cunningham & Stoffa are trying to control this Authority. Look at the appointments and the openings. Local communities are being hurt by their involvement.
LVIA director resigns under pressure George Doughty out after 18 years as counties plan new direction for airport. By Matt Assad
Of The Morning Call
2:38 PM EDT, August 30, 2010
Advertisement
The Lehigh-Northampton Authority abruptly said good-bye Monday to 18-year airport executive director George F. Doughty, citing a need to take the airport in a different direction.
Doughty resigned, effective immediately, under pressure from an authority that has been signaling his departure for months.
The move comes after two turbulent years in which Northampton and Lehigh county executives John Stoffa and Don Cunningham began replacing Doughty's allies on the authority, and suggested it was time to look for someone new to lead the airport used by 750,000 passengers last year.
"This is the best for both the airport and George Doughty," Cunningham said Monday. "Every organization needs change, new energy and a fresh perspective now and again. That's what's happening here."
Lehigh Valley International Airport has not turned into the major hub regional business leaders envisioned and, for the first time, both county executives joined forces in a power struggle with airport officials to change policies.
Adding urgency to the showdown was a $25 million court ruling against the airport. LVIA's taking of a developer's land has been in the courts for 13 years. Now, after $2 million on legal fees, the airport is out of appeals and lacks the money to pay the award.
Doughty, whose support from the 19-member authority board had dwindled, has argued that not only is the airport's transition to smaller planes following a national trend, but it is also holding its own against a challenging economy.
And while the court loss is troubling, Doughty has contended it was unavoidable.
When Doughty arrived from Denver International Airport in 1992, LVIA officials felt lucky to get him and Denver officials expressed regret in losing their aviation director to the Lehigh Valley.
But that was nearly two decades ago, and while some board members still say he's been masterful in running the Valley's airport through two recessions and a fuel crisis the past eight years, Doughty lost the confidence of Stoffa and Cunningham -- the two men who appoint four new board members each year.
The three-year contract paying Doughty about $160,000 a year expires at the end of 2011.
LVIA director resigns under pressure George Doughty out after 18 years as counties plan new direction for airport. By Matt Assad
Of The Morning Call
2:38 PM EDT, August 30, 2010
Advertisement
The Lehigh-Northampton Authority abruptly said good-bye Monday to 18-year airport executive director George F. Doughty, citing a need to take the airport in a different direction.
Doughty resigned, effective immediately, under pressure from an authority that has been signaling his departure for months.
The move comes after two turbulent years in which Northampton and Lehigh county executives John Stoffa and Don Cunningham began replacing Doughty's allies on the authority, and suggested it was time to look for someone new to lead the airport used by 750,000 passengers last year.
"This is the best for both the airport and George Doughty," Cunningham said Monday. "Every organization needs change, new energy and a fresh perspective now and again. That's what's happening here."
Lehigh Valley International Airport has not turned into the major hub regional business leaders envisioned and, for the first time, both county executives joined forces in a power struggle with airport officials to change policies.
Adding urgency to the showdown was a $25 million court ruling against the airport. LVIA's taking of a developer's land has been in the courts for 13 years. Now, after $2 million on legal fees, the airport is out of appeals and lacks the money to pay the award.
Doughty, whose support from the 19-member authority board had dwindled, has argued that not only is the airport's transition to smaller planes following a national trend, but it is also holding its own against a challenging economy.
And while the court loss is troubling, Doughty has contended it was unavoidable.
When Doughty arrived from Denver International Airport in 1992, LVIA officials felt lucky to get him and Denver officials expressed regret in losing their aviation director to the Lehigh Valley.
But that was nearly two decades ago, and while some board members still say he's been masterful in running the Valley's airport through two recessions and a fuel crisis the past eight years, Doughty lost the confidence of Stoffa and Cunningham -- the two men who appoint four new board members each year.
The three-year contract paying Doughty about $160,000 a year expires at the end of 2011.
8 comments:
Why? He's been there a long time and those guys seems to cover for each other
If true, long time coming and necessary.
Any word yet Bernie?
Cunningham & Stoffa are trying to control this Authority. Look at the appointments and the openings. Local communities are being hurt by their involvement.
How do folks find out about the appointments and openings?
Noe that would be a truly great thing to do. How has he lasted so long?????
LVIA director resigns under pressure
George Doughty out after 18 years as counties plan new direction for airport.
By Matt Assad
Of The Morning Call
2:38 PM EDT, August 30, 2010
Advertisement
The Lehigh-Northampton Authority abruptly said good-bye Monday to 18-year airport executive director George F. Doughty, citing a need to take the airport in a different direction.
Doughty resigned, effective immediately, under pressure from an authority that has been signaling his departure for months.
The move comes after two turbulent years in which Northampton and Lehigh county executives John Stoffa and Don Cunningham began replacing Doughty's allies on the authority, and suggested it was time to look for someone new to lead the airport used by 750,000 passengers last year.
"This is the best for both the airport and George Doughty," Cunningham said Monday. "Every organization needs change, new energy and a fresh perspective now and again. That's what's happening here."
Lehigh Valley International Airport has not turned into the major hub regional business leaders envisioned and, for the first time, both county executives joined forces in a power struggle with airport officials to change policies.
Adding urgency to the showdown was a $25 million court ruling against the airport. LVIA's taking of a developer's land has been in the courts for 13 years. Now, after $2 million on legal fees, the airport is out of appeals and lacks the money to pay the award.
Doughty, whose support from the 19-member authority board had dwindled, has argued that not only is the airport's transition to smaller planes following a national trend, but it is also holding its own against a challenging economy.
And while the court loss is troubling, Doughty has contended it was unavoidable.
When Doughty arrived from Denver International Airport in 1992, LVIA officials felt lucky to get him and Denver officials expressed regret in losing their aviation director to the Lehigh Valley.
But that was nearly two decades ago, and while some board members still say he's been masterful in running the Valley's airport through two recessions and a fuel crisis the past eight years, Doughty lost the confidence of Stoffa and Cunningham -- the two men who appoint four new board members each year.
The three-year contract paying Doughty about $160,000 a year expires at the end of 2011.
LVIA director resigns under pressure
George Doughty out after 18 years as counties plan new direction for airport.
By Matt Assad
Of The Morning Call
2:38 PM EDT, August 30, 2010
Advertisement
The Lehigh-Northampton Authority abruptly said good-bye Monday to 18-year airport executive director George F. Doughty, citing a need to take the airport in a different direction.
Doughty resigned, effective immediately, under pressure from an authority that has been signaling his departure for months.
The move comes after two turbulent years in which Northampton and Lehigh county executives John Stoffa and Don Cunningham began replacing Doughty's allies on the authority, and suggested it was time to look for someone new to lead the airport used by 750,000 passengers last year.
"This is the best for both the airport and George Doughty," Cunningham said Monday. "Every organization needs change, new energy and a fresh perspective now and again. That's what's happening here."
Lehigh Valley International Airport has not turned into the major hub regional business leaders envisioned and, for the first time, both county executives joined forces in a power struggle with airport officials to change policies.
Adding urgency to the showdown was a $25 million court ruling against the airport. LVIA's taking of a developer's land has been in the courts for 13 years. Now, after $2 million on legal fees, the airport is out of appeals and lacks the money to pay the award.
Doughty, whose support from the 19-member authority board had dwindled, has argued that not only is the airport's transition to smaller planes following a national trend, but it is also holding its own against a challenging economy.
And while the court loss is troubling, Doughty has contended it was unavoidable.
When Doughty arrived from Denver International Airport in 1992, LVIA officials felt lucky to get him and Denver officials expressed regret in losing their aviation director to the Lehigh Valley.
But that was nearly two decades ago, and while some board members still say he's been masterful in running the Valley's airport through two recessions and a fuel crisis the past eight years, Doughty lost the confidence of Stoffa and Cunningham -- the two men who appoint four new board members each year.
The three-year contract paying Doughty about $160,000 a year expires at the end of 2011.
"Local communities are being hurt by their involvement."
The only one hurt by their involvement is George Doughty and a good ol' boy network.
Post a Comment