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Friday, March 11, 2011

Larry Krauter Day?

March 8 was Fasnacht Day and March 9 was Ash Wednesday. But did you know that March 10 was Larry Krauter Day, at least in Bethlehem? Mayor John Callahan pulled rank to interrupt a meeting of the City's Planning Commission, and proclaim March 10 as Lawrence J. Krauter Day.

After more than twenty years with Lehigh Valley International Airport, Krauter is resigning next week to become Executive Director of Spokane International Airport in Spokane, Washington. March 10 was Krauter's last day on the Christmas City's Planning Commission, which incidentally met for over three hours.

First appointed to the Planning Commission in 2003, Krauter has been Chair since 2009. Callahan talked about the long nights Krauter spent reviewing plans for the Sands Casino, LVIP, Majestic and the first complete review of the zoning ordinance since 1973.

"You can think of no other way to spend your day than here in the Planning Commission?" wisecracked Callahan. "I will grant you permission to extend it to some point into Friday." Getting a little more serious, Callahan said "The City of Bethlehem would do a lot better if we had a few more Larry Krauters."

Krauter, known for a gentle, thorough and inclusive style, thanked everyone, saying, "It really has been a privilege to serve such a fine group of citizens."

For a few brief moments, he achieved rock star status as fellow planning commissioners and staff members scrambled to take photographs, heaping accolade after accolade. Even though he resigned as Chair last night, his colleagues insisted unanimously on naming him "Temporary Honorary Chair," a term they used repeatedly as the afternoon, and then evening, wore on.

Krauter was also given a painting of Bethlehem, neatly wrapped.

When they got back to business, Temporary Honorary Chairman Krauter lost his rock star status very quickly as his fellow Commissioners voted against him, 3-1, on an agenda item.

But he can keep the painting.
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Again the ABE Board made a big mistake letting Larry go. He knew the airport, the valley and he was good for ABE International. I gues our Board members felt differently because now we lost him to Spokane. They are a very lucky board to get him ---- and a lot smarter than ours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bernie O'HareMarch 11, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Agreed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    So sad to see Larry go.

    However, I thought the Callahan news of the day was the Cantelmi family/Tech Hub announcement. Oh, to be in the Mayor's tight little circle...

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    "They are a very lucky board to get him ---- and a lot smarter than ours"

    bullshit. our board chose to extend Larry an almost-identical offer to Spokane's. He chose (rightfully) to accept Spokane because it was a more prestigious appointment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 12, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Amazing that the Lehigh Valley loses the top Airport Candidate in the Country and can not figure out how to keep him!! My Gawd!! Young talent lost. I bet the Allentown Mayor will appoint some hack now to that Board. Watch this, they, the LNAA is doing a national search for an Airport Director. Anyone want to take a bet that we end up with the sloppy seconds of the Spokane search?

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  6. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I have known Larry for many years. Passion, integrity and knowledge.
    Spokane needs to listen to him and follow his lead. What do they say, "Lead, follow , or get the heck out of the way."
    Larry WILL lead; just support him and stay out of the way. A new day for Spokane!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    You're all idiots. I know the workings of the airport intimately and I know that Krauter that was the most untactful and blundering executive. Employees at the airport despised him. Other airport executives and airline representatives scoffed at him. His position at LVIA existed as an absolute disgrace. LVIA can be glad that they have severed their ties with him and the CEO. Mismanagement has hampered the airport’s ability to grow for years.

    ReplyDelete

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