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Still no Pitt airport AGM

Cities still vetting directors.
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The airport continues to operate as normal despite the disagreements between the two cities.

The continuation of the Pitt Meadows Airport Society’s contentious annual general meeting has been postponed again, until Nov. 26.

Trying to find volunteer directors is the sticking point.

The AGM was adjourned during a reportedly heated meeting on July 30, after Pitt Meadows asked Maple Ridge to bow out and leave operation of the airport  to Pitt Meadows alone.

Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read responded that the facility is too important as an economic generator for her city and the region.

“This is a long-term asset that is of strategic value to Maple Ridge,” Read said by letter.

“And it has great economic potential going forward.”

The next day, the normally routine AGM was held, but recessed until Oct. 29.

One of the key orders of business for the AGM, said airport manager Murray Day, is selection of new volunteer directors, and the cities are still trying to agree on four people.

“We’re in the midst of director selection interviews,” said Day.

When Pitt Meadows asked Maple Ridge to leave the airport society, it cited frustrations in the two cities failing to reach consensus in two areas: strategic planning and composition of the board.

Read responded that Maple Ridge has recommended qualified appointments to the board who have been rejected by Pitt Meadows.

Day explained that the selection committee is made up of Day himself, and a representative from each of the member city halls – Pitt Meadows CAO Kim Grout and Maple Ridge manager of economic development Lino Siracusa. They put candidates forward for approval.

The appointment of new directors is the last item on the AGM agenda, said Day.

He said there is no dysfunction in the airport operation.

“There may be a little disagreement between the two municipalities, but the board has been functioning fully.”

The Pitt Meadows Airport Society has controlled the airport since 1999, when it took ownership from the federal government. It is run by a volunteer board of directors with nine members, who work at arms length from the member municipalities, Day explained.

 



Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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