City mulls airport takeover

Air show problems raise other questions

City Manager Bob Toone said taking on the responsibility hasn't been considered before, but recent tensions with the department of airports over a proposed air show is raising questions about which agency can do a better job.

Gary Reynolds, the executive director of the non-profit group trying to put the air show together, suggested Palmdale's sponsorship of the event could answer many of the airport department's questions.

If Palmdale sponsors the air show, the city could create a sublease agreement to place the responsibilities for the show and the liability insurance on the non-profit group seeking to do it, said Ron Kochevar, Palmdale Regional Airport terminal manager and Van Nuys Airport manager.

"We are pursuing what it would take for the department of airports to sponsor the show and proceeding with looking at the Palmdale option. I believe an answer on the Palmdale's sponsorship could come faster. We are hopeful we could have an answer by the end of the month," Kochevar said.

Mayor Jim Ledford said he believes Los Angeles isn't interested in developing the regional airport here. He said recent difficulties in working with Los Angeles officials only reinforced that opinion.

Ledford wrote to Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan last week about what he perceived as the department of airports' slow movement on the air show request. However, he said he isn't sure if he supports the city taking on Los Angeles' job.

"I don't know what the implications are for sponsoring the show. We will need to look at it. It seems to me if we are looking at this proposal for an air show, we should also be looking at long-term control of the airport instead of just one weekend," Ledford said.

The Palmdale city manager said he thought it was interesting that the department of airports believed Palmdale could move faster than Los Angeles. He added that it poses a strong argument for looking at future operation of the airport terminal.

"We have the ability to move faster than the city of Los Angeles. Maybe the city of Palmdale should run the terminal. If they (Los Angeles) can't manage an air show here, maybe we should discuss doing air shows and bringing in airlines ourselves," Toone said.

The city manager said he has concerns about liability and insurance if Palmdale were to sponsor the event. More research is required before it will be ready for the council to review, he said.

"Toone's Law is Murphy was an optimist. I want to know the ramifications of the air show. It is a great idea to have an air show, but what is the downside?" he said.

Reynold's group, called Airplanes in Recreation Shows Committee of Management Marketing and Never-ending Demonstrations, or AIRS COMMAND, is continuing to have meetings and sign performers.

Reynolds said he believes the Palmdale council will accept the idea once he explains to them what insurance for the non-profit corporation can guarantee and what the corporation plans to accomplish with the event.