Tenant sounds off on I.V. Airport fence issue
From our weekly issue dated February 10, 2010
Illinois Valley Airport tenant Jack McCornack has joined the chorus of those openly criticizing Josephine County Airports Manager Alex Grossi.
McCornack is the owner of McSquared Design, a firm located at I.V. Airport.
In an e-mail dated Thursday, Feb. 4 and sent to the county commissioners and members of the airport advisory committees, McCornack blasted Grossi for his handling of the proposed perimeter fence around I.V. Airport.
“It is indeed unfortunate Mr. Grossi has been so secretive about his dealings on this fence project,“ McCornack wrote. “A satisfactory resolution has been awaiting his acknowledgement, but by canceling meetings and keeping I.V. Airport“s advisory board and fence committee out of the loop, he appears to have forced the issue.“
McCornack referred to a previous lawsuit threat regarding tenants“ access to their hangars that would be limited by the fence. He said that if the matters were to be brought up in a court of law, evidence will indicate that “Josephine County has been misleading the FAA on assurances for two or more of its federally financed airport projects, and the FAA will be obligated to review its relationship with the County.“
Also mentioned by McCornack was the perception that Grossi has engaged in the practice of “threatening “whistle blowers.““ McCornack wrote that Grossi“s “harassment of those who offend him reflects badly on Josephine County and the commissioners and counsel who support his activities.“
“As I“m sure you know, the ranks of potential complainants have grown considerably of late,“ McCornack wrote. “Many county citizens, tenants, and airport users have expressed their dissatisfaction with airport management, and their dismay that the Board of Commissioners continues to support Mr. Grossi“s policies and actions.“
McCornack went on to accuse the county of not addressing “serious issues of airport safety and compliance“ and spending federal and county funds on “nonessentials.“
On Friday, Feb. 5, McCornack sent a follow-up e-mail, in which he withdraws a previous offer to serve on the I.V. Airport advisory board.
In that correspondence, McCornack praised the efforts of advisory board members, but wrote that “your advice to the county is being stopped at the Airports Manager level.“
“As always, I strive to serve the interests of the aviation community and the people of Josephine County,“ McCornack wrote. “I“m sorry that service occasionally conflicts with the wishes of individual County Commissioners and the will of our Airports Manager.“
In a Monday, Feb. 8 telephone interview Grossi denied McCornack“s allegations.
“There has been no harassment. I“ve gone out of my way to accommodate his needs,“ Grossi said.
“I have no comment on the harassment. I don“t harass and I don“t retaliate.“
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