The real story at
the Bradford Regional Airport
BY R. JASON SNYDER
A page two story in THE BRADFORD ERA on
Thursday, January 15, 1998, which was missed by other area newspapers including THE
WARREN TIMES OBSERVER, had the headline:
"Beck feels McKean should have more BRAA seats"
The reference to BRAA was the Bradford Regional Airport Authority on which the County
Commissioner sits as a voting member.
Since first taking office Mr. Beck has questioned the $140,000 annual payment the
taxpayers of McKean County make to support the operation of the airport. Initially, he
questioned why the taxpaying public should be saddled with such a bill and wondered why
the airport was not self supporting. He noted complaints from the citizens of the area
aimed at the management and the manager of the airport, Craig Bickel. He noted the failure
of the authority to keep the facility moving forward, the loss of flights to and from the
Bradford area, and poor financial management. Large debt was being carried on which large
interest payments were made while sums of cash nearly equal to the debt languished in
accounts earning less interest than the airport was paying.
In February of 1997 members of the authority, Larry Stratton and Harold Beck, with
airport Solicitor Joe Marasco, met with the bank, restructured the finances and paid down
the debt. At that time it was noted that in the past financial dealings of the airport
were usually done just on the say so of one board member who was also the solicitor. To
that, Mr. Beck still shakes his head.
Meeting with the solicitor, Mr. Marasco, several times, Mr. Beck questioned the
arrangement of McKean County paying 80% of the additional cost to run the airport and
having only 4 of the 9 seats on the authority. Mr. Marasco pointed out that when the
authority was conceived that was not the way it was configured.
"It appears," Mr. Beck said, "that when the authority was created in
1967 as a regional authority, the surrounding counties were afraid of McKean County
domination. THEY," he said, emphasizing the THEY; "set it up with representation
tied directly to the annual contribution. McKean County would pay 47% and have four seats;
Warren County would pay 25.5% and have two seats; Elk County would pay 23% with two seats;
and tiny Cameron County would pay the balance, 4.5%, and have one seat. Somehow, over the
years, McKean County has paid more but has not had its representation increased.
Representation was and still should be tied to dollars."
The problem arose when Elk County member Robert Finfenger resigned and they moved to
replace him with another Elk County resident. It was at that point Harold Beck objected.
"I am not objecting to us paying 80%. It’s fitting. The airport is
here," Beck said. "It’s tied to dollars and cents."
"As it stands now," he said; "It’s inequitable and totally
wrong."
"The industrial development of McKean County is tied to this airport. We
don’t need to be handcuffed. We need to control our own destiny."
He went on to elaborate. "I’m not saying I don’t want the other counties
represented. I believe that their presence and input is important. I am just tired of the
tail wagging the dog."
Later, Mr. Beck stated to me that the "tail" is Elk County and points to
their opposition to the construction of a new hangar at the Airport. "We do not need
to contribute $140,000 to their $16,000 and have them dictate to us what is or is not
going to be built at our airport. I want the representation tied directly to money. I
imagine that Warren, Elk and Cameron Counties should contribute a nominal amount, have one
vote each, and the balance of six seats made up of McKean County residents. I genuinely
object to being in a position of being out voted 5 to 4 by the other three counties with
us carrying the heavy financial burden."
It appears that Elk County wants to argue for its second seat. They have recently
communicated to Mr. Beck an opinion from the county solicitor pointing out how Elk County
might get out of the Authority.
"That isn’t what I want," Beck said, "but I do insist on getting
the most for the people of McKean County. If I am going to cave in to them over their
$16,000 a year, or Warren’s $8,000 or Cameron’s $4,000, then I am not
representing the people who elected me."
I asked him where Commissioner Stratton stood and he said Commissioner Stratton should
speak for himself.
"This is an issue that involves the General Fund of McKean County. All three
commissioners, including Jim Weaver, have a say in how that money is spent. If I am out
voted on the Authority Board, I will personally object to paying the airport the $140,000
allocation. I believe that our share, based on representation, is about $75,000 and I
believe that Elk County should come up with what it rightfully owes. The same holds true
for Warren County. I said it at the meeting and I will say it again. Warren County may be
in trouble with money these days, but they are part of a contractual agreement. McKean
County was $1.6 million in debt and we made our allocation every year. Warren County has
cut us in three successive years. It is time right now to straighten this matter
out."
The issue that Beck raised has irritated several board members who would have liked the
status quo to continue. We all know Mr. Beck and he is not exactly a status quo man and
when he feels the people are being short changed, he will be the first to speak out.
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