Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner
2007-06-12 07:00:00.0
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WESTMINSTER, Md. -

Commissioners are scheduled to vote today on whether to lengthen the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster. But a source familiar with airport operations questions whether an expansion is appropriate when it can’t seem to keep up with basic maintenance.

For example, he said, a nighttime navigational light has been out of service for more than a year. He requested anonymity for fear of losing his job.

However, Randy Cox, general manager of WestAir Aviation, which provides fuel, maintenance and other services at the airport, confirmed the problem.

“I’m shocked, quite frankly, that [the light] wasn’t fixed right away,” Cox said. “If you are flying at night, only the white-and-green light tells you that’s an airport. That’s a big deal.”

The county also has failed to maintain a self-serve fuel pump, where a sign reads “inoperable.”

“If we don’t have a good operating light and fuel pump now, how can we do it after an expansion?” the source asked. “Does the federal government need to pay the county to keep the airport in operating order?”

The pump has worked sporadically for the past two years and was shut down completely four months ago, Cox said. He said the inconvenience frustrates pilots.

Cindy Parr, county administrative services chief, said she was unaware of the light and pump problems.

Airport Manager Dean Leister and Gary Horst, a member of the airport’s Technical Advisory Committee, were unavailable for comment Monday.

After 18 months of public hearings, protests and petitions, commissioners vote today on the proposed expansion.

County-sponsored studies have recommended lengthening the runway to attract more corporate jets to strengthen Carroll’s commercial and industrial tax base. But residents, some of whom picketed Monday night, worry about property values, noise, pollution and traffic.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com