He also noted that the county had been diligent in correcting ADA problems in county buildings and that the airport building was one of the last problem areas. Hopkins said the Airport Committee had formed an ad hoc business development group that was meeting regularly to plan for adding to airport facilities and revenues. Larry Peterson, pilot and member of the Civil Air Patrol, said that the pilots’ briefing room would be a safety asset to the airport and stressed the need for an office for the Civil Air Patrol.

Debbie Dunn, who also flies out of Westover Field, said that the Airport Committees are making progress on a business plan for the airport, and adding services is one way to attract pilots and improve the airport’s economic viability. She also said the airport building would be replaced in a couple of years, with new offices and a restaurant, and the office use would be a temporary arrangement. The consensus of the supervisors on the ADA problem was essentially – “in for a penny, in for a pound” when they voted to OK the request for the use of the vacant office. Board Chairman Louis Boitano said he’s just “hoping there are some decent people out there” – who won’t sue the county before it can build a new, fully accessible airport building.