Ogden -- A fixed-base operator at the Ogden-Hinckley Airport filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, alleging the city has selectively enforced its airport ordinances to benefit competitors.Today's Std-Ex edition now reports what seems to be a follow-up to Thurday's story:
OK3AIR also alleges in the 47-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City that the Ogden Redevelopment Agency illegally awarded a $2.3 million subsidy to Kemp Development Inc. for the Ogden Gateway Center jetpark.
In addition to the city of Ogden and Kemp, others named as defendants in the suit include the airport, the Ogden Redevelopment Agency, Ogden Hinckley Airport Manager Edward Rich, MTK Holding LLC, and Fair Air LLC.
OGDEN -- Ogden-Hinckley Airport Manager Ed Rich has sent letters to three fixed-base operators informing them they are prohibited from providing commercial services at the new Kemp Ogden Airport Gateway Center.It had been rumored that there were "problems" at the airport, but I'd previously written them off as the sort of petty squabbles that often occur at small municipal airports, where large egos tend to collide, in the usual atmosphere of extreme machismo which is seldom demonstrated anywhere else to such a degree as ...well, small municipal airports.
The letter was sent earlier this month to Ogden Jet Center, Kemp Jet Services, and OK3 Air. All are located at the airport.
"I'm trying to be proactive so there is not a major problem," Rich said, explaining the purpose of the letter.
The three companies are not permitted to provide commercial services at the Gateway airpark, which adjoins the airport, because the Federal Aviation Administration generally doesn't allow "through the fence" FBO operations, said Rich.
Reading between the lines though, it would appear that's something "odd" seems to be going on -- something beyond normal "airport politics." Otherwise there wouldn't be a federal lawsuit -- or a "cease and desist" letter.
Can anyone explain, concisely and dispassionately, what in the world is going on out at Hinkley Field? I only know what I read in the paper, and it seems so far that the Std-Ex's new star reporter certainly isn't giving us anything more than the very "bare bones."
Comments, anyone?
4:55 p.m. Update: The SL Trib discusses the airport situation in a short article on their website, and adds new information for interested readers.
3 comments:
It would be nice if the city administration learned something about the rule of law from this experience. I, along with many people of Ogden, wish this Hakim fellow the very best of luck in this case. Someone needs to reign this city administration in and I hope he will do it. I am sending him a donation for his legal fund and would recommend any one who can affort it to do so. Justice can be obtained if enough people stand up and say "enough all ready!"
Who'se running this show, anyway?
This case will be heard starting July 22, 2005 at 9:30 A.M. in Judge Tina Campbell's Court Room 230 in Federal Court in Salt Lake City.
It could turn out to be a doozy of a trial because Ogden City Airport management spent months trying to put OK3Air out of business to benefit Mel Kemp's new Gateway Center. Ogden appears to have violated several laws, one of which was to give Kemp 2.1 million
RDA tax increment in December even though Kemp's project was not originally an RDA project.
If OK3Air prevails it could get treble damages under the Clayton Act since the airport comes under government FAA rules. That would solve all the discussion re Ogden's financial problems because Ogden would then be officially bankrupt.
New comments are not allowed.