A few days ago I happened to watch the local news and caught this story about one of the Neighborhood Councils in Great Falls having concerns about situation with Great Falls Airport Director Cynthia Schultz.

To refresh my readers’ memory, the Great Falls International Airport Authority Board decided to seek applications for a new airport director, when the current director’s contract expires (although some board members say Schultz has done a good job, but many members of the community say she has done an outstanding job).

I think Schultz has done an outstanding job.

The Board is also spending around $35,000 to hire someone to look for a new director.  Some folks in the community have screamed bloody murder over the energy issue the city is involved in, but I guess $35,000 is a drop in a bucket when you are wanting to get rid of someone who a few power-hungry or jealous people don’t like.

Ironically, the Board said she can apply for the same job.  Sounds like a legal maneuver to me – but I am not a lawyer and don’t even want to play one on TV.

So, if you are thinking things are really crazy in Great Falls, Montana, you are not alone.  Probably not good for business, either, but nobody seems to want to step up to stop the madness that is harming the community.

In my humble opinion, everyone who has half a brain understands that they want to get rid of the current director because of her salary (they are a little jealous, although the board approved it), the urgent need for micromanagement (too many bosses and not enough Joe/Jill Six Packs on the board), and anti-strong female sediment are just a few of things that come to mind.

The Neighborhood Council is very correct to be concerned about the actions of the Great Falls Airport Authority Board, and I applaud them for coming forward.

You can’t fight the fact that there will be consequences of bringing in a new face who probably won’t be a homegrown expert like Schultz, who has 10 or more years of experience and received high marks from most people, except this current board and a few jealous folks from around the area.  The Neighborhood Council spokesperson said that she is responsible for bringing in over $49 million.  Also, the story touched on this on-going project:

Part of their concerns are because of the on-going Residential Sound Insulation Project and the role the current airport director, Cynthia Schultz, has played in obtaining funding for the program.

Schultz has been able to obtain $2.7 million dollars for the pilot stage of the project, but to finish everything it will take another $27 million dollars.

As one might have predicted, the anti-Schultz folks said it does not matter who the director is, which is totally incorrect.

Since I first posted some comments about this circus, my inbox has been busy with comments from around the state and community.  But, since I am not a lawyer or rich, I won’t post unsubstantiated information – I leave that to others, although some of the information I received was pretty, shall I say, interesting.  I hope they forward it to the media and the media does some research – then I will comment.

According to the story linked above, the airport board must show up at the City Commission meeting in a few days to report to the city commission.  I wish I could be there, but I can’t.  I would suggest the city commission ask them to tender their resignations (from the members the city appointed) and bring some sanity back to the airport board.

One thing for sure is the Great Falls Airport Authority Board better have their talking points down to the letter – because many folks are fed up with this whole mess.

What a way to treat one of your own Great Falls.  Shameful.