Broadwater County airport board orders 'no vehicles on runway' signs after written complaint

The Broadwater County Airport Board voted May 20 to post standardized signs at Canyon Ferry Airport prohibiting motor vehicles on landing and departure surfaces after the board read a written public comment alleging an unprofessional confrontation between a board member and a recreational pilot.

The complaint, submitted by Matt Lindberg and read into the record, described an encounter on May 1 in which Lindberg said board member Bob Hollister approached him on a four-wheeler after Lindberg landed a powered parachute and questioned why a car had driven on the runway. Lindberg wrote that he had used anti-collision lights, monitored CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) and landed diagonally into the wind, and said Hollister was dismissive and said, "I should know better." Lindberg asked that the board ensure professionalism and discretion from board members.

The board discussed the complaint during the agenda item titled "cars on 8 uniform 9." Board member Bob Hollister told the board that, from his recollection, vehicles had driven down the runway multiple times and said, "you don't put cars on an active runway." He proposed signage and, after an amendment to use the same standard signs the board uses at other airports, a motion to install signage was seconded and carried.

Airport Manager Dwight Thompson confirmed he had received Lindberg's contact the day after the incident and had talked with Hollister and the county chair. Thompson said the matter had not been pursued further before the public comment was read. The board agreed signage was a step to reduce the risk of vehicles entering active landing surfaces and to make expectations clear for pilots and ground drivers.

The motion that passed directs staff to procure and post standard "Active runway — no motor vehicles on landing/departure surfaces" signage at Canyon Ferry Airport. The motion was seconded and carried; the board did not record a roll-call vote in the minutes.

Board members and staff said they would also use the next meeting to confirm whether additional measures (fencing at tie-down areas or lease clarifications for hangar owners) are needed.

The board publicly read Lindberg's written comment and received a follow-up statement from Lindberg appended to the meeting record disputing some details of Hollister's account and calling the confrontation embarrassing and potentially defamatory. The board did not vote on any disciplinary action against any board member at the meeting.