Glasgow and Giles County appointees form Abernathy Field Airport Authority; Derek Rowe elected chair

Glasgow and Giles County appointees on Friday established the Abernathy Field Airport Authority, nominated a fifth commissioner, elected Derek Rowe chair and voted to incorporate the authority with the State of Tennessee.

The authority’s initial meeting, called to organize the new governing body for Abernathy Field, opened with procedural remarks and a review of Tennessee statutes cited by the presiding official (TCA 42-3-103 and TCA 43-3-202) that authorize city and county executives to adopt resolutions establishing such an authority. County appointees named in the meeting were Mr. Derek Rowe and Mr. Ryan Gilliam; the city appointees were Mr. Joe Henry and Mr. Donald Bridge (Bridge was noted as absent).

Public commenters raised facility concerns during the allotted public-comment period. Terry Curry described wildlife and an unsecured fence near the field and asked why there is not a gate. “I don’t understand why we don’t have a gate,” Curry said. Winona Berry, who gave her name during public comment, said the airport is “costing us $150,000 a year” and asked how creating the authority would affect citizens’ costs. The presiding official responded that those items were not on the day’s agenda and said the comments would be noted for future meetings.

Commission business began after a brief agenda reordering. Mr. Derrick Rowland moved to invert agenda items so the board would appoint a fifth commissioner before selecting a chair; Ryan Gilliam seconded the motion, and the board approved the change. Phil Reese was nominated to fill the fifth seat; after nominations were closed, the board voted to appoint Reese.

The board then opened nominations for chair. After members discussed willingness to serve, Mr. Derek Rowe was nominated and confirmed by voice vote; the former presiding official turned the chair over to Rowe.

Chair Rowe described the authority’s role as managing day-to-day operations while ownership remains with the city and county. He said paperwork would be filed with the Tennessee Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division so the authority can be recognized at the state and federal level. The board voted to incorporate the Abernathy Field Airport Authority in Tennessee.

Members also set a regular meeting schedule. The board agreed to hold monthly meetings at Abernathy Field at 1:00 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, beginning with a date discussed for the following month. The motion to hold meetings at 1:00 p.m. on the first Friday was seconded by Phil Reese and approved by voice vote.

Commissioners discussed performing a baseline audit to document finances, asset ownership and training or safety needs. Members said they would investigate the cost of an independent auditor but first planned to compile an internal asset list from city and county records so the board could assess whether a paid audit is required. Chair Rowe noted that legal ownership of some assets will require additional investigation; county insurance lists were mentioned as a partial source of records.

Near the end of the meeting an unnamed attendee said the airport campus has at times been referred to as the Randy P. Jones Aeronautical Complex while the runway is known as Abernathy Field; board members discussed which parts of the facility had been named. Chair Rowe adjourned the initial meeting at 1:31 p.m.

What happens next: members directed staff to compile asset and cost information and return proposals on audit options and incorporation paperwork at a future meeting.