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Airport tenants tell Pickens County commissioners barricade blocks hangar access, allege county action on Thompson property
Summary
Several tenants at the Thompson East Hangars told commissioners that a barricade is blocking access to aircraft and alleged the county is attempting to acquire the Thompson property; speakers raised FAA compliance, potential loss of hangar revenue and concern for older pilots, and urged the board to comply with applicable law. The board entered executive session later and took no public action.
Multiple tenants and pilots told the Pickens County Board of Commissioners during public comment on April 20 that a barricade was blocking access to aircraft at the Thompson East Hangars and expressed concern about what they described as county actions affecting the property.
Robert Volk said the barricade had blocked access to his aircraft and others and alleged the county was attempting to acquire the Thompson property; he also said the proposed agreement included conditions he considered unreasonable. Lonnie Reece said a one‑time exit allowance could prevent tenants from returning to the hangars, effectively forcing relocation of aircraft and reducing available hangar space and revenue. David Wilkinson noted the Thompson property historically had runway access and expressed concern about changes following the runway extension.
Debra Volk disputed the structure of the county's proposed agreement, raised questions about Federal Aviation Administration compliance and the cost of proposed improvements, and urged the board to clarify legal and regulatory obligations. Matthew Reece described the personal impact on longtime pilots, particularly older individuals who had invested in aviation at the facility. Gary Semonian alleged violations of state law and county ordinances and urged the board to comply with applicable laws and fulfil their responsibilities related to airport operations. The transcript records no direct response from the commissioners to rebut or confirm the allegations during the public comment portion.
The board later entered executive session at 6:32 p.m. to discuss personnel, real estate negotiations and legal matters, reconvened at 7:02 p.m., and adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The public transcript records that no action was taken following the executive session.
