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Residents and airport businesses urge supervisors to block reappointment to Dinwiddie Airport Authority, warn of possible federal grant exposure
Summary
Multiple residents and business representatives told the board not to reappoint John Mason Jr. to the Dinwiddie Airport Industrial Authority and urged removing nonresidents from the authority; a Central Virginia Aviation representative alleged the authority told several companies they could not do business in Dinwiddie and cited an attorney report warning of potential federal grant‑assurance violations and a possible multi‑million‑dollar clawback.
Four residents and business representatives — Dennis Harry, Pete Preacher, Lisa Harrop and Mike Murray — urged the board not to reappoint John Mason Jr. to the Dinwiddie Airport Industrial Authority and asked the board to consider removing nonresidents from the authority. Dennis Harry said the airport has "obvious issues" and that "Mr. John Mesa Junior" should not be appointed to the authority.
Eric Fly, representing Central Virginia Aviation, told supervisors that over the last six months three aviation companies were told by airport authority representatives that they could not do business in Dinwiddie County if they had any business relationship with Central Virginia Aviation. Fly said the lost business represents more than $250,000 in leases, tie‑downs and fuel purchases and asserted that aviation attorney Kirk Schafer has reported the authority may have violated federal grant assurances, which "would lead to the forced clawback of over 3,000,000 in grants accepted by the Dinwiddie Airport Authority." He warned that without course correction the company could be forced to leave and jobs and revenue would be lost.
County staff acknowledged receipt of public feedback on upcoming appointments and said no appointment votes were scheduled that night; the administrator told speakers the board appreciates feedback and will inform the public when appointments are scheduled.
