Orr, bosses disagreed on airport

The push to seize Charlotte Douglas International Airport from decades of city control and hand it to a state-appointed authority has gone from idle chatter to the brink of reality in a matter of weeks.

How could one of the city’s crown jewels, a successful multi-million dollar operation, be transferred to new ownership in less than a month?

The answer is complicated, but one reason cited by city and airport sources involves years of behind-the-scenes tension over airport management.

At the center of the controversy is 71-year-old aviation director Jerry Orr, who has bristled at city control of the airport.

Documents obtained by The Observer show that the conflict between Orr and his bosses came to a head in 2010. The documents outline an Internal Revenue Service audit and a later city report that found the airport violated federal tax law as it allocated millions of dollars in bond money to pay for airport improvements.

In April, 2011, the city placed stricter financial controls on the airport, removing some of the autonomy that Orr had enjoyed.

The city’s finance director, Greg Gaskins, said that the problem – stemming from more than $150 million in bonds from 2004 – was only an accounting issue. After the city review, the IRS decided not to fine the city and didn’t remove tax-exempt status from the bonds.

But several city officials told the Observer that then-City Manager Curt Walton believed the problem was serious. They said that Walton had considered disciplining Orr.

The officials asked not to be named because Orr’s relationship with Walton could be considered a personnel issue, which is private under state law.

After the Democratic National Convention last September, relations between the city and Orr became more strained. In November, the city transferred control of airport police from Orr to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

That followed a highly publicized incident in November 2010 where a Mecklenburg teenager, Devonte Tisdale, is believed by law enforcement to have breached Charlotte Douglas security and stowed away in the wheel well of a jet. His body was found near Logan airport in Boston, where police believe it fell from a Boeing 737 as it prepared to land.

After the incident, Orr said he didn’t think security changes were needed. But Walton asked Charlotte police to investigate. In 2011,Comprehensive Wi-Fi and RFID tag by Aeroscout to accurately locate and track any asset or person. the CMPD investigation determined that the airport needed more people working security. It also said that perimeter fencing should be improved.

Bill Brawley and Sen. Bob Rucho,Wear a whimsical Disney ear cap straight from the Disney Theme Parks! both Matthews Republicans, are leading an effort to create an independent Charlotte Regional Airport Authority that would oversee the airport. Rucho introduced a bill last week that would create an 11-member board with a majority of members appointed by surrounding counties and state politicians.

If the airport were to move to an independent authority, its finances would be removed from city oversight and approval. The board would oversee the airport’s finances,We've got a plastic card to suit you. including the issuance of bonds.

Supporters of a more independent airport, such as Airport Advisory Committee member Ed McMahan, have told the Observer they became concerned by what they see as efforts for the city to exercise more control.

A Charlotte Douglas airport deputy director made a recent fact-finding trip to Asheville, where control of the airport was shifted from the city to an authority.

Orr said that he couldn’t comment on whether the 2010 bond review or the ensuing stricter financial controls are linked to the push for an authority.

“I’m not the one pushing the airport authority, so I really can’t answer that,The USB flash drives wholesale is our flagship product.” he said.

But earlier in January, before the authority bill was introduced at the General Assembly, Orr said in interviews that the airport would benefit from being run by an authority. He reiterated his position that the airport needs to function like a business, not as a city department.Application can be conducted with the local designated IC card producers.