What's new and central on the Coos County Airport District commissioners' minds is the crisis - low ridership on the North Bend-Portland flights.

The five people vying for two open seats on the airport commission say that's the biggest issue in their minds, too.

Making the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport self-sufficient - easing the burden on taxpayers - and better communication with the community are other challenges they want to tackle.

In one race are two Coos Bay residents - three-year incumbent and restaurateur Joe Benetti and Fred Kirby, a liquefied natural gas opponent, who ran for Coos Bay mayor in 2008 but withdrew his candidacy.

Three others are competing for a position Clair Jones will vacate. Business owner and pilot Patrick Elliott of North Bend, former airport board commissioner and Southwestern Oregon Community College treasurer Jon Barton of Hauser and airport budget committee member D. Stephen Pickering of Coos Bay.

Benetti wants to complete unfinished business. The board has been working with SkyWest Airlines to obtain better connections at the Portland International Airport hub.

"In my mind, it's not there yet, and it's something that needs to be dealt with," Benetti said.

Barton agrees commissioners should continue with their efforts and he'd like to help.

"It's critical that the airport muster every ounce of pressured persuasion it can to ensure that we retain and frankly improve the flight schedules to Portland," he said. "They are virtually the lifeline of this community."

Kirby said he's not happy with the current subsidy agreement between the airport district and SkyWest, which cost the airport $60,000 per month from November through January.

"I would rather cook up a deal with entrepreneur Ocean Air or the Sause Brothers/Coos Aviation team to provide reliable service from North Bend to Portland airport's business aviation section or to Eugene several times daily," Kirby said on his Web site, www.fredkirby.org.

Coos Aviation owner Dale Sause said he has been involved in discussions about fixed base operators at the airport providing the Portland service. Although it is viable, Sause isn't in favor of it.

"Do I prefer it - no," Sause said this morning. "But it's better than no air service."

He said it would be hard to move people and baggage when connecting from unsecured charter flights to commercial flights.

"When moving lots of people, it's not as good as commercial service," Sause said.

Elliott also would like to revisit SkyWest's agreement.

"That subsidy contract needs to be negotiated," Elliott said. "I think SkyWest has too much flexibility on changing their schedule."

Pickering said he would like the district to consider how to best serve the public.

"Bandon Dunes needs the airport ... but the current focus seems to be on golfers at the expense of the other 40,000-plus taxpayers in the district," he said.

All candidates suggested airport property, such as at the Airport Business Park, needs to be marketed more than it has in the past. Benetti recommended building more T-hangars for private airplane storage rentals and providing other routes besides Portland and San Francisco.

Kirby suggests the airport sell Business Park property, raise landing fees and further cut payroll. He'd like to see military displays and creation of flight clubs to engage the public in airport operations.

Elliott and Barton both said a professional Realtor should be hired to market airport properties. Barton has a detailed plan, including a public-private partnership to provide development money and management, and investment returns.

All of the candidates agreed there is room for improvement in the airport district's community relations.

Pickering would like to see money from paid parking fund a parking lot attendant's salary and security personnel. Currently, funds made through paid parking pay for airport operations.

Elliott said a new Coos County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program,  designed to provide customer service at the airport, is a step in the right direction.

"But it's not enough," he said.

"Airport management needs to be reminded they're a customer-facing organization," he said. "They need to sell their services."