The airport is important

Jon Barton

The 69-year-old Coos Bay resident has lived in the Bay Area for 15 years and been visiting family on the South Coast since 1962.



• Why are you running for airport board?

Barton said he realizes the importance of the airport as one of the four major infrastructure components and wants to be involved.

"Without the airport and the commercial air service it provides, the number of visitors to our area would decline and hundreds more jobs would eventually go away," he said.

• How should the airport try to maintain air service in the wake of reduced boardings and the overall economic downturn?

He wants to renegotiate subsidy contracts with SkyWest and explore ways to make northbound routes profitable. He doesn't think the long-term answer is charter service.

"It's viable, but on a specialty basis," he said. "I suspect the answer lies with some sort of marriage between Alaska (Airlines) and SkyWest."

He suggested subsidizing local ticket purchases rather than underwriting the airlines.

• How will your leadership approach differ from that of your opponent(s)?

After serving on the board for three years, Barton said, he already has a good working relationship with board chairman Mike Lehman and incumbent candidate for Position 2, Joe Benetti. He also has leadership experience.

"I've been in some sort of senior management position since 1977," Barton said. "I have a management style. I think it works. It certainly worked for me."

• What, if any, changes in airport policies and management would you hope to see when a new manager takes over next year?

Barton praised airport Executive Director Gary LeTellier's competence in obtaining Federal Aviation Administration funding, and wants to keep that attribute in a new manager. However, he would like to see the airport board hire someone who handles public relations better.

• What other issues will be priorities for you?

Engaging a local Realtor to help market the Airport Business Park was on Barton's priority list, as well as develop public/private partnerships for leasing of property.

• Occupation: Retired, but does financial and management consulting for the Port of Brookings-Harbor; principal business adviser for Freeman Rock Inc. in Brookings.

• Education: Undergraduate studies at University of California and Kellogg Center Advanced Management Program at Michigan State University.

• Business experience: 1994-2008 - president Coos Curry Holdings Inc. investment management services firm; 1990-94 - president and chief executive officer for Cabot Safety Corp.; 1986-90 - principal, J. Barton & Co. management services firm; 1981-86 - president and CEO Cooper Manufacturing Corp., oil well drilling.

• Political experience: Coos County Airport District board (May 2005-08); Oregon International Port of Coos Bay commission; Budget Committee Coos County Airport District; Citizens Airport Advisory Committee to the International Port of Coos Bay; South Coast Economic Development Council; and Sumner Fire District Board.

• Organizations: Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation, South Coast Development Council, Friends of New and Sustainable Industry, Southwestern Oregon Community Action Council and Oregon Mediation Association Board of Directors.

Has skills to do the job

Patrick Elliott

The 42-year-old has lived in North Bend for almost seven years.



• Why are you running for airport board?

Elliott has been a pilot since 1996, with both parents also pilots, and said he can offer expertise in aviation operations. He said he also has experience working with customers.

"I feel I have a skill set the community needs on the board: A pilot who knows airports and aviation, who's a working stiff with the same concerns as every other residents of this county," Elliott said.

• How should the airport try to maintain air service in the wake of reduced boardings and the overall economic downturn?

Elliott said he would consider alternative air service, such as from one of the fixed-base operators at the airport, if need be.

"I don't think the district, nor the taxpayers, can afford to continue subsidizing northbound flights," Elliott said. "The district needs to actively pursue other options northbound."

• How will your leadership approach differ from that of your opponent(s)?

"I don't know, I haven't experienced them in a leadership role," he said.

•What, if any, changes in airport policies and management would you hope to see when a new manager takes over next year?

Elliott said Executive Director Gary LeTellier should be replaced with two people who between them would get the same amount of pay as the executive director, but share responsibility with the operations manager.

"I would like to see the responsibilities of the former executive director spread out into a more balanced team: a financial manager, an operations manager and a communications manager," he said. "There are a lot of business partnerships that work successfully in that model."

• What other issues will be priorities for you?

Development of the business park and all airport property is top on Elliott's list of issues.

"This land needs to be developed and put into revenue production to ensure the long-term survival of the airport," Elliott said.

Secondly, he would like to improve public awareness and communication.

"The board and management staff need to fully engage the public in the future of their airport," Elliott said. "This must include clear and timely communications of issues coming before the board, allowing longer periods of public input and comments. Simply asking for public comment right before a vote isn't what I have in mind."

Last of all, Elliott said an employee or volunteer needs to be inside the terminal at all times to help visitors and passengers. Up until now, service and available staff have been lacking.

• Occupation: AT&T cell site technician; co-owner with wife Aimee Elliott of Siren Song, a small retail store in Coos Bay; co-owner with three partners Five Guys from Oregon, DBA Syil America mill and lather importer; and DBA Big Dog works, both mail-order companies.

• Education: High school, some college, 23 years of continuing technical training in cellular telecommunications.

• Business experience: 23 years in the telecommunications industry from working in a warehouse to system design.

• Political experience: None.

• Organizations: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association and Blanco Masonic Lodge in Coos Bay.

Sees need for changes

D. Stephen Pickering

The 61-year-old Coos Bay resident lived in the Bay Area from 1969 to 1975 and in August 2007 returned to marry his high school sweetheart.



• Why are you running for airport board?

Pickering said he would ask commissioners to re-evaluate their perspectives on who should be taxed. He would like to see advertising directed at local passengers rather than out-of-towners.

"The current makeup of the board is such that it continues to embrace the policies of SCDC (the South Coast Development Council) without any apparent concern for the non-golfing district taxpayers," Pickering said.

• How should the airport try to maintain air service in the wake of reduced boardings and the overall economic downturn?

Although he said nothing can be done about the current economic situation, Pickering said, "Trim all costs not essential to providing service, both commercial and general aviation."

He advocates more flyer-friendly scheduling and seeking out another airline or enticing changes with the current provider.

• How will your leadership approach differ from that of your opponent(s)?

Of Patrick Elliott, Pickering said, "I can be a full-time commissioner."

Of Jon Barton, he said, "He's the old school. If you want more of the same, vote for him."

• What, if any, changes in airport policies and management would you hope to see when a new manager takes over next year?

Focus on retention and improvement of commercial air service; encourage air shows, static displays and other revenue-making events; continue the goal to make the airport self-sufficient.

• What other issues will be priorities for you?

More promotion of the Airport Business Park.

Also, the current paid-parking lot has room for improvement, and so does the customer service situation, with nobody around inside the terminal at times.

"Move the rental car and employee parking," Pickering said. "Add security paid for from parking revenues. Press for minimal hours of attended service within the terminal."

Improving the airport Web site and setting up an emergency phone are other ideas Pickering suggested.

• Occupation: Retired.

• Education: Computer science programming and micro systems support. Was working toward a double-minor bachelor's of Native American and Chicano Latino studies.

• Business experience: Worked for NEO Industries, a Midwest machinery company for 10 years. Retired as a corporate manager. Lived in the Charleston area in the 1970s and worked in marine electronics. Owned a restaurant in Eugene, was manager for a Eugene wholesale and retail company, and worked in avionics for Cutter Aviation in Phoenix and AAR Corp. in Troutdale. Also was a security supervisor at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Douglas ; commercial fisherman.

• Political experience: Made an unsuccessful bid for the Coos Bay City Council in 2008.

• Organizations: Volunteer fireman in Charleston in the early 1970s; Boy Scouts of America den chief and Scout master; Elks; Eagles, charter member of Council 11962 of the Knights of Columbus; Restaurant, Hotel and Bartenders Union; The Teamsters; The International Union; United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; and the Lumber & Sawmill Workers Union.