Ron Rommel criticizes city manager's plan to cut fuel purchases at Loch David Airport

The Lock Haven City Council meeting on December 4, 2023, featured significant discussions regarding the future of the local airport, particularly in light of concerns raised by Ron Rommel, president of the Hyper Aviation Museum. Rommel expressed strong opposition to the city manager's proposal to discontinue fuel purchases at the airport, arguing that this decision could jeopardize the airport's financial viability and negatively impact local businesses.

Rommel highlighted the airport's role in generating income through fuel sales, which he noted are crucial for attracting visitors to the Piper Aviation Museum. He emphasized that many visitors fly in and contribute to the local economy by dining at nearby restaurants and staying in hotels. He warned that without fuel availability, events that draw large crowds, such as the San Antonio Journey, could be adversely affected, leading to empty hotel rooms and lost revenue for local businesses.

Additionally, Rommel criticized the city manager for canceling a planned meeting with airport stakeholders aimed at discussing strategies to enhance the airport's operations. He expressed concern that the city manager appears uninterested in collaborating to improve the airport's situation and is instead focused on its potential closure.

Rommel also mentioned a proposed solar farm project on airport property that could have generated significant revenue. However, he noted that the project was halted due to the city manager's realization that the income would need to be allocated to the airport, which he viewed as a missed opportunity for financial support.

In closing, Rommel urged the city council to scrutinize the budget and the motivations behind the city manager's decisions, advocating for actions that would preserve the airport's operations and its contributions to the community. The meeting underscored the ongoing debate about the airport's future and the importance of local leadership in addressing these critical issues.