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PrintAcknowledging that roughly 40 percent of travelers using the airport come from Johnson County, Corbett said it's time for the southern end of the Corridor to be represented on the commission.
"I've talked to several of my council colleagues and there seems to be strong support for doing that," Corbett said. "I'm reviewing a list of names and, hopefully, will have time to interview them so I can present to the council next Wednesday someone to be appointed to the airport commission. That way, they can be involved in the selection of a new airport director." A bill passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2009 and signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver allows two members of a five member airport commission to be non-residents of the city or county owning the airport. They would have to reside in a city or county served by the airport.
Arnold, who was active on the airport commission's personnel and marketing committees, was a member of the se lection committee that interviewed Airport Director Dan Mann.
"Helen took an active role in all aspects of the airport," Mann said.
"When you have a commissioner like Helen who has a background in nonprofits and farming, her insights helped us make good decisions." Mann announced last month that he is leaving Cedar Rapids for a position as director of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, S.C., starting Feb. 1.
Arnold said she hopes the commission will find someone with Mann's ability and passion.
"We need someone with energy and foresight who really gets the major economic driver piece of it," she said. "They need to be someone who is out meeting and interacting with the business community." Mann is a member of the board of directors of the Iowa City Area Development Group.
Corbett said selection of an airport commissioner from Johnson County hopefully would "jumpstart" promotion of the Corridor.
