Friday, July 30, 1999
Commissioners firm on airport
'Hamilton' won't be in the name
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Two of the three Butler County commissioners refused to back down from their controversial decision to change the name of the Hamilton-Fairfield Airport to the Butler County Regional Airport.
Hamilton city officials re cently became upset when they learned of the name change.
They didn't want Hamilton to be dropped from the airport name.
In an effort to placate Hamilton officials, Commissioner Courtney Combs asked Commissioners Chuck Furmon and Mike Fox to consider putting the change on hold until the county and Hamilton agree later on a name.
But they declined to do that.
The new name won't become official until the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approves it.
The county has not yet sent a name-change application to the FAA.
Mr. Furmon said the name change reflects the county's effort to involve several Butler County communities in the financing of the growing airport. Hamilton and Butler County now share equally the costs of operating the airport.
“Butler County is a name we all own and can all take pride in,” Mr. Furmon said. “I haven't heard any citizens of Hamilton disagreeing with the name.”
“The airport is an asset to all our communities,” Mr. Fox said.
He said he hopes the conflict over the name doesn't impair Hamilton's commitment to investing in the airport.
Hamilton Councilman Fred Southard said he still would like the two commissioners to reconsider their position.
“Hamilton has made the financial commitment to the airport,” he said. “I don't think it's unfair for Hamilton to ask for the name Hamilton to be included in the airport's name.”
Mr. Southard, a licensed pilot and a former member of the Butler County Airport Authority, said having Hamilton's name in the airport name could help prevent pilots' confusion over the airport's location.
“There's a safety issue here, too,” he said.
The airport underwent $10 million in improvements last year and has become an increasingly important tool in luring businesses to the county.
The commissioners hope to persuade Fairfield and Union, Fairfield and Liberty townships to contribute money for future airport improvements.
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