The Coweta

County Commission wants to make sure a state-funded helicopter will still

operate at the Newnan-Coweta Airport.

In fact, county

administrator Theron Gay sent a letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue yesterday

outlining how critical the helicopter is to the region.

Nearly two

years ago, the state placed Department of Corrections staff and a helicopter

at the airport. The state funds the project, and Coweta County built a

hangar for the chopper.

"It's

the only one in a 10-county reg ion,"

Gay said.

The chopper

has assisted the Sheriff's Department in locating lost elderly residents

and has aided in security at the Coweta County Fair.

Gay said the

department's presence at the airport was especially useful after 911 when

it showed a strong security team at the airport.

During Tuesday's

County Commission meeting, Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter

asked the county to send a letter to the governor, because he had heard

there was a chance the staff and copter could be moved out of the county.