The Peachtree City Airport

Authority asked Jim Savage to retire June 16 of this year. They wanted

a new manager to come in who could combine managing the airport with business

development. They haven't found that person yet, but they also haven't

really started looking.

At Wednesday night's meeting, the authority was scheduled to discuss

the management transition plan. However, they really discussed forming

a search committee to find the replacement. All members agreed that this

was of the utmost importance, but some members were wondering why the

search hadn't begun all ready.

"We've used up four months," said member Jerry Cobb. "Why

did we wait? We have an asset of information from the current airport

manager being squandered. We should start the search tomorrow. Don't

put it off a day longer."

The subject of Savage's retirement has been a hot button issue for

the authority, dividing it into two camps. When the subject of a search

committee came up on Wednesday night, Cobb suggested that a member from

each camp be on the committee. Member Jim Toombs saw the logic of this

argument but also stated that he didn't think there were any camps.

"There ain't no camps. June 16 is history," said Toombs.

"I trust any one of us to act in the best interests of this airport."

Members Matt Davis and Doug Fisher, who were on opposite sides of Savage's

retirement, will get together and come up with the search criteria as

soon as possible. They are hoping to be able to start the search by or

soon after the authority's next meeting, which is three weeks away.

As part of his retirement package, Savage was asked to stay on, at least

part-time, until the end of the year and the hope was that he would be

able to help with the transition of power, but unless a new manager is

found soon, he may not be around for it.