AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER HUGHSTON PERFORMS NECESSARY SERVICE

Artist's Conception of the New Airport Terminal(the beautiful subtropical landscaping is only 30% funded, so may not look this advanced at first) 

"What is it with being billed by the City of Brownsville $113,000 for firefighter services for the first 5 months of the fiscal year?" was the question asked by Airport Advisory Board Member Chris Hughston at today's board meeting.

"Are other entities billed like that?  I mean, this airport is profitable for the last twenty years without that particular expenditure, " continued Hughston.

"Actually, " began Airport Director Bryant Walker, "we've been in talks with the City Manager Noel Bernal about changing the way this is billed."

The above conversation illustrates is how important an effective member of an oversight board can be to the overall operation of various aspects of our city.

Chris Hughston (pictured at left) on the Airport Advisory Board is of that ilk as is board member Jose Angel Hinojosa, both potential irritants, questioning most everything, doing their thing.

Later, when the special projects coordinator promised completion of the new terminal in "the last quarter of 2020," Hughston had another question.

"Does that proposed date include the demolishing of the old terminal and repaving of the parking area?"

"No, just the construction of the new terminal," was the answer.

So, if the impression was given that the airport with its new terminal will be fully functional "the last quarter of 2020," we now know that is not exactly correct.  

It may take another two or three months to tear down the old terminal and rework that plot of land into part of the parking area.

Thanks Hughston.

Daniel Lenz, when he served as chairman of the Brownsville Metro Board did the same, questioning maintenance records, mileage between breakdowns, the awarding of contracts, etc.  despite resistance from the bus administators and the city.

Those kind of board members are few and far between.

The city's boards, especially GBIC, charged with dispersing $5 million annually in economic development funds, need an overhaul, along with new blood.