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November 29, 2005 We have been told time and time again about how lucky we are to have Northwest Airline as a hub in Memphis. With the financial problems Northwest is having along with many other major air carriers, we think it is time to rethink this policy. Recently, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Why Travelers Benefit when an Airline Hub Closes”. This article pointed out the situation in Pittsburgh after US Airways announced in the fall of 2004 that it would stop using Pittsburgh International Airport as a hub. The result was that five discount airlines came in and fares went down. For example, round trip flights from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia fell to $186 from $680. Passenger traffic increased and the number of passengers beginning trips in Pittsburgh was up 12% in September of 2005 compared to September 2004. There has been talk of a major airline coming into Tunica which could hurt the Memphis Airport. With Delta Airlines in trouble and with the increasing availability of good discount airlines, it is time Memphis residents participated in the major change that is occurring in air travel in the United States. We need low cost discount fares in Memphis instead of being forced to drive to Little Rock and Nashville. Click here to read the WSJ article about the benefits of airline hub closures  September 19, 2005 We have had a few requests to investigate the Memphis-Sehlby County Airport Authority. We have asked for an received a list of salaries of top officials which is shown below. Those earning salaries are part of the Memphis Retirement System. Also we asked for financial statements which are shown below. We have also had a few accusations concerning required shoes and the purchase of same. Those charges have been answered to our satisfaction in the attached letter from R. Grattan Brown Jr., the attorney for the Airport Authority. We have said for some time that the Airport Authority is the model for how things should work in Memphis. The Board of Commissioners is composed of outstanding business and civic people who receive no salary or other benefits. This is the way that the MLGW should work and is the way that the Park Commission used to work before the City Council killed it and took it over to the detriment of the taxpayers. Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority 2491 Winchester Road Suite 113, Memphis, TN 38116 Larry D. Cox President of Airport Authority 922-8000 Board of Commissioners Position Arnold E. Perl Chairman Jon K. Thompson Vice Chairman Jim D. Ethridge Thomas C. Farnsworth Jr. Herbert H. Hilliard John W. Stokes Jr. Ruby R. Wharton Airport Authority Officers Larry D. Cox, A. A. E. President Chief Executive Officer Scott A. Brockman, A. A. E. Treasurer Executive Vice President of Finance & Administration/CFO Bobby A. Martin Secretary Vice President of Operations Anthony W. Brown, Esquire Assistant Secretary Vice President of Business Diversity Development and Government Affairs Click here for the Airport Authority salary schedule and a letter from their attorney. Click here for the Airport Authority financial statements. | FIRE AND POLICE NEWS | PARK SERVICES | CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE | PUBLIC WORKS | ENGINEERING DIVISION | FINANCE DIVISION | SALARY & BENEFITS | APPOINTED CITY EMPLOYEES | MEMPHIS SCHOOL SYSTEM | RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORP | INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD | HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY | | Return Home | TODAYS NEWS AND MAIL | MEMPHIS CITY GOVERNMENT NEWS | MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL NEWS | MLG&W NEWS | SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT | CONTACT US | FAQ Page | MEMPHIS BRIDGE | |
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