During a recent Centre City Council meeting, Harley McGatha said he has a hangar at the old airport facility. Once the new airport is up and running at full speed, the council will close the old facility.
McGatha said he wants to make sure the city would give him time to make accommodations for his new hangar.
“On our current city airport do we have a plan yet on exactly when we’ve got to vacate?” asked McGatha. “Do I need to take my building down? Is that property going to be available where I can purchase it?”
Mayor Phil Powell and council members agreed to look into the situation. However, they said they will work with McGatha and other hangar owners and give them adequate time to move their hangars if necessary.
While the airport is unofficially open, it is not listed in the FAA directory at this time, McGatha said. The airport now has electricity and water, but no sewer system.
McGatha, who is also a member of the Airport Authority, said he would check with the Cherokee County Health Department on getting a sewer system for the airport through the Helping Hands Project which provides sewer systems to residents who can’t other wise afford them. Helping Hands recently installed a sewer system for McCord’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.
The new airport is one Centre and Cherokee County can be proud of, he noted.
“I’ve flown into there a few times,” said McGatha. “We came in last Saturday night from Georgia. I could see the beacon while traveling over Heflin. And I was going pretty high. It was amazing. It’s going to be a great airport for our county for sure.”
The council also opened bids on the Leath House, which was the former Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce office. The Children’s Advocacy Center had the house moved and was prepared to make the house the new Advocacy Center headquarters.
Through the city of Centre, however, the Advocacy Center received a $250,000 grant through ADECA for a new building and deeded the house back to the city of Centre.
The council received two bids and after some discussion, awarded the high bid to Charles Mayhall for $10,101.
The council approved a once-a-year raise for city employees. Full time employees with 10 years of service will receive $500. Full time employees with six months of service and less than 10 years of service will receive $300. Part-time employees with six months of service will receive $100. Volunteer firefighters with six months of service will receive $10. Call-in help and employees with less than six months of service will receive $50.
The council also set Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. as the date for the employees’ annual Christmas Dinner
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