AIRPORT Sherlock still has questions

The tourism board chief said a second meeting with commissioners is moot.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock says she was cut out of a meeting with local tourism officials to discuss funding the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
But Commissioner Ed Reese, who scheduled the meeting, said Sherlock knew about it and could have attended.
"I can't help it if she's upset," Reese said.
Sherlock had requested a meeting with the Youngstown/Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau some two weeks ago. She planned to inquire whether the panel would provide money from its budget to help cover operating costs at the airport, which is in Trumbull County.
Sherlock said she scheduled a meeting with the panel for today but later found out that Reese and county Administrator Gary Kubic had met last week with its president and two of its members.
Atty. Lawrence Richards, bureau president, said the panel would not attend today's meeting.
"We've already been through this with Commissioner Reese," Richards said. "We don't see where going back for a second meeting to talk about the same thing would accomplish anything."
Reese, who serves as commissioners' chairman, said he asked for the meeting so the chairmen of the two boards could talk about funding options. Other commissioners or elected officials were welcome to attend, he said.
Wasn't invited
Sherlock said neither she nor Auditor George Tablack, who also wanted to attend, were informed or invited.
Tablack told commissioners in late April that they should find a way to continue funding the airport, but without dipping into the county's general fund to do it.
Mahoning and Trumbull counties have historically shared operating costs at the Vienna Township facility. Mahoning commissioners, however, are divided over whether the county can afford to match Trumbull's $187,000 contribution for this year.
Reese favors giving the money, but Commissioner David Ludt is against it. Sherlock said she wants more information before breaking the tie, and that's what she was hoping to gain from meeting with the tourism board.
"I'm not voting for this until I get my questions answered and have an opportunity to explore any options for funding," Sherlock said.
Tablack
Tablack said he was under the impression that a meeting was going to be scheduled between himself, commissioners and the visitors bureau.
"I work with two commissioners, but not necessarily the same two commissioners on any given day or on any given issue," Tablack said. "I'm interested in knowing what the majority of the board wishes to do."
Ludt could not be reached to comment.
Richards said neither he nor the rest of the travel bureau wants to get involved in Reese and Sherlock's dispute.
Reese said his meeting with Richards was positive, though he's not sure it will result in any money for the airport.
Richards said the board will consider the funding request, but he's not sure whether it can be done under the panel's charter and Ohio law. He'll seek guidance from the Ohio Tourism Board before deciding.
Reese said if the tourism board can't provide operating money, it might be able to help with marketing the airport.
He added that he's invited the board to meet again with commissioners and representatives of Brant Motor Speedway on June 3. The speedway group is considering construction of an indoor auto racing track near the airport.
The meeting, he said, is simply for Ludt and Sherlock to meet the Brant delegation and to possibly discuss some potential funding sources should the project go forward.
bjackson@vindy.com