DARLINGTON — Some new people were in attendance as the Darlington County Jetport Commission and county government tried to mend some wounds during Tuesday’s special commission meeting.
County administrator Phyllis Griffitts began by letting the commission know that its work was valuable and asked about any issues the commission had with the county administration.
Commission members Thomas Graham and Howell Jeffords asked questions regarding the county’s finance director John Williams and his role at the airport.
The commission also requested clarification on its role. Last month, it was changed to an advisory committee and stripped of its decision-making powers.
“We need clarification on who we report to and what our duties are,” Jeffords said. “There have been so many lies and underhanded things done (by certain people) that now there’s mistrust for the county (administration and council).”
The commission submitted questions and statements for Darlington County Council at one of its June meetings regarding work authorized and money spent that the commission, which at the time held the authority for such things, did not approve.
Griffitts said she couldn’t answer those questions, adding that county attorney James Cox would formally answer the questions.
“I don’t want to have to answer for someone else,” Griffitts said. “I’m here tonight to try to work with you all. You need to talk to the people who did this. We’re supposed to be moving forward.”
The airport’s new fixed base operator (FBO), Jason Hathcock, a former crash fire rescuer for Florence Regional Airport, also was present at the
meeting, along with John Stafford, the southeast sales manager for The Hiller Group Inc. and Chevron.
Chevron was awarded a bid contract for fuel services at the airport.
“I have 28 years in the FBO business and I’ll take Jason under my wing and show him how to operate as a FBO from a customer friendly position,” Stafford said. “I think (Chevron) can help to make this an airport that y’all could be proud of.”
The county will be leasing a new fuel truck for the jet fuel in cooperation with Chevron.
This week, Stafford said he would be inspecting the gas systems along with flight line safety and documentation of the fuel truck systems.
“There’s some good business that comes in here,” he said. “We’re going to get down and dirty on those (interior and exterior appearance) details and try to come up with some standards for the facility.”
In March, the county was given an ultimatum regarding correcting a long list of safety deficiencies at the jetport. It faced losing access to state funds for capital improvements and maintenance services.
One of those actions to be corrected was the county supplied fuel truck that was quoted by S.C. Division of Aeronautics (DOA) inspector Paul Wertz as being completely inadequate and dangerous, leaking fuel, lack of working brakes and having fuel contamination.
Griffitts and the commission also scheduled a work session for July 25 with county council, the DOA and the engineering consultants working on bringing the airport up to code with FAA regulations.
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