Candidates Split on Privatization of Briscoe Field

In part three of our weeklong series, Each of the candidates for chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners was queried if he or she supported the privatization of Briscoe Field.

While some candidates support privatization and even expansion of the airport, not all candidates thought the county should relinquish control.

Dacula Patch asked candidates Charlotte Nash of Dacula, Larry Gause of Tucker, Gerald Duane Kissel of Snellville and Will Costa of Lilburn to explain their position regarding the potential privatization of Briscoe Field.

Dacula Patch did not limit the length of the responses. Each candidate’s answer is presented unedited and in its entirety.

Dacula Patch asked: “Do you support the privatization of Briscoe Field? Why or why not?”

DUANE KISSEL: Yes I do. As a general rule I don't think the government should ever be in a business where it competes with private industry. But, only with the understanding that this airport is what it is. Attempting to expand Briscoe Field now for larger commercial flights is approximately 15 to 20 years too late. This area is currently developed with too many homes, schools, a hospital and other public facilities for the airport to be expanded now.

CHARLOTTE NASH: If privatization is dependent on expansion to provide scheduled passenger service, then my first priority would have to be the protection of existing neighborhoods, schools, churches and businesses. I am sympathetic to the folks who would be most directly affected and to the uncertainty and anxiety which they are feeling. I cannot support airport expansion as long as the community feels so threatened by the potential effects.

Briscoe Field could perhaps be successfully privatized without changing its current usage and designation as a general use airport. The feasibility and value of privatizing the airport while maintaining its current usage would need to be evaluated based upon the specific benefits and costs for any proposed arrangement. One caveat that I would place on privatization is that the county needs to retain control of decisions that govern usage and designation.

WILL COSTA: I fully support privatization of Briscoe Field. The county and the city can still have a say so on the type of air traffic that goes in and out of the airport and the airport will still generate revenue like any other business. The major benefit will be that the county will no longer be distracted with the day-to- day operations and the temptation of unethical behavior associated with governments running “for profit” will be gone.  

LARRY GAUSE: I do support the privatization of Briscoe Field, but then I support less government so privatization of the airport is not much of a stretch for me. This should be a ballot initiative that the voters of Gwinnett County should have a voice come the next election. The proposal submitted by Propeller Investment to expand the runway and build a terminal with 10 gates in order to support approximately 20 commercial flights daily makes sense. Privatization is the only means by which an airport can opt-out of the Federal Government’s requirement to have federally employed Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screeners. These federal employees require high tax-payer funded salaries and retirement packages. Privately employed screeners would also be able to use more specific screening techniques to increase passenger safety. Privatization would also allow the proceeds from the revenue that Briscoe Field generates to be used for non-airport related projects including county projects. Expansion of the airport would help promote and grow area businesses. For example, the Gwinnett Civic Center could compete with other convention center facilities, like Charlotte and even the Atlanta International Convention Center, in order to host conventions and tradeshows.

Additionally, traffic flow on Hwy. 316 would need to be addressed before any expansion of the airport could be addressed. Otherwise we are putting the cart before the horse.  With regard to Hwy. 316, I would like to see traffic flow much like on an interstate, with no traffic lights affecting the flow between Athens and Atlanta. 

COMING UP TOMORROW: Candidates weigh in on the county trash plan.