Glover's full comments on firing of airports director

I'll be heading to the Gulf Coast soon to cover the oil spill, so the blog will be pretty quiet this week. (Check Twitter for updates, though: www.twitter.com/akcausey.)

Since Mayor Cedric Glover's news release came in late in the production day Friday (he didn't respond to interview requests), I thought I'd post all of it here. It's his response to Council Chairowman (and mayor pro tem while Glover is out of state) Joyce Bowman firing Shreveport airports director Roy Miller.

MAYOR GLOVER COMMENTS ON MAYOR PRO TEM’S TERMINATION OF AIRPORT DIRECTOR

From the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mayor Cedric B. Glover issues the following statement:

“I have been advised by the Mayor Pro Tem of the termination of the City’s Airport Director Roy Miller.  In accordance with the City Charter she was certainly within her rights and authority and was empowered to do so as Mayor Pro Tem. She was not required to and did not consult with me before taking this action.  Although I am not fully aware of her reasons, as of today Mr. Miller’s termination is legitimate and he has been relieved of all duties.    

While I have long advocated for change in our airport operations based upon the challenges of limited options and high air fares, this change must extend beyond the mere replacement of the airport director.  Obviously, there are those who are dissatisfied with Mr. Miller’s performance, however the Airport Director is nominated by the Airport Authority and it is this same Authority that just two months ago gave Mr. Miller a unanimous vote of confidence.  And they have not given me any indication of a change in their position. 

With Mr. Miller’s termination, the City’s Code of Ordinances requires that the Airport Authority nominate a director to the Mayor.  In order to truly effect change even at the director level, it may be necessary now to recognize that change must be made at the  Authority level.

Although I previously sought to make changes in the composition of the Authority, I am encouraged that with this action the Council Chair and the Council may be open to sitting down and discussing the need to make adjustments in the composition of the board.   

I look forward to meeting with the Council Chair and members of the Council upon my return as well as discussions with the Airport Authority itself in reviewing this situation and making a determination on how we go forward.   

The current operations at the airport are in need of much improvement.  We will continue the work of the Northwest Louisiana Air Service Task Force as they seek ways to enhance, and improve our operations and service.  I am encouraged by the work they have done so far and I look forward to their recommendations on how we can improve the operations and levels of service at Shreveport Regional Airport.”