FALLS CREEK -The economy has led the Clearfield-Jefferson Counties Regional Airport Authority to eliminate the positions of marketing director and line serviceman. Additionally, the authority's nine remaining employees were cut back to a 35-hour work week.
The marketing director's position, which was part-time, was eliminated April 1.
The line serviceman, who was responsible for grounds and terminal maintenance, was eliminated April 20. The job was a full-time position.
Airport Manager Bob Shaffer said between the two positions and the cut back of employee hours, the airport authority is estimated to save about $3,800 per month.
The hour cutbacks will be definite until Oct. 1.
As for the two position cuts, Shaffer said they are permanent, but he hopes the cuts can be reconsidered when the economy rebounds.
"This is (in) no way a reflection of the airline business. As you can see through the various charts, the airline continues to do well," Shaffer said. "We've made those changes and it was a difficult thing to do, but financially it was important for the authority to do. It has no reflection on the airline or the operation of the airport, it's just something we had to do to right size everything and meet the demands of today."
Shaffer said various changes have been made to the employee handbook. Employees will no longer have any personal days. Shaffer said this is something which has been in effect for quite some time, but was not reflected in the employee handbook.
Also, employees must give a two week notice when taking vacation days, and paid holidays are no longer floating days which can be used at an employees discretion.
Also discussed:
* Heaton Construction Inc., a subcontractor on the airport project, will soon complete the line painting which was unsatisfactory in the spring. Shaffer said the company completed the line painting, applying the paint too thick while the pavement was still warm. This application caused the pavement to raise and be pitted.
The affected areas of pavement have been patched and Shaffer said it's "about as good as we're going to get." It will be repainted this spring.
* A $63,000 line of credit from Community First Bank was approved to be extended. This money was used to purchase the Air Commerce Park from the Federal Aviation Administration.
* On May 16 an FAA safety seminar will be held at the airport.
* Currently, seven acres of property, which is located across Route 830 from the airport, is being appraised and will be up for sale.
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Reported by Katie Weidenboerner, Tri-County Sunday. Email: katiew@thecourierexpress.com.