PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh International Airport Manager Tom Long has resigned, leaving the county to find a replacement at a critical time.
"The timing of this is not the best, but we go through things like this all the time, and we work through it," Clinton County Legislature Chairman Jimmy Langley (R-Area 7, Peru) said Tuesday.
Long turned his resignation in Monday, citing personal reasons.
He took the $88,609 job in March 2009, coming from Indiana.
Long could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
The airport has experienced tremendous growth since it opened in 2007, and the county is in the midst of a major expansion of the terminal.
The county also learned recently that it was accepted for another round of funding from the Military Airport Program. The airport was built largely by about $40 million of MAPS funding.
But it has not all been smooth sailing at the airport.
Pinnacle Airlines recently announced that it would no longer provide daily service to Boston under the federal Essential Air Service Program.
Pinnacle began the service — to big acclaim from local officials — through its Colgan Airlines subsidiary in June 2010, using 34-passenger aircraft.
Pinnacle must continue to fly until a replacement airline can be found.
The airport has also had to deal with parking issues and long delays at the cramped ticket counter and Transportation Security Agency lines.
The county began charging for parking this past spring, which has bolstered airport revenues.
Langley said it is important to find a solid replacement for Long as soon as possible.
It's an important position, no doubt. Some feel it might be the most important position in the county."
Legislator Robert Heins (R-Area 10, City of Plattsburgh), who chairs the county's Airport Committee, said the search will begin almost immediately.
"We will interview and find the best and most qualified candidate and move on," he said.
"This is an important time, and we do have a lot of critical decisions to make."
In the interim, Mike Korotkow, the airport facilities manager, will serve as the temporary deputy manager and will handle the day-to-day duties.
Email Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
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