City Council Hears Public Comments on Airport, Boxing Matches, Pride Event

By Christopher Miller

LOCK HAVEN – City Council heard numerous public comments during Monday evening’s bi-monthly council meeting.

Lock Haven resident and airplane owner Nils Mantzoros spoke to city council, expressing concern for the new fence to be constructed at the airport.

“The fencing is new with federal money and needs to be ADA compliant,” he informed city council. “The plans for the fence do not show that. We have a pilot who is wheelchair-bound and would need access to the airport. This has to be an issue that someone should look into and what the added expenses may be.”

Another person with interest in the airport as a plane owner, Craig, questioned who is responsible for security at the airport.

“The gate was open for over two years,” he said. “I asked city council on May 19 about it and they said they would look into it. I wrote a letter to the FAA and then the gate was pushed closed. The existing fence does seem too secure and we are skeptical.”

City Manager Greg Wilson stepped in, saying that he will speak to the Airport Manager and they they have both closed the gates because pilots who use the gates tend to not close them after entering or exiting the airport and that “it needs to be secured.”

Mayor Joel Long added that it is the city’s responsibility to make sure it is secured and the city will take care of that.

Ken Cooper, who was instrumental in bringing the Summer Showdown boxing matches to Lock Haven two weeks ago thanked the city and everyone involved for allowing the matches to be held downtown.

“On behalf of the boxing team, the coach, and myself, thank you very much for allowing us to have the showdown happen in downtown,” he said. “It was good for the city, the businesses, and was a very successful event. I think we picked up a lot of new boxing fans because of it.”

Mayor Long echoed, saying that he personally thanks Ken for planning the event and putting it on.

Cooper then offered to make this “a year event in the city,” saying that he “would love to help the city and local businesses.”

Lastly, resident Bre Brennan thanked the city council for allowing the Clinton County Pride Alliance to hold their event on Vesper Street at the end of June.

“Thank you, council, for allowing us to have Vesper Street closed for the event. We brought in over 500 people, and businesses reported that they were very busy with people who do not normally shop downtown,” she said.

“Also, the summer concert series has been amazing.”