State to study possible regional airport
By Barry H. Hendrix Contributing Writer

A meeting on a proposed $10 million regional airport will be held Thursday morning, March 13 in the council chambers at Thomasville City Hall.

Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day told the city council Monday night that the state aeronautics board had paid for a study by Garver Engineers of Huntsville costing in the range of $165,000 to $175,000.

"The intention of the study is access all airports in the region and then access brand new green field sites," Day said.

Clarke, Choctaw and Marengo Counties are participating, he said. The advisory committee includes representatives from municipalities such as Thomasville, Linden, Butler, Pine Hill and Grove Hill.

The airport would help attract businesses, particularly military contractors, to Thomasville, the mayor said.

The closest airport to Thomasville is Pine Hill, and that airport is landlocked as well as being in need of extensive repairs and upgrades.

Pine Hill officials say they have held off as long as they can from making the upgrades due to budget constraints.

But Mayor Harry Mason fears the Pine Hill airport may be shut down if some work isn't done soon.

He has received permission from the Pine Hill council to pursue some clearing and repair work at the airport.

But even if a regional airport is slated for this area, officials warn the project could take many years to complete.

In other action from Monday's meeting, Mayor Day said there is talk of installing an armed forces memorial on the side of the hill next to the new civic center. Donofro and Associates architects of Dothan will donate the design work for the memorial. "We've already had to some interest from different groups who would like to participate and raise money for this project," he said.

• William McNair will be promoted to corporal in the Thomasville Police Department.

• The city development office will advertise for a temporary college intern position. The employee will work 10 to 20- hours-a-week from April to August.

• The city is negotiating to reduce the price of renovating the Boys and Girls Club. The bids came in over budget, and Mayor Day said cost adjustments are being sought on the roof replacement. If the adjusted price is not approved, the job will have to be rebid.

• The next bill toward the construction of the new community center, approximately $180,178.57, was approved for payment.

• The council approved a resolution on part two of work on the south industrial park access road.

• The council approved a Christian rock concert for 6 p.m. on April 12 at Thomasville High School.

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