County council will appoint additional members to airport commission
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Citing an ever-increasing workload, Cherokee County Council agreed this week to increase the number of seats on the airport commission.

Under a motion that passed unanimously, the 3- member commission could expand to as many as 10 members. Each council member has the option of appointing a member, who isn't required to reside in that council member's district.

The three existing commission members - John Travers, Vic Sarratt and Bill Van Antwerp - would serve as at-large appointees, according to the motion.

Cherokee County Councilman Bailey Humphries said the existing commission members need additional manpower to complete their site selection work and recommended Gene Moorhead, Randy Hammett, Joe Bonner, Robert Petty and Robert Vleig be added to the commission.

But council chairman Hoke Parris said he wanted council to have more say in the appointments.

"I don't want one councilman (Humphries) appointing all the members," Parris said.

Council agreed to make the appointments at its next meeting.

The airport commission has been busy selecting potential sites for the proposed facility.

The feasibility report estimated that 577 acres would be required for the airport, with 192 acres being acquired in fee simple or easement.

Cherokee is the only county in the state without a general aviation airport.