Selecting New Airport Manager

Jerry B. Epstein, in his article “LAX as Retirement Home for the Mayor’s Cronies” (Commentary, Dec. 21), has recited a litany of accusations and inaccuracies more in the spirit of a political harangue than truly descriptive of the actions of the Board of Airport Commissioners.

The board’s selection of John J. Driscoll as Department of Airports executive director was anything but the “secretive” process blasted by Epstein. The recruitment process really began last September, when Clifton A. Moore’s decision to retire from the position was widely publicized. As a matter of fact in a letter on Sept. 11, I informed all members of the City Council about the process and encouraged them to make “comments and recommendations regarding this important city decision.” Later, the city Personnel Department followed up with more formal contact with scores of prospects worldwide.

Certainly, the interviews with finalists were conducted confidentially to protect candidates who did not want current employers to know of their interest. The bottom line, however, is that the City Council had a full opportunity to publicly review the Airport Commission’s decision and chose not to do so.

Epstein’s disparagement of Driscoll as a “novice” is most unjust. There is no shortage of management staff at the Department of Airports with strong technical knowledge of aviation. In hiring Driscoll, the board was not looking for someone technically “smarter” than everyone else at LAX. We were seeking someone with proven managerial and interpersonal skills to keep our airport system moving ahead as an engine of regional economic development. In his 15 years as director of our city’s Personnel Department, Driscoll has won wide respect for his demonstrated abilities in building an effective city work force and in motivating managers and other employees to do their best work.

Some response also is required to Epstein’s inaccurate or incomplete accounts of landing fee calculations, passenger facilities charges, LAX northside planning, and development at Ontario and Palmdale airports.

The complex issues involved in revising aircraft landing fee calculations have been discussed at numerous public meetings of the Airport Commission.

Regarding the $3 passenger facility charge (PFC) on each traveler at LAX, we anticipate that this will be in place by July following approval by the FAA. Projected revenues are earmarked for ground transportation improvements, noise mitigation and a new terminal at Ontario Airport. The anticipated start-up date for the PFC has caused no delay in the implementation of any airport project.

Major construction has been under way for some time in the LAX northside development area. Nearing completion is the six-lane Westchester Parkway, a major east-west connector street, which will ease congestion elsewhere in the airport area and provide access to future developments on the northside.

At Ontario Airport, construction is about to begin on a federal inspection facility which will make international airline arrivals from Mexico a reality there by summer. This will provide relief from some of the congestion now associated with the arrival of all such flights at LAX. We also plan to break ground in early 1993 for a completely new terminal at Ontario.

Palmdale Airport remains an important part of our future planning. However, to rush ahead now with construction of major facilities would be irresponsible in view of the economic slow-down and the reluctance of airlines to commit to major service there at this time.

ROBERT A. CHICK, President

L.A. Board of Airport Commissioners