<p>The Martha's Vineyard Airport Commission has called a special meeting in executive session for next Wednesday following a domestic disburbance involving the airport manager.
The manager of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport was involved in a domestic disturbance last Friday that resulted in the arrest of his wife and dual restraining orders between the two, police reports show.
Detailed reports prepared by Edgartown police recount a scene in which Rebecca Donnelly allegedly threw a can of fruit punch at Sean C. Flynn after they argued over her claims that he had been abusing prescription drugs.
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission has scheduled a special executive session for Wednesday; the time of the meeting was changed to noon as of Monday this week.
The notice of the meeting that was emailed to commissioners last Thursday included an attached copy of the police report.
“I’m very grateful that we’re having a meeting,” airport commissioner Christine Todd told the Gazette Thursday afternoon. “I have a lot of questions for my fellow commissioners and I have a lot of questions for the manager,” she said.
Airport commission chairman Norman Perry, who called the executive session, said he had seen the police report, but had no comment on it. He said Mr. Flynn had been at work this week.
The Gazette attempted to reach Mr. Flynn by telephone and email on Thursday but had not received a reply by 6 p.m.
The airport commission has been grappling with a variety of personnel issues over the past few months, in public and private meetings, starting with a complaint brought by former employee Beth Tessmer against Mr. Flynn, charging sexual harassment and workplace retaliation. Ms. Tessmer was subsequently terminated and is appealing her dismissal.
Separately, the airport commission — which is appointed by the county commission — has filed a lawsuit against the county, asking a judge to declare its legal autonomy in managing and administering airport affairs. That case is pending in Dukes County superior court.
Airport commissioners have also been wrangling over the development of a personnel policy which could include a clause governing drug and alcohol use in the workplace by nonunion employees, including management. The issue remains unsettled.
Mr. Flynn has been airport manager since 2005. His contract extends through June 2015.
According to police, Mr. Flynn’s wife, Rebecca Donnelly, was arrested and charged with assault and battery Friday afternoon following a disturbance at the home they share in Edgartown.
In two detailed police reports, Edgartown Det. Sgt. Chris Dolby and officer William Bishop said the argument centered around Mr. Flynn’s use of prescription medication. Ms. Donnelly allegedly drove to the Edgartown police station with Mr. Flynn’s prescription medications.
“She said he can no longer function normally and can’t even drive a car today, which is why he didn’t go to work this morning,” Sergeant Dolby said in his report.
In an interview with police, Mr. Flynn denied that he had a problem, though he did acknowledge the effects of the medications on his behavior.
“Flynn stated that he knew his speech was different, his attitude had changed, his mobility had changed, and that he was a different person,” Officer Bishop wrote in a separate report.
In the report, the police noted that Mr. Flynn exhibited slurred speech, a lack of balance, and less than favorable motor skills.
After escorting him to his home to collect his belongings, the police would not let him drive his truck.
The Hon. Tracie Lee Lyons issued dual restraining orders for Mr. Flynn and Ms. Donnelly, at their request.
Pertaining to the order, Mr. Flynn was required to surrender his firearms license, any firearms and any ammunition, according to the police report. In the course of responding to the incident and the issuance of the restraining orders, Edgartown police contacted West Tisbury police chief Daniel R. Rossi Friday. Chief Rossi raised concerns that Mr. Flynn might have access to firearms at his place of work, the police report shows, and a search ensued at the airport. None were found.
Ms. Todd told the Gazette Thursday that she and other members of the commission had requested that Mr. Perry schedule a meeting earlier than next week. “I was hoping that we would have met by the end of this week,” she said. “I have pushed and other members of the commission have pushed . . . I’m encouraged though that we are going to meet and I’m sorry that it took awhile to get to that.”

Comments
Olivia after this reporting,
H.M.T vhOlivia after this reporting, shows that you aren't in a pocket fantastic job!!!!
What can a person say but WOW
concerned tisburyWhat can a person say but WOW this is what the airport has been hiding and the main reason for not having a drug testing policy in place. I feel so bad for Rebecca and the kids. How much pain and embarrassment will they have to endure before Mr. Flynn gets help. And Mr. Perry are you happy that you enabled this to go on by making one excuse after another to protect him? I have also heard that Mr. Flynn has not been at work for the full week. And if he was at work was he there physically AND mentally? The airport commissioners should be kicked off the board all except Ms. Todd and Mr. Michelson. To the others, please please resign.
Excellent job Ms. Hull !
Dean Webber EdgartownExcellent job Ms. Hull ! Maybe now the Airport Commission will have to take action. Beth Tessmer repeatedly tried to tell the Commission that Flynn was impaired while working and was denied. She was promoted to management so that he could fire her without union protection. Now Flynn goes after his wife and according to the police report threatens to ruin her life ! Flynn has a problem with anyone who stands up to him. Look at the lawsuit against the county, yet another woman, Noreen Flanders, asking for info on bills to be paid ! There are many more people and vendors that have had gone against Flynn and "lost". It's time for the Airport Commission to do their job and take action. Flynn speaks at the meetings and runs these meetings. The last commission meeting he said that AV gas was up 45 percent. Up from when? AV gas is for small planes and the weather dictates how many of those aircraft use the airport. Also they generally only take small amount of fuel. 20 gallons maybe at most. The weather was not great so traffic was down. Is he telling the truth ? Where does it end ? And on a side note who is running the AIRPORT, NOT Flynn he's in court today, the assistant manager is away in Colorado and the three supervisors are off.
To the Gazette and Ms. Hull I
oldtimer ChilmarkTo the Gazette and Ms. Hull I commend you for following the unfolding story at the Airport. To the "Times" it confirms that you have a connection with Mr. Flynn and are part of the cover up. As a casual observer I've seen the transformation of Mr. Flynn for over two years well before his leg injury and if there is an addiction problem it should have been addressed a long time ago. Shame on the Airport Commission and Debbie Potter for hiding this, how do you sleep at night knowing the possibility that Mr. Flynn could do harm to himself, his family or an innocent victim walking or driving near him? The photo at the top says it all, its time for all their "DEPARTURES".
Stunning. The fog slowly
BillyB OBStunning. The fog slowly begins to lift from our airport and the rest of us can begin to see what has been going on. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said "Sun is the best disinfectant." Thank you, Vineyard Gazette, for being the sun on this apparent cover up.
Just imagine what we don't
In the know West TisburyJust imagine what we don't know about...
As I watched the meetings, I
VeryAnnoyed Vineyard HavenAs I watched the meetings, I noticed that Mr. Flynn seemed out of sorts. I found it disrespectful that he did not remove his baseball cap while at the meeting nor being indoors.
I can see a nice severance
Jack WTI can see a nice severance package on the table... Just wait and see. If this was the private sector none of this would be going on...
So where does this put
Joe the pilot EdgartownSo where does this put personal by laws that need to be cleansed ? Maybe we should ask Connie ! Oh that's right she doesn't know where they are !! Motion to adjourn !
More mediation ? Or was it
Watching from the back EdgartownMore mediation ? Or was it medication ? Time to find a new manager and get things right !
oldtimer, Chilmark ---- Do
~Woody Williams~oldtimer, Chilmark ---- Do Not blame Deb Potter for anything unless you can back up your comments!
Granted there could possibly be negative evidence against Sean Flynn and the airport commissioners but unless you can point something out against Deb Potter which there is none to date I would zip it!
Also have some cahoonies and let us know who you are when you are trashing her as well! You know something we all dont? Advise!
I wonder if she was not a
Oldtimer ChilmarkI wonder if she was not a Marine you would be commenting in her defense. As we have all seen these "meetings" and read the news reports it is starting to show there is a cover up to protect Mr. Flynn by the commission and the management at the Airport. I guess we will have to wait for the numerous law suits to find the truth. Thank you for your service to our country.
wonder what Mr. John Alley is
cera vhwonder what Mr. John Alley is thinking now? If they let Ms Tessmer speak & voice her concerns this may have been avoided. The Commission needs to be open to BOTH sides!
This story doesn't surprise
Carla Cooper EdgartownThis story doesn't surprise me at all. I have a great deal of compassion for people with addiction problems. But there is too much tolerance and enabling going on out here. There are drug addicts everywhere you look and the physicians just keep writing those prescriptions and calling in refills.
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