Contract Signed, New Airport Director Begins Work June 10

<p>Cindi Martin, who was offered the director position a month ago, has accepted a three-year contract, airport commission chairman Robert Rosenbaum confirmed.</p>

The Martha’s Vineyard Airport has a new director.

Cindi Martin, who was offered the position a month ago, has accepted a three-year contract, airport commission chairman Robert Rosenbaum confirmed on Friday.

Ms. Martin will be paid an annual salary of $165,000 with benefits that include a $2,000 monthly housing stipend, according to Mr. Rosenbaum.

She is the former head of Glacier Park International Airport, a small airport in Montana that she ran for 10 years until 2016. Since retiring from that job she has worked as a contractor for the American Association of Airport Executives.

Airport director Ann Richart’s last day was May 5; she did not renew her contract after three years on the job. Her annual salary was $166,900.

Mr. Rosenbaum said Ms. Martin will begin work on June 10.

“I personally am thrilled,” he told the Gazette by phone. “All of her background checks and references are quite stellar.”

He said Ms. Martin came to the Island May 1 and spent three days working with Ms. Richart to smooth the transition process.

“She’s participated in a land use committee meeting, an airport commission meeting yesterday,” Mr. Rosenbaum said. “Just in dealings I’ve had and other commissioners have had with her in that period of time, as well as the staff, they were all really positive and enthusiastic. She really seems to have a good handle on the airport operations sort of things, as well as the financial piece, which has been a concern. She’s basically said, I want to know where every penny is going, and where every penny is coming from.”

Mr. Rosenbaum said Ms. Martin has secured temporary housing and is looking for permanent housing.

“I’m looking forward to having her come on board full time,” he said.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/12/2019 - 10:09

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Eric Vineyard Haven

When will the Island community begin to have conversations to limit growth at the airport and dare I suggest reducing traffic. The growing airport is one of many entities which we the voters have a say over keeps extending its flights and services which is not always to the benefit of the year round population. And with the growing and scary scenario that chemicals from the airport which are poisoning water wells for our population here on Martha's Vineyard should be more than enough reason to start the conversations needed..

fact checker edg

The airport is part of the national airspace system and funded by the federal government grants, fees, etc for improvements above the income generated locally with rents, landing fees, fuel sales etc.. As such, it keeps local communities from trying to impose traffic limits. There are only 4 'slot controlled' airports in the USA. LaGuardia, JFK, Ohare and Washington National. This is strictly to accommodate traffic flow. The airport does not 'grow'. If there is a demand, commercial operators (airlines) will provide the flights. If nobody buys an airline ticket and there is no demand, then there won't be airline flights. Due to commercial operators selling 'per seat' flights from the NYC metro area, that actually reduced traffic counts since these wealthy people share a Pilatus or Caravan with up to a dozen other passenger, instead of having a dozen Seneca's or King Airs flying them each. Any 'growth' is to accommodate traffic with a place to park. If they cant park, they leave and park at new Bedford, then come back to pick up passenger. This creates MORE traffic. Do you really think some rich guy says to his wife 'hi honey lets fire up the gulfstream and visit MVY to see a new parking ramp or terminal?" (ps the terminal is for airlines- the general aviation has a Spartan basic 'room' for flight planning and watching tv'). If you dont have sufficient auto parking, then rather than leave a vehicle at the airport, it creates multiple trips for for drop off and pick up of passengers, which means MORE auto traffic..The 'growth' is in the business park which accomodates local NON-aviation businesses. Where do you want them to go-a residential neighborhood?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/12/2019 - 14:21

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Islander

When is everyone going to realize that Ann Crook did nothing special for this Island. The prior administration got funding just as she did but without the help of consultants. Look at what it costs to run the airport now vs what it cost to run the airport 10 years ago. We arent any better off.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 09:15

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CItation Requested Oak Bluffs

Islander - "Look at what it costs to run the airport now vs what it cost to run the airport 10 years ago. We arent any better off." 1) Please provide a link to or direct data. What are the 2 numbers? 2) Were you expecting the number to remain the same or decrease? The Cost of living in the Boston market increased about 21% in the past 10 years.

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