Despite a movement to improve the Vicksburg Municipal Airport, the seven-member airport board is struggling with absenteeism that is hindering airport progress, said board member Don Brown.

&#8220We’re in a very infant stage,” Brown said of the board formed in August by the City Board.

After a meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled because of a lack of a quorum, Brown said the 8 a.m. meeting time might be making it difficult for some members to make it.

It was the second monthly meeting in a row at which a quorum was not present.

&#8220It’s frustrating,” Brown said. &#8220I think they’re all well-intentioned. We know there’s a great need down here, and we want to make this airport competitive with any.”

The airport board was created by city officials to manage the budget and take over the responsibility of the city-owned airport on U.S. 61 South.

Brown, vice president of the board, was the only member at the airport on Thursday.

The other members of the board are board president Kimble Slaton, secretary Jay Kilroy, treasurer Bobby Burkes, Mark Stanley and Donald Cross. Citing an conflict for attending meetings, Louis Sullivan last month submitted his resignation to the City Board.

Because no meeting was held Thursday, the appointment of a replacement for Sullivan was also pushed back.

&#8220They’re supposed to make a recommendation,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens.

After a recommendation, the City Board will begin the appointment process.

Three members – Slaton, Cross and Brown – attended the Jan. 5 meeting.

Kilroy, whose position as secretary requires him to keep roll, said Burkes had not attended the past three meetings and Stanley had not attended the past four.

Stanley, a physician, said later Thursday that the meeting time has made it difficult for him to attend the meetings.

&#8220I really want to help, but unfortunately I don’t know exactly how we came up with the 8 a.m. meeting time,” said Stanley, who is also a licensed pilot. &#8220It’s the worst conceivable time when you’re a physician. I really want to help, but I just can’t do this at that time of the morning.”

&#8220I really want to help especially since I appear to be the only one on the board with any aviation experience at all. It’s really difficult for me because I really want to help the airport.”

Stanley said communication has been a problem among board members.

Airport manager Frank May also said communication is a problem. He said he has not been sufficiently notified about meetings, which are held at the airport.

The board is attempting to use what is left of a $650,000 state grant to make improvements to the airport. Since the board was created in August, it has ordered radio-controlled runway lights and begun getting price quotes for the installation of T-hangars to house aircraft. The T-hangars are not eligible to be paid for by the grant.