In light of recent meetings, discussions, and ideas being tossed around by City of Vicksburg officials, I have to wonder if the residents of this city are aware of the deplorable conditions at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport.

To boast about having an airport that “may” or “does” attract businesses and benefit the economic development of this city is a joke!

How many of you have ever taken the time to go to the Vicksburg airport and just looked around?

I mean, really look at the grounds, the runway, the taxiways and the hangars.

It might be eye opening for many of you, and even appalling for most of you, as it was for me.

Any business that may have an interest in coming here would never allow their expensive planes to be housed in the main hangars, considering the shape they’re in. It is not only an embarrassment, but safety has to be a big issue in those buildings, and definitely a health hazard to anyone spending any length of time inside those hangars.

Mold and several leaks in the ceiling inside the terminal building, taxiways that are not maintained correctly, two hangars in deplorable conditions with massive water leaks, no running water, no operational restroom facilities, floor drains that either don’t work or are incredibly slow, filth that is indescribable and a bird aviary that deposits their dead flock on the floor.

The money required to bring the municipal airport up to code goes well beyond putting in an approach path indicator and cutting down trees.

Those are important fixes, but so are the problems that are already in existence.

The conditions at VTR are much better. The hangars and grounds are in better condition and are well maintained. VTR staff works seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, which the municipal airport director ended in Vicksburg. VTR has employees that have the needed knowledge and experience.

I don’t have the time to go into detailed management of the airport, but by the conditions of the airport I’ve described.

The mayor and municipal airport director replaced one of the most knowledgeable and experienced persons in Vicksburg with two employees that have minimal knowledge and even less experience, and the director is here part-time at best, and is not even a “local.”

I’m not saying I have all of the answers, maybe not any answers at all. What I am saying is, don’t be fooled by what you’re being shown because you are not being given the entire picture.

Neva Price

Vicksburg