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Leaders Upset Over Airport Name
10/09/09 - 04:18 PM
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Heather Kretzer - bio
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Bay County, Fla:

Some Bay County leaders are upset about the name that was chosen for the new airport, Northwest Florida-Panama City International.

Bay County Commissioner Mike Thomas, Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst, and Panama City Beach Council members Rick Russell and Bobby Bolton are writing letters to the airport board expressing their disappointment.

They feel that including Panama City in the name excludes other cities and counties in the region that worked hard to have a new airport built.

The letters are below.


Names Considered
Northwest Florida International
Florida International
Emerald Coast International
Florida Beaches International
Beaches International

Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst

Gentlemen:

It was with regret that I learned the name that was selected for the newest airport in Florida.  I sincerely hope that you will reconsider and choose a name that is truly regional in nature and scope.

This airport is a milestone for all of this area in many ways: the new industry that will grow, the increase in the tourism business, the first time this area including the surrounding counties has worked together to make the airport and the future to happen, and the overall increase in the quality of life for our residents.

I think we can safely say that there are so many other names including those listed in the top five selections under consideration that more represent the nature of what is happening here.  What a wonderful opportunity we have and it is a shame not to take advantage of it. Northwest Florida has already been taken by another airport and Panama City denotes such a narrow scope (one city of many).

Once again I would request that you reconsider, think regional, and do what is best for Bay County and our regional partners.

Gayle F. Oberst
Mayor City of Panama City Beach


Panama City Beach Council Members

Dear Sirs:

As City Councilmen in Panama City Beach, we were concerned when we learned the name that was selected for the newest airport in Florida. We would like to request that you reconsider and choose a name that is truly regional in nature and scope.

So many individuals, counties, cities, and organizations have worked to bring this airport into existence. This airport is a milestone for all of this area in many ways: the new industry that will grow, the increase in the tourism business, the first time this area including the surrounding counties has worked together to make the airport and the future to happen, and the overall increase in the quality of life for our residents.

Once again in your selection of a name, our County has shown a lack of working together, looking to the future, and letting go of individualism. There are many other names including those listed in the top five selections under consideration that more represent the nature of what is happening here.  Northwest Florida has already been taken by another airport and Panama City denotes such a narrow scope (one city of many),

Once again we would request that you reconsider, think regional, and do what is best for Bay County and our regional partners.

Rick Russell, Bobby Bolton,
City Councilman, Ward 2 City Councilman, Ward 3


Bay County Commissioner Mike Thomas

Dear Sirs:

Back when I first ran for the Bay County Commission, one of you on the Airport Authority pulled me aside and asked me if I would be able to “take my Panama City Beach hat off and put on a Bay County hat.”Each of you should’ve asked yourselves a similar question when you woke up this morning as it relates to your duty to serve the entire regional area with the naming of the new airport.

What you have done today by naming the new airport the “Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport” amounts to a slap in the face to all of those people in the entire region who have worked very hard and put up their money, time and resources to make this project work. It is bigger than Panama City; it is bigger than Bay County, and the airport’s name should not represent any one area. People in counties to the north, west and east of Bay have worked in an effort to make this facility a success.

I’m sure you have all been disappointed with some of my votes in the past, and for that I am truly sorry and would be willing to reexamine those. But I certainly hope that you all will reexamine what you’ve done today and make this wrong a right.

Sincerely

Mike Thomas
Bay County Commissioner District 5
     

User Comments

Lets see, a new name for an airport that we the people didnt vote for, didnt want, and are going to be continually taxed in one form or another to support, maybe Benedict Arnold International, or how about Obama International, as he too seems to think that what prople want is not inportant, only what his socialist associates want matters, sounds like a familiar tune…

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/10  at  03:00 PM

Is it in walton county or Bay county?
If it is in Bay county it should be called ‘Panama City International Airport(PCI)’.
Hey John what airport are you flying into? The Emerald Coast International airport. Hey John where is that? Oh it’s in Panama City, FL.
Okay now let’s try it the other way.
Hey John what airport are you flying into? Panama City International airport. Oh so your going to Panama City Beach huh, well have fun don’t get to much sun.
People all over the world don’t know where Emerald Coast is, but they know where Panama City is, it’s one of the most popular beaches in the world. Why wouldn’t you put Panama City in the name title of the airport. The only reason you wouldn’t want PC in the title is if you don’t live in PC. If you live here surely you would want that extra publicity for your city.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/10  at  01:50 PM

“They” should really call it the South Walton County Airport. “They” built them one fine airport, for sure.
“They” being our masters. Masters because they can ignore public opinion for any whim.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/10  at  09:13 AM

Emerald Coast International Airport seems to me the name that contains the heart of many communities in this region for why they all began in the first place. So many come to see or settle down by the emerald coast line. This state of art access point should represent itself with a name that says it for everyone.
North, south, east, west, we all have so much to offer by way of natural relaxation that it is ease on the eyes of life which brings the tourist and businesses to our communities.
The Emerald Coast International Airport will have a tremendous impact across many miles that connect the counties,cities,and towns.
Let’s keep it simple to remember
ECI (in time will be quickly pronounced “easy eye”)
Breathe Well

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/10  at  08:49 AM

They just need to name it ( the wast of tax payer’s money, Air port)

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/09  at  09:10 PM

If you don’t want to pay the $2 then walk on the beach not the pier or you could vote for a tax increase to cover the cost of daily up keep of the area. I myself rather them charge $2 a head to walk on the pier than increase taxes because I can think of plenty of other places I’d rather walk.
As for the airport, where is located again?
Is it in Panama City, FL? or Panama City Beach, FL?
Let’s see what is the name of that airport in Orlando? oh yeah Orlando International Airport. How about that airport in Tampa? oh yeah Tampa International Airport. How about the airport over near Tallahassee, what is the name of that airport again? oh yeah Tallahassee Regional Airport. How about that airport over around Pensacola, what is that name of that airport? Oh yeah Pensacola Regional Airport.
Wow I wonder why they decided to name this airport Northwest Florida-Panama City International, they act like the airport is in Panama city or something, oh yeah it is in PANAMA CITY!! give me a break

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/09  at  09:01 PM

The Beach Officials will be voted out of office, soon, as they have not protected the interests of Beach residents and have no vision.
they should have never charged RESIDENTS, especially senior citizens, to walk on the sacred pier.
Every senior I talk to is outraged about this charge. We didn’t mind paying $10.00 for our yearly pass but never expected you would virtually rape us. We will vote you all out as we are organized.
Goodbye mayor and city council, we won’t miss any of you.

Posted by retired one  on  10/09  at  07:41 PM

Yes they need a different name for the airport. Retired One you need to realize nothing is free anymore and get over your complex on the $2.00 charge. You can’t even get free air anymore at the gas station.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/09  at  07:05 PM

retired one, you and have exchanged comments on a few issues here, but I agree.  This is a stupid name.  Why could they not find a solid figurehead from the past to name it after.  I was at the Bay County Library with my sons the other day and saw a fantastic display for Col Mozley (not sure about the spelling).  I am sure he is not the only person from this region who was honorable…there have to be others.  But yes, I agree with you, the name is bad and having to pay to walk a pier I have already helped pay for is wrong as well.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/09  at  05:08 PM

I agree. It should be called “Panama City Beach Where You Can’t See The Beaches And Get Charged $2.00 To Walk On The Pier International Airport.”
Designate it as SCRW. That way, at least, the tourists will know what they’re getting.

Posted by retired one  on  10/09  at  04:56 PM
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