Airport Manager Steve Sievek expressed disappointment with what he saw as the lack of action by Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., as the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission deals with eventually replacing Delta Airlines.
Cravaack’s communications director, Michael J. Bars, issued a statement in response to the criticism.
“Under law it is the duty of the Department of Transportation to solicit proposals from carriers willing to provide service to the Brainerd Airport. Although Rep. Cravaack is not authorized to actively participate in the replacement process, he met with the Brainerd airport manager in North Branch, and his team continues to monitor this situation closely. Rep Cravaack and staff stand ready to assist constituents who have questions on this issue or would like any background information on the EAS program.”
Airport commissioners directed Sievek to keep Cravaack, who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, informed of future meetings.
“He’s been very absent in this whole process,” Sievek said.
“I’m with you completely,” said Crow Wing County Commissioner Rachel Reabe Nystrom, an airport commissioner, of the criticism of Cravaack.
At an earlier airport commission meeting Sievek said that no one from Cravaack’s office attended an informational meeting on that topic in September in the Twin Cities that included officials from Great Lakes Airlines, MnDOT’s Department of Aeronautics and the offices of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.
MIKE O’ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
Comments (15)
Add commentCrravaack absent
I wondered how long it would take for the finger pointing blame game to start.
Maybe he's still busy moving
Maybe he's still busy moving his family to the east coast?
Or maybe he's busy preparing for his future appointment on the committee that overseas the drug makers so he'll be ready to do their bidding when his wife who works for the drug makers puts in a request?
Never enough
Well we just have a airport to no where- at what cost??? I suppose the cessina's can start using the main terminal- another D.O.A project the taxpayers have funded. Could'nt fill the seats anyway so why not fly in the 767's- one thing is for sure, Sievek is outstanding in his field- to bad he just doesn't go stand in his field.
Ok, let's try this one, see if its flagged for offensive.
I am working on my new softer DFL side of life.
Steve is just missing his ole' buddy Oberstar. He's used to walking along side with his hand in his pants (pocket).
Add it to the list
Just another issue the Cravaack has been absent on. Wish I had my vote back!! Guy thinks he is a tea party freshmen from a center leaning district, wont be long before he can be with his family full time!
Well thought out
Nice response mr galt, guess I have to mention concentration camps to get your approval, real classy
Cravaack's Website
The Congressman's website has some information. (albeit no opnion)
It sounds to me like Delta just wants gubmint money. Brainerd will not lose service. If no airlines step up to cover the route, Delta gets federal subsidies to cover their booked losses.
This is much ado about nothing.
eyolf
Seems he HAS said something about it....
"Under law it is the duty of the Department of Transportation to solicit proposals from carriers willing to provide service to the Brainerd Airport. Although Rep. Cravaack is not authorized to actively participate in the replacement process, he met with the Brainerd airport manager in North Branch, and his team continues to monitor this situation closely. Rep Cravaack and staff stand ready to assist constituents who have questions on this issue or would like any background information on the EAS program.”
Give him a jingle.
but
He couldn't quite make it to Brainerd for a meeting?
Chip absent? He wasn't invited!
Chip's Communications Director Michael Bars told me this, "...Chip’s office was never even invited to the September 7 event? It’s true, we weren’t". What does that say about Sievek?