The Aug. 16 meeting of the Lewiston City Council, as shown on the city’s YouTube channel (3:29:51), has comments by Councilor Bob McCarthy indicating the Aug. 14 Sun Journal article, “Auburn-Lewiston airport construction leaves pilots and management at odds,” was inaccurate and the paper didn’t do its research.

After discussing the article with all those quoted, I can state that reporter Andrew Rice’s article was spot on. A fair and balanced piece of reporting. All quotes came from emails which I have verified with their authors.

At the time the City Council met the only issue that had been addressed was Tom Ward and Skyward Aviation. None of the other issues to this date have been taken care of. The two airport users who provide Mercy flights did relocate to Portland for the duration of the project. One of them was so distressed at the airport board meeting that he decided to make his move to Portland permanent.

Airport management has repeatedly misled pilots and tenants since January and that was a factor. This cannot be considered a simple mistake, but a recognition of how low general aviation rates on the airport management’s priorities.

We appreciate Councilor McCarthy taking this issue seriously and working toward improving the performance of the airport. He showed us a desire to see both sides of the issue fairly and made the effort to understand how the airport works.

If others are serious about their mission, they will follow his lead.

Ron Russell, Auburn