The old expression, "where you stand depends on where you sit" aptly describes the machinations behind recent appointments to the board of directors of the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA), as detailed in Saturday's Citizen.
While some will accept the explanations of chairman Jim Blake that due process prevailed, the cynics among us might be inclined to see "the old boys network" in Prince George seeking to perpetuate itself.
The reality as always rests somewhere in the middle.
Appointments to the boards of private for profit corporations are generally done with a view to finding the best person for the job, someone able to provide expertise that will contribute to the profitable operation of the business.
The rules for appointment to government boards tends to be a little looser. While appointing qualified people is still important, political considerations can sometimes colour the selection.
In this respect there are parallels with the debate over an elected versus an appointed Senate. Does anyone think that Conservative Hughie Segal would have been appointed to the Senate by a Liberal prime minister, (an appointment he once referred to as a "task-less thanks.")
So, even while we acknowledge the expertise and contribution the current PGAA board members have made and are making to our community, there is a larger issue to be addressed.
Consider the following:
In February 2009 after spending nearly $40 million the P.G. airport reopened with the third longest commercial runway in Canada.
Recently, the federal and provincial government, backed by the City of Prince George, announced a further $28 million investment to build the Boundary Road Connector Project to link Highway 97 to Highway 16, to benefit the airport.
Finally, the City of Prince George through it's economic development arm IPG, is currently busy planning to invest millions more in an air logistics park to - you guessed it - assist in developing the P.G. airport as a refueling and cargo destination for transpacific air cargo carriers.
With this kind of taxpayer dollars being invested in our mega project - the P.G. airport-would it not make sense to have someone on the board to compliment president and CEO John Gibson, with experience and expertise in international air cargo and logistics?
Later this year the terms of three of the 12 directors will expire, including board chairman Jim Blake.
This would be a perfect opportunity for the city and the Chamber of Commerce who get to fill the vacancies to seek out directors with that expertise. If that talent cannot be found in Prince George, then a search should be conducted throughout B.C. and beyond if necessary.
The P.G. airport is a big league project with big league aspirations and a big league price tag, for that we need the candidate best qualified for the job, not necessarily the best liked or the best connected.
Time will tell if the folks at either body have figured that out.
