As Oneida County Legislators prepare for a vote tonight on a proposed contract with Million Air to take over Fixed Base Operations at Griffiss International Airport, a Clinton County official is talking about a botched deal with the same company.
Michael Hennessey, Minority Leader of the Oneida County Board of Legislators, has a list of concerns about the local contract which are centered on the deal gone wrong at Plattsburgh International Airport.
Among Hennessey's claims, Million Air left Clinton County after signing a contract.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente feels that isn't entirely accurate and says the contract termination in Clinton County was mutual and Million Air 'didn't just walk away.'
However, Rodney Brown, Clinton Countys' Deputy Administrator, tells WIBX Million Air made it clear they would not honor the contract at Plattsburgh International after it was signed. Brown says the company wanted to make several amendments to the signed agreement that Clinton County officials would not agree to, including a tower.
According to Brown, Million Air felt it had been promised things which were not in writing in the contract while Clinton County officials weren't confortable in agreeing to the amendments.
Brown says it was at that point that both parties agreed to the terminiation.
Picente and Hennessey are at odds over a termination clause as well.
Hennessey argues there should be a a termination clause or security deposit in Oneida County's proposed deal as an extra protection.
"We protect the county taxpayers at every step of the way on this. The termination agreement is the contract, that is what's binding here," Picente said.
Hennessey's other concerns include: the contract length, a 10 year lease with company option for another decade; county will be giving up rental income from hangars that taxpayers have benefitted from.
This deal is no different than any other management agreement agreement at other airports around the country, Picente said.
The contract is up for vote when the Oneida County Legislature meets at 7 on the 10th floor of the county office building.