LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Clark County Division of Aviation disputed claims that one in all its executives has a battle of curiosity, issuing a press release on Friday defending Managing Director of Basic Aviation Ben Czyzewski.
An electronic mail despatched to eight Information Now from the Harry Reid Worldwide Airport press room account additionally addressed two different factors it mentioned wanted clarification.
Studies revealed by 8 Information Now on Wednesday and Thursday detailed allegations by tenants and pilots, in addition to elected officers. These experiences included a few of the materials the Division of Aviation put in its electronic mail.
The three-point communication from county aviation officers was prefaced with, “We are aware of recent claims circulating regarding the Clark County general aviation airports. We take transparency and public trust seriously, and wish to address these matters directly.”
First, the Division of Aviation dismissed allegations that Czyzewski has a battle of curiosity as unfounded.
“The claim that Managing Director of General Aviation, Ben Czyzewski, is engaged in a conflict of interest due to his role as Vice-Chair of the Air Elite board is unfounded. Air Elite is a customer service program sponsored by World Fuel Services. Clark County has a contract with Ascent Aviation Group, Inc, a subsidiary of World Fuel Services to provide aviation fuel services for our general aviation airports,” the assertion mentioned.
“Mr. Czyzewski was also not involved in the competitive bid process or selection of Ascent Aviation Group, Inc. For context, Air Elite is a network of separately-owned Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), such as those at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) and North Las Vegas Airport (VGT). Board members serve voluntarily, without compensation, and do not act as agents or representatives of World Fuel Services,” the assertion mentioned.
Czyzewski has been silent on the matter.
When 8 Information Now confirmed as much as attend a gathering between tenants and North Las Vegas airport officers, our reporter was requested to depart by the airport supervisor and Czyzewski. Tenants challenged the transfer, and eight Information Now argued that it was a public assembly.
Elected officers expressed concern about the opportunity of a battle of curiosity once we contacted them.
A gathering with tenants on the Henderson airport was abruptly canceled when 8 Information Now attended, and Czyzewski left earlier than the media had a possibility to ask concerning the battle of curiosity allegations.
The tenant house owners, who included former judges, legal professionals, and LVMPD workers, started to specific outrage on the assembly’s cancellation and the prospect their hangars can be misplaced with out compensation.
Second, the e-mail addressed what it described as an error to recommend normal aviation charges have any connection to the gas contractor.
“There has been an inaccurate link of the proposed general aviation rates and charges with our fueling contractor. To clarify, the proposed adjustments apply broadly across rentals, fees, and charges and are unrelated to fueling operations. These changes are part of an update, after conducting a comprehensive aviation industry market survey. This is a multi-year plan with a rate ceiling that will be introduced in phases. The last package presented was approved more than 15 years ago, and this change is intended to support the long-term modernization needs of the airports,” the assertion mentioned.
Lastly, the Division of Aviation disputed that there was something nefarious concerning the timing of conferences with tenants.
“The meetings scheduled this past week at VGT and HND were set-up weeks in advance and intended to engage directly with tenants regarding future lease reversions. As long-standing leases – some dating back 30 years – begin to expire, we are providing clarity on the standard lease terms, which state that at the conclusion of the lease, improvements either revert to the Clark County Department of Aviation or are removed by the tenant. This policy applies consistently across all leased airport facilities including cargo, retail, office, industrial, airline, and FBO spaces. This policy is consistent with the FAA’s requirement to preserve control of airport property,” the assertion mentioned.
