Northampton County 'Disappointed' Over Possible Braden Airpark Sale

Add another government entity to the list of those unhappy with the potential sale of Braden Airpark in Forks Township.

Forks Township Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss told officials and residents at Thursday night's work session meeting that he attended a meeting of the Northampton County Council at which officials voiced their displeasure regarding the airport sale.

"They seemed very disappointed that the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority took a half-million-dollar viable business and forced them to leave the township," Chuss said.

He was talking about how Moyer Aviation took flight last month for the Poconos while the LNAA contemplated the sale of the property to alleviate mounting debt.

The LNAA could have a decision to sell the Sullivan Trail site later this month.

Forks Township officials have specifically requested that LNAA representatives appear before the Board of Supervisors to explain their stance on Braden Airpark before a decision is rendered.

"Northampton County officials seemed supportive of keeping an airport here," said Chuss, an avid pilot.

The council’s Economic Development Committee, at its monthly meeting, heard from authority member J. Michael Dowd and Executive Director Charles Everett on the proposal for putting Braden Airpark on the market, the Easton Express-Times reported.

The authority owes $16 million by 2015 due to court-ordered payments, and the airport lacks the funding to pay off the expenses, they said. While the authority has found $2 million in savings in the past year, operations are running at bare bones, Dowd said.

County Council members say selling Braden Airpark would make a small dent in the debt while undermining the authority's community aviation aims, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, Chuss said that the airport will get some attention Sunday when a Young Eagles program for children will take place.

"The rally is for free airport rides," Chuss said. "A number of groups will be promoting the airpark."

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free plane rides are offered to those between the ages of 8 to 17.

The airport is across the street from Merchants Bank and near Weis Markets on Sullivan Trail.