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For immediate release:
May 16, 2023
For more information:
info@johngomesformayor.com
Bridgeport and CAA Officials Need City Council Approval For Sikorsky Airport Sale-Lease
Bridgeport, CT - The recent CT Post article titled, "Bridgeport, CT airport authority (CAA) seek operating deal for Sikorsky" provides insight into the ongoing and changing proposed sale-lease agreement for the city owned Sikorsky Airport located in the neighboring town of Stratford. Information regarding the lease proposal was obtained via a Hearst Media Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request of the CT Airport Authority.
Bridgeport Mayoral candidate John Gomes reacted to details stating, "On May 5, 2022, City of Bridgeport and CAA officials announced a tentative agreement for sale of the Sikorsky Airport following an affirmative vote by the Airport Commission. The next step in the process should have been review and consideration of the agreement by the Bridgeport City Council. Over one year later, City Council members continue to wait for a sale or operating agreement from mayoral staff and legal counsel."
Gomes continued, "It's become obvious that the proposed sale agreement has been mishandled by city administrators since inception. Failing to consider a higher purchase price offer from the Town of Stratford, attempting to complete the sale without council approval, and wasting $6 million in ARPA funds in unrealized revenues from the sale of the airport demonstrates that this administration is incapable of negotiating the best deal on behalf of the taxpayers or can create an honest budget that does not rely on gimmicks."
Gomes continued, "At this point, the City Council members deserve a full briefing on the status of negotiations with the CT Airport Authority, they should be presented with any potential competing offers from other buyers, and they should be given all details on how the CAA is currently handling the responsibilities of the now vacant Airport Manager position."
Gomes concluded, "The public is fortunate that Hearst Media made the FOIA request to the CAA as opposed to going though the city attorney office. After multiple investigative articles on the city's failure to comply with CT transparency laws, Hearst Media recognized that the city would not accommodate their request or comply with state sunshine laws.
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