Supporters of the Kleberg County Airport hope that a decision by the Kleberg County Commissioners Court to resurrect the county’s Airport Advisory Commission, which had not met for a quarter of a century, will lead to a better appreciation of the airport’s role in the economic and social well-being of the county.

Judy Muzycyn went before the commissioner’s court at a meeting on July 26 to request reestablishment of the advisory commission, which had originally been established in the early 1960s. The advisory commission will elect officers;

Advisory Commission establish bylaws; analyze possibility of additional growth and expansion of existing businesses at the airport, promote good will between the general aviation airport and the community through education programs and public relations, and pursue economic development by actively advertising and promoting the local airport, which is ten minutes away on Highway 141 west of Kingsville.

The commissioners court approved the following members to one-year terms to establish the bylaws and begin the airport advertising and promotion campaign:

Norma Alvarez, Precinct 2 Kleberg County Commissioner;

Mike Muzyczyn, president of Mike’s Aircraft Shop, and the county airport manager;

Curtis Dawson, owner of Dawson Communications, Inc.;

Chuck Schultz, an airport supporter who is also the Republican candidate for Kleberg County Commissioner of Precinct 2;

Dr. Mauro Castro, chairman of the Chemistry Department at Texas A&M University-Kingsville;

Alice Byers, executive Director of the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce;

Rose Morales, general manager of the King Ranch Saddle Shop;

Frank Weaver, a retired NASA Engineer;

Judy Muzyczyn, a member of the county airport’s management team.

The members are quick to point out that the Airport Advisory Commission is not a pilot’s association, but rather a cross-section of interested business owners and private citizens who want is to educate our community about services and benefits provided by the airport.

The commissioners court will work with the Texas Department of Transportation to funnel federal grant money towards improvements at the county airport.

Establishment of the advisory commission is considered a critical element of meeting requirements to obtain future improvement grants.