Ex-airport commissioner willing to step up again

A former Palwaukee Airport commissioner, saying the survival of the airport is in jeopardy, is offering to become the new chairman, or at least a board member, of Chicago Executive Airport.

"I believe I can bring a modicum of good business sense to the airport," said Prospect Heights resident and former Wheeling resident Nicholas Helmer in an e-mail. The airport is owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights

Helmer, the chief operating officer of a real estate development company, Inland Great Lakes LLC of Oak Brook, was on the Palwaukee Airport commission from 1988 to 2000. At the time, he said, his priorities were land acquisition and resurfacing the runways.

A licensed pilot, Helmer said he understands the needs of the municipalities and the fixed-base operators, who run the businesses at the airport.

He wrote that with the recent "chaos and confusion" regarding the airport's staff and board and the leaders of Wheeling and Prospect Heights, as well as the resignations of airport board Chairman Kevin Dohm, Wheeling Village President Greg Klatecki and Prospect Heights Mayor Rodney Pace, the "survival of the crown jewel of both our economies stands in jeopardy."

Dohm recently resigned, weeks after one of the airport board members from Wheeling called for him to quit. Dohm's actions regarding the hiring of consultant John P. Kennedy had been called into question by Wheeling officials.

Helmer wrote, "Knowledgeable people must be entrusted to do this job.

"There is no room for clandestine  ¦ conduct among the board members or even on the part of or between the municipalities," he added.

Acting Prospect Heights Mayor Pat Ludvigsen and Acting Wheeling Village President Judy Abruscato have yet to meet to discuss who will become chairman. The position is appointed jointly by both leaders.

Ludvigsen said that discussion will not likely take place until next month.

"We need to get the best (chairman) for the airport and the two municipalities," Abruscato said.