Gwinnett Commissioners Squash Plans to Privatize Airport

The vast majority of those in attendance dressed in red to show their opposition to the airport project.

The room buzzed with anticipation. When all four commissioners finally voted to reject commercialization, the crowd erupted.

After the vote, those in attendance had a chance to speak. They repeated concerns about the proposal’s potential impact on traffic, property values, and the environment.

“I have, for the last several years, been very disappointed in my elected officials. They haven’t listened to us. But you people have. You have listened to us and I want to thank you,” said Snellville resident Janette Bean.  

The crowd’s giddy mood didn’t stop Gwinnet resident Tom Rhinehardt from voicing his disapproval.

“Commercialization of this airport would have increased revenues to the county and would have also brought jobs to the county,” said Rhinehardt. “The airport has now become a liability, instead of being an asset.”

During the public comment period, Brett Smith, the CEO of the company that had lobbied for commercialization, was noticeably upset. He said a few brief words to the commissioners about the lack of transparency of the process. He had been urging commissioners to release the company’s proposal to the public and hold a referendum at a later date.

“I’m sorry you came to this decision and you felt it wasn’t important to include the citizens in this process.”

Shortly after, Smith stormed out. Outside the building, Smith vented.

“Is it more important to appease a few angry people or to be concerned with generations to come? They just f— themselves,” said Smith. “We just wanted a fair and level playing field and we didn’t get it.”

Smith says he plans to make public the company’s 700-page proposal online.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, the commission also voted to suspend its application to the Federal Aviation Administration, thus squashing any further efforts to privatize the airport.