City trying to close FBO. Claims tainted fuel

I wish I had kept his e-mail. If I had enough sense to keep it, i would have published it here. His response was such a bunch of blather, I clicked delete without thinking it through.
When going through the are, I'll never use the city facility. They can pay people not to serve GA till they run out of tax dollars but their behavior deserves a full scale boycott.
 
Latest Action by FAA

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]U.S. Department of Transportation[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Federal [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aviation Administration[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Federal Aviation Administration[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Southwest Region, Airports Division[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Safety and Standards Branch[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2601 Meacham Boulevard[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fort Worth, Texas 76137[/FONT]​


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]May 20, 2011[/FONT]​


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mr. Lenny LLerena[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New Braunfels Airport[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]P.O. Box 311747[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New Braunfels, TX 78131-1747[/FONT]​



[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dear Mr. LLerena:[/FONT]​


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received complaints against the New[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Braunfels Airport alleging violations of the city's grant assurances contained in Airport[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Improvement Program (AlP) grants from the federal government for airport development.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The specific allegations are relative to the airport's relationship to its tenants and New[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Braunfels Aero specifically.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The airport is alleged to have discriminated against the other fixed base operators (FBOs) at[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]the airport in violation of assurance 24, Fee and Rental Structure, by continuing to allow[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New Braunfels Aero to operate at the airport with an expired lease at less than the current[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]lease rate and failing to enforce the terms of the lease such as leasehold improvements and[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]periodic financial audits including finding the lessee in default of the lease.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The airport is alleged to have failed to operate the airport in a safe and efficient manner in[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]violation of assurance 19, Operations and Maintenance, by not monitoring aircraft fuel[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]provision by all aircraft fuel service providers. In addition, the airport is alleged to have[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]violated the assurance by not maintaining the control tower radios as published.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The airport is alleged to have violated assurance 23, Exclusive Rights, by trying to stop New[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Braunfels Aero from selling aviation fuel and thus making the airport the exclusive provider[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]of aviation fuel at the airport.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We ask that you provide your written response to these allegations within 30 days to this[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]office.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you have any questions, please contact me at (817) 222-5673 or at ed.chambers@faa.gov.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sincerely[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Edward Chambers, P .E.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Compliance Program Manager[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]cc: Bill Gunn, TXDOT[/FONT]
 
Uh oh.

Lucy you got some splainin to do...

They'll probably get back to the DOT sometime in 2023 and then demand a reply as to why the state is bothering them, seeing as how they are so virgin white and pure.
 
Letter sent to city yesterday. Today I went to the airport to watch the show Police, Fire, Building Inspector, Airport Director (he is easy to spot, He looks like napoleon and has the same attitude) and several others. He probably tried to tell police it was Vandalism but even an idiot could tell it was neglect. I'll try to post pictures. The letter sounds a bit corney but these folks need to be spoon fed.

Dear City Building Inspector:



Knowing that the City considers safety paramount please pass along to the Airport Director, City Manager, Fire Marshal and other responsible persons as I know they will give it their highest priority.


I recently attempted to use the self service fuel depot at the airport. I noticed several safety issues during my pre-fueling inspection.



I did not purchase fuel as I believed it unsafe to do so. Fueling might have caused harm to myself or the community.



I found the following discrepancies:



Two Fire extinguishers not properly mounted and one missing inspection/serviceable tag.



Two Frayed electric cords on dead man switches. Cable not properly stowed causing kinks and cracks in cable.



Two hose reel cabinets not attached to concrete base. It could be blown away by jet wash or struck by a vehicle causing the fuel pipe to rupture as this is the only supporting structure.



No protective bollards in front of new hose reel cabinets. When the reels were moved outside of the original protected area no new bollards were installed.



Conduit covers missing on right side of fuel card reader.



No emergency procedures posted in a conspicuous location.



Emergency cutoff out of view of fueling area. It is located on the back side of a plywood panel. No instruction on how to switch off power.



Fuel transfer sumps are not locked leaving the fuel system vulnerable to contamination and vandalism.



In the interest of safety the fuel depot must be shut down until repaired to prevent injury to its customers and city employees. That is standard practice in the city and is not without precedent.

It was my understanding that the fuel depot was recently brought up to standard using certificates of obligation totaling $114,000. Naturally I was surprised to find it in such poor condition.

I have photographs available if my descriptions are inadequate. A more thorough inspection by a trained inspector might have found other discrepancies but this was not my intention. I just wanted to get gas.



Respectfully submitted in the interest of safety,


 
:yikes:Hello Everyone,

I know you have all been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the latest news from the airport. Well here it is.

In his attempt to shift blame for his incompetence and lack of maintenance at the airport fuel depot the AIRPORT DIRECTOR 'LENNY' has claimed that vandalism is the cause of the unsafe conditions at HIS fuel farm.

We all know that this is FALSE, a LIE. but it wasn't unexpected. We have pictures going back weeks. The fact that he didn't notice it or report it earlier again proves he is a LIAR.

How does a Vandal make a cable look 15 years old and frayed? He can't. How does a vandal remove a padlock and leave it hanging on its hasp? Again we have pictures.

Why would a vandal remove a conduit cover? Why wasn't it noticed by "Lenny" and his Crew? Why would A vandal replace the fire extinguisher hanger with the incorrect hanger.

Folks this is proof that "LENNY" has not done his job for the past 2 1/2 YEARS !

It doesn't end here folks. Hang on to something. I don't want anyone to fall and get hurt.

In his attempt to perpetuate this lie Lenny has convinced the local constabulary to install a camera aimed at the fuel depot to catch the "VANDALS" in the act.

Now this is a big waste of our police departments time and money.

So if you ever use the city fuel depot remember that you are under surveillance. We wouldn't want to see you on the 6 o'clock news taking a pee or picking your nose.:no::hairraise:

See attached photos of the fuel farm before the"investigation." Notice the cement splash on the fire extinguisher. Shows its been there a while. Notice the "missing" Bollards.

Also notice the date stamp on the pictures.

Now, if the police want to investigate something they should find out where the money ($114,000 ref April 2010 council meeting) for the fuel farm went because it obviously didn't get spent on the fuel farm.

Its time for a change in management at the airport and city hall.

Send this to everyone you know. LOL

Have a great day!

I'll be "Investigating" trying to find where the money went!

CHRIS
 
GET THE STATE involved. I'm thinking the Winkler Hospital Scandal of this spring.....the good ol' boys will not stop trying to make this go away......
 
bbchien said:
GET THE STATE involved. I'm thinking the Winkler Hospital Scandal of this spring.....the good ol' boys will not stop trying to make this go away......
Click to expand...

TxDOT is involved. But only with regards to investigating allegations related to missed grant assurances.

Letter is posted a few back.
 
In the winkler scandal, the sheriff, hospital board president and the attorney for the defendant nurse (whistleblower) who was also consel for the hospital, tried to silence the nurse.

It wasn't until the state AG got involved that the lie collapsed.
 
bbchien said:
In the winkler scandal, the sheriff, hospital board president and the attorney for the defendant nurse (whistleblower) who was also consel for the hospital, tried to silence the nurse.

It wasn't until the state AG got involved that the lie collapsed.
Click to expand...

It got RESOLVED civilly this spring in the form of a civil judgement For damages awarded to the nurse

Scary stuff that the nurse had to deal with. I followed it loosely since it was first reported a few years back.
 
ultrasonix said:
See attached photos of the fuel farm before the"investigation." Notice the cement splash on the fire extinguisher. Shows its been there a while. Notice the "missing" Bollards.
Click to expand...

No photos attached?
 
From the first post in this thread:

City Manager Mike Morrison said the issue is safety.

“All we want is for those tanks to be properly maintained so they are safe,” Morrison said. “There’s nothing optional about safety. If this circumstance existed anywhere else in the city, the same action would have been taken. It’s not safe and therefore it needs to be fixed.”
Click to expand...
So...the City Manager "took the same action" and ran straight out to the airport and shut down the City's fuel farm until the violations were corrected, right?

If not, maybe that should be noted the next time the local newspaper prints an update on the situation.
 
Chris why don't you do a FOIA request for the invoices and receipts and payment vouchers for the $114,000. Make the city show you how and where the money was spent.
 
Photos of city fuel farm Safety issues.
http://www.mymoodleclass.com/ghmsdownloads/_barry/KBAZ/Photo01.png
http://www.mymoodleclass.com/ghmsdownloads/_barry/KBAZ/Photo02.png
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http://www.mymoodleclass.com/ghmsdownloads/_barry/KBAZ/Photo26.png
http://www.mymoodleclass.com/ghmsdownloads/_barry/KBAZ/Photo27.png
 
Out of curiosity, I would like to see the FBO's fuel farm or truck to use as a comparison.
 
The truck has been seized by the city so I can't get a picture. I will post NB Aero fuel farm photo. ASAP
 
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OK today we learned that the city will not allow NB Aero to put fuel in their fuel farm.

Some BS about past performance. I guess its time to post the pictures of the city employees fueling. I didn't want to because it's not about them but King Morrison the city manager just declared war on General Aviation at BAZ. Prince Lenny needs to make sure his stuff is right because if it isn't we will get him. A picture is worth 1,000 words and we have lots of cameras.
 
They're really doubling down on the stupid. Reminds me of a VP I had to get steamrollered to get a project through. Ahh, bureaucracy and arrogance.

Keep up the fight. I had to wait a year to get that VP slammed, hard.
 
IIRC, Morrison is a jerk and the city council has almost got the votes to fire him. That should be a show.
 
DavidWhite said:
Do you live in New Braunfels too?
Click to expand...

No but we have family nearby and they often talk about their dysfunctional city gov't and I think I remember a conversation talking about the dopey manager and how the city fathers don't like him but he is dug in so deep they're afraid to kick him out.
 
While I am strongly sympathetic to NB Aero, the photos posted a few replies back seem pretty lousy to me. Many are out of focus or else it's not clear what the subject of interest is (a ladder? a water hose?). I hope you guys have someone helping to package your ammo against the city in a "professional" way so that it has maximum impact.

There was an error in the post; photo 16 was posted twice and photo 17 was skipped. #17 actually looked like it might be something pretty significant...unfortunately, the way the photo was framed I have absolutely no clue what it is I'm looking at.

http://www.mymoodleclass.com/ghmsdownloads/_barry/KBAZ/Photo17.png

Good luck.
 
Doggtyred said:
It got RESOLVED civilly this spring in the form of a civil judgement For damages awarded to the nurse

Scary stuff that the nurse had to deal with. I followed it loosely since it was first reported a few years back.
Click to expand...
It appears that's how they do business in these neighboring West Texas counties.....
 
Re: Photos of New Braunfels Aero Fuel Farm

See attached photos of NB Aero fuel farm
 

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Your issue is about the mistreatment your FBO has received, not about the "the other guy". So, unless you are doing a "compare and contrast" kind of analysis, I wouldn't muddy the waters with what the other guy is doing.

Kind of like getting a speeding ticket. "The other guy was driving even faster, why didn't you stop him?" isn't a good defense. A good defense is "I wasn't speeding."

If you are doing a comparison of how you've been treated vs how the city FBO has been treated, you need to make it a point by point comparison.

E.G.: "The City conducted an inspection of our fuel pump and condemned it because of "X". The City's fuel farm has problem "X", "Y", and "Z", clearly documented in the attached pictures. This has been brought to the attention of the local inspectors, yet the City's pump(s) have not been condemned."
 
I thought that is what I have been doing since March. City has 2 sets of rules. City is attempting to gain a monopoly in fuel sales. City has used its political power to shut down FBO's fuel sales.
City Fuel pumps are /were in equal or worse condition.
City still refuses to let FBO sell fuel after city inspector declared FBO fuel farm Safe.
 
ultrasonix said:
I thought that is what I have been doing since March. City has 2 sets of rules. City is attempting to gain a monopoly in fuel sales. City has used its political power to shut down FBO's fuel sales.
City Fuel pumps are /were in equal or worse condition.
City still refuses to let FBO sell fuel after city inspector declared FBO fuel farm Safe.
Click to expand...
Like I said, you have to bring racketeering charges. State AG needs to be involved.
 
The combination of outrageous abuse of power and cute girls will get you al the attention you need from the media to pull the rug out from under these crooks.
 
in reference to nb aeros fuel farm pictures you should have seen it before they threw paint over all the rust it looks great now but the comparison should have been before it was polished.
 
The point is that the city has 2 sets of rules. NB Aero fixed their fuel farm issue plus upgraded to ATA standards. It passed all inspections. City had issues but was never shut down. According to AIG rules that is discrimination.

We also have photos of unsafe acts by city employees. Speeding with fuel truck. Not using required safety devices. Talking on phone while fueling. In that case the guy forgot to replace the fuel cap. Then he went and fueled an a/c in the hanger. Yea we got pix of that also.

Point is. FBO's contract says it can provide its own fuel and city doesn't like it so they are attempting to breach the contract. They are doing all this while giving away money to their PET aircraft maintenance provider who takes the airport directors family for rides in a Metro. The caption says its a test flight. Is that legal to take PAX on a test flight. There is serious discrimination going on here.

There are 4 council members that want the city manager gone. So does the chamber of commerce and they really don't like the airport director either. Its politics and they are waiting for the right time to pull the plug on them both. I think it will be soon.

I've got nothing against the guys that work at the airport. Just their ARROGANT BOSS. He even put his workers name on the Police report claiming vandalism. He knew it was a lie. That's why he did it.
 
bbchien said:
In the winkler scandal, the sheriff, hospital board president and the attorney for the defendant nurse (whistleblower) who was also consel for the hospital, tried to silence the nurse.

It wasn't until the state AG got involved that the lie collapsed.
Click to expand...

Winkler is a FASCINATING story. I first heard about it the weekend before Gastons... my wife and I sat riveted to the story in the Post Office parking lot (there to mail the Poker Run cards)... you can listen to the NPR This American Life story here: Old Boys Network.

Or, if you'd rather read than listen, this story from The Texas Observer, titled "Intent To Harm".
 
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