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Anderson, who had managed the airport since 2000, was terminated Tuesday.
“It appears to me that it’s a difference of opinion, which in my eyes that’s not a reason to fire somebody,” said Ward 3 Councilman Jim Newell. “If his performance skills are acceptable and he’s doing an acceptable job, that’s distressful to me to hear that.”
Council President Fred Pitts declined to comment, saying the council has no control over the airport authority and therefore his opinion is moot.
Also declining to comment were Ward 7 Councilman Willie Jennings and Ward 6 Councilman Mike Bryan. Jennings said his silence was due to lack of inside knowledge; Bryan said he was withholding comment because of potential litigation between Anderson and the authority.
Anderson hired Tupelo attorney Jim Waide last week upon hearing he might lose his job. Waide told the Daily Journal on Tuesday he’d encourage his client to take legal action against the authority.
“I will say this, though,” Bryan added, “based on the actions of the airport authority last night, this confirms my position on rescinding the past council’s decision on relocating West Jackson Street Extended.”
The council last year voted to allow the rerouting of Jackson Extended so the airport could extend the runway. Bryan wanted that decision rescinded after the council this year agreed to pursue a tunnel so the road could stay open along the same route.
The $9.3 million runway expansion was a source of contention between Anderson and some authority members. They wanted to slow the project to allow more time to study its impacts while Anderson wanted quicker action.
It’s unclear how much that situation contributed to Anderson’s dismissal this week. Whatever the factors, Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis said it wasn’t worth losing Anderson.
“I just don’t think they can find a person to replace him who has that kind of expertise,” Davis said. “I think he has moved the airport to another level, and it’s just really confusing to me what the problem is and why they didn’t want him anymore.”
i ask though....who did his reviews every year that gave him excelent ratings??
i think that person or persons should be questioned as to why a more accurate evaluation wasn't done.
it has control of city streets. the council only voted yes or no to make arrangments for the runway project.
TAA is a board all on its own.
I commend Mr Pitts for not commenting and getting cought up in the drama of the firing.
Would someone please explain this apparent
contradiction in the article regarding the control or lack of that the council has over the TAA...
"Council President Fred Pitts declined to comment, saying the council has no control over the airport authority and therefore his opinion is moot."
The council last year voted to allow the rerouting of Jackson Extended so the airport could extend the runway.
“I will say this, though,” Bryan added, “based on the actions of the airport authority last night, this confirms my position on rescinding the past council’s decision on relocating West Jackson Street Extended.”
"Bryan wanted that decision rescinded after the council this year agreed to pursue a tunnel so the road could stay open along the same route."
Anderson retired from the Navy as a captain with about 5,000 hours of flight time, including 205 combat missions in Vietnam and 750 carrier landings.
His administrative experience included having been head of pilot training for the Navy, operations officer for the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, operations officer for the Navy's East Coast training carrier group and readiness officer for Naval aviation forces east of the Mississippi River.
As a teacher, Anderson earned accolades, including being nominated for a teacher of distinction award.
Cornwell said Anderson was the best airport director Tupelo had ever had and said his firing "is a terrible mistake."
Moffatt also said he didn't understand how Anderson's job status changed so suddenly...
"Dan Kellum and I went over Terry's employment evaluation for 10 years and there was never a negative mark against him," he said. "He was an exemplary employee ... this (firing) is so ill-conceived."
Asked why he thought the current board voted to fire Anderson, Moffatt said "I think they have an ulterior motive that's not being stated, and I think it will surface as time goes on."