Robert Griffin
AMERICUS — In a split vote, the Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority passed a resolution to rename Souther Field Airport to the Jimmy Carter Regional Airport. The resolution was part of a joint resolution between Sumter County, the city of Americus, and the Authority.
The move by the Authority was not met without some controversy though, as those who have lived with the airport as it is currently named, did not want to see a piece of history replaced. Frank Joiner, Chairman of the Authority said, “It’s not that the people who were against renaming the airport are against President Carter. In fact, political affiliation really has nothing to do with it. There are a lot of local people that have served, and worked at the Airport and there is a lot of history to it and they do not want to see the history go with it.”
At their meeting on Thursday night, the Americus Mayor and City Council unanimously passed the motion for the name change, paving the way for the renaming.
