From Staff Reports
AMERICUS — Renaming Souther Field
I would like to voice my opinion against the renaming of Souther Field. I have three reasons why I am against this.
The first and main reason is historical. So many people have shared their opinion on this and have voiced the rich history of Souther Field. The other two are political.
The second reason is the way this was done. The County Commission and City Council met over a year ago in private session and decided that renaming the airport was a good idea for them. At the time the Airport Authority in my opinion would not have voted for it. After the death of two of the Airport Authority members, Brown Hodges and Tom Lloyd, which were both avid aviators and left there mark all over Souther Field, their seats were appointed to a County Commissioner and City Council member of which neither are aviation related. The County commission and City council decided it was time to push it. The County commission had a meeting and voted on it with no newspaper coverage. There was coverage for the airport authority meeting that it was to be discussed but not voted on, which it was. I attended the Authority meeting and voiced my opinion. Then there was the City Council meeting with a printed agenda. The airport renaming was not on the agenda in the newspaper. What do you call this? I call it old school politics. You have a group of politicians who decide what they want and act on it without listening or discussing it with the people they represent, who voted them into office. They are more concerned about what they want rather than what the people want.
Thirdly is also political. I served on the Sumter County School Board for 10 years, serving as chairman for eight years. I care about the children of Sumter County and think I did a good job of representing the people of Sumter County. But I do have one regret. We consolidated the schools in Leslie, Plains and the local community schools in the county. Economically it was the best thing to do, but we know it was bad for the communities. Looking back, I believe it would have been better to keep the community schools even though it would have cost the taxpayers more money.
I ask the County Commissioners and City Council to rethink their decision. I also ask Jimmy Carter to not only think of the past but think of the future.
William T. Hodges
Americus
How about a compromise?
If the City and County fathers insist that Jimmy Carter's name has to be associated with the airport, then how about a compromise: The Jimmy Carter–Souther Field Airport?
Peggy Sheppard
Andersonville
Doesn’t like airport renaming
Rename Souther Field? What is this world coming to? I understand the whole idea, but why would our leaders take such a historical place already named for a pioneer in aviation and just destroy Sumter County and Georgia history? I wonder what the people of South Boston (where Mr. Souther was from) are thinking?
If we’re in such a rush, why not rename the Rylander Theatre or the Windsor Hotel? President Carter is indeed from Sumter County, and I think Plains has done a wonderful job of preserving the history of the Carter family there. I heard from another local politician that Lou Chase and Al Hurley were able to vote for this renaming twice! We can’t vote twice for politicians so why should they be able to vote twice for this charade? First our government hits us by running up our taxes and now they look to defile the history of Sumter County. I hope when President Jimmy Carter realizes how this would reword this history of Sumter County he will refuse to accept this ludicrous “over-voted” idea.
Helen Tripp Durden
Americus
Hopes Carter will stop ‘insanity’
I will not write about the historical facts of Souther Field Airport, as this has been covered very nicely by other letters to the editor. The airport, as is, has great significance for many who live in this area. Many of us made our first solo flights at Souther Field Airport, and the "shirt-tails" which are cut off after one makes his/her first solo flight are marked "Souther Field Airport.” Great deals of money have been spent on the signage and the statue, and other memorabilia commemorating Charles Lindbergh. It's hard to believe that anyone on the Airport Authority is in favor of the name change. I know that my parents, B. Fred and Elmer B. Statham, would be opposed to changing the name, as they loved and respected the history of Souther Field Airport.
Yesterday, on my way home, I drove north on Souther Field Road, and wondered whether the name of this road will be changed also? Will all of the street signs have to be remade? Will the water tower that illustrates Charles Lindbergh's plane and the wording "Souther Field Industrial Park" have to be changed? Will businesses and homes on Souther Field Road have to change their addresses, letterhead, etc.?
There are other ways to honor Jimmy Carter, who was in the Navy, other than renaming OUR airport, Souther Field Airport, in his honor. I will be very surprised if Jimmy allows this to happen. I sincerely hope that he will speak up and stop this insanity!!
Sue Statham
Americus
Wants airport name intact for future
To the Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority, Sumter Board of Commissioners, Mayor Barry Blount and Americus City Council:
There has been a great deal of controversy since your collective decision to change the name of Souther Field Airport. I want to try and relate to you why there is such opposition to this.
First of all, an airport is in itself a community — family, if you will, of aviators both military and civilian, professional pilots and mechanics, students, support staff and aviation enthusiasts. Each person makes up this community and as a whole these people are united by one encompassing passion for aircraft of all types.
Since 1903, the world has been mesmerized by aviation and our history shows that even the great Charles Lindbergh spent time at our airport learning to fly and purchased his first aircraft here. By now numerous people have written you about our rich history and heritage from 1918 to 2009. All great beginnings start with a past that shows the way to a brighter future.
Souther Field does not have to defend its name in history because all the facts speak for themselves. I speak for all aviation enthusiasts and pilots in our airport community by saying we want our airport name intact future generations.
I have had been a pilot and aircraft owner for over 40 years and call Souther Field my home airport. I have been a professional pilot for most of that time. In recent years I have worked at the airport for Frankie Williams and as a patrol pilot for Georgia Forestry Commission.
We all ask that you reconsider your decision to rename our airport Jimmy Carter Regional. Mr. Carter was never a pilot, and as far as I know, he has made no statement pro or con. Please do not kill the name of Souther Field, its history or its place in the future.
As a compromise, I offer this alternate name: Jimmy Carter Regional Airport at Souther Field 1918.
I am a retired aircraft commander, Miami-Dade County Fire Department, Air Rescue Division.
Brad Dickens
Americus
Can’t imagine why airport name would be changed
I cannot imagine anyone even thinking of changing the name of our Souther Field Airport. Since I’ve heard someone does, I’ve discussed the matter with quite a few people — overheard others discussing the issue, and I’ve yet to hear of anyone in favor of the change. Please leave our Souther Field Airport alone!
When we change the name of anything — a road, street, establishment, etc. — it causes a lot of inconveniences for a lot of people and it should not be done. Anything newly established would be the place for a name someone might want to use. If more than one name is suggested, “do a draw” as was done to name Americus so long ago.
Please let our Souther Field be!
Marguerite Ethridge
Americus
