County tries to collect airport fees from rental agency
IRON MOUNTAIN - Dickinson County will begin legal proceedings to collect fees owed by a car rental business at Ford Airport.
County Board Chairman Henry Wender, who also chairs the Airport Committee, said the county is attempting to collect $20,000 from Bob Baldinelli of Avis Rent-A-Car of Iron Mountain.
The county says the money is owed under a concession agreement for car rental operations at the airport.
A resolution adopted by the county board Monday authorizes eviction proceedings for non-payment.
Baldinelli was contacted after the meeting by The Daily News but declined comment, only remarking, "It's a long story."
Wender said the county is forgiving two months of payments for a period last spring when there was no commercial air service at the airport.
In other action Monday, the county board:
- Approved the purchase of a 1986 JD 2150 diesel utility tractor (with loader and bucket) at a price of $14,000 from C.A. Tesch Equipment of Brillion, Wis. The tractor will be used by the parks department, mainly at Lake Antoine. It will replace an IH 250 A diesel tractor, for which the county will receive a trade-in of $1,700. The final cost, then, is $12,300.
- Appointed Dr. Peter C. Hamel of Fence, Wis., as the county's new medical examiner, replacing Dr. Robert L. Anderson, who has retired. Hamel has served as the laboratory director at Dickinson County Healthcare System for the past six months. He has some 27 years of experience in pathology, coming to DCHS from Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, Mo. As part of the appointment, all licensed physicians within the county are empowered to serve as deputy medical examiners at Hamel's discretion.
- Authorized advertising for applicants for the position of drain commissioner. This is an elected office, but as there were no candidates on the November ballot, an appointment will be made by the county clerk and county prosecutor. The position pays $1,200 per year with no benefits.
