Lions August 21 Meeting

The Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport was the program topic at the Sanford Lions Club Thursday, Aug. 21, as guest speaker was Joe McDonald, an official with the airport authority. Program chairman was Bob Jasany who also delivered the invocation. President John Walden presided and Roy Jernigan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

McDonald described the importance of having North Carolina’s third largest general aviation airport on the local industrial and business development efforts. This aviation asset and its location near the Research Triangle and Sandhills is a major selling point when trying to attract new companies, he said.

Since the new facility with its 6,500 foot runway was built in 2000, it has expanded greatly with 104 planes now based there, including business jets costing millions of dollars. There are 49 hangers with 19 more under construction along with nine corporate hangers and more are needed. There are nine onsite businesses including full-service maintenance and avionics shops.

McDonald pointed out several Lions in the audience for their contributions both past and present in support of local airport expansion and business development. They included County Commissioner Ed Paschal, Hal Siler, Tommy Mann, Sr., Tommy Mann, Jr., Bob Hughes and Bob Nelson. Siler recalled many times having to go to Moore County’s airport to pick up business executives because Sanford’s old airport was too small to accommodate their airplanes.

“We lost those companies before we ever got them to Sanford,” Siler commented on the impression such a trip to an out-of-town airport created on visitors.

McDonald said there is a critical need now for more corporate hangers and a future goal is to extend the runway to 8,000 feet to handle larger aircraft. And work is constantly underway by economic development and airport authority officials to attract overflow business clients from the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill areas.

In other business, Jim Turner was recognized for his weekly club newsletter earning the top district award. President Walden presented him with a package of new golf balls as a token of appreciation. Jay Moore introduced his grandson, Davidson Pharr of Greensboro, as a guest. The club’s sick were remembered and Song Leader John Byrd directed the singing of Happy Birthday to several members in addition to singing a solo entitled “Oh Say But I’m Glad.”