EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — The city of Excelsior Springs is defending its decision to remove a damaged hangar door at the airport, in spite of outrage from local pilots.
Thomas Creel believes, “The city has been systematically running down our airport and sitting back saying it doesn’t need any money and then trying to throw stuff at it to close it.”
He says he teamed up with other recreational pilots to address the door, saying, “We offered to pay for it.”
Creel recorded a video when city workers cut off the hangar door, just days after the council agreed to repair it. Thomas Shue believes, “That’s kind of like misuse of city resources or mismanagement of city resources.”
Excelsior Springs Mayor Brad Eales said, “Just because you have a number in ink, it’s not the right number, so get your facts. What was the number? I would have to defer to my city manager to get those exact numbers.”
41 Action News asked the city to provide the cost to repair the hangar door. The city manager could not provide an exact number, but did say an estimated $1,500 to $2,500 dollars. At that point, the city determined it would be more prudent to tear it down.
