Guthrie City Council debates airport board controversy; removal vote falls short

Tensions surrounding the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board spilled into Tuesday night’s Guthrie City Council meeting, where council members held a lengthy and at times heated discussion over whether to remove Councilman Grant Aguirre from the airport board following recent controversy and a resignation.

The scenario played out similarly to last May, when Aguirre sought the vice mayor role on the council before the position ultimately went to Vice Mayor Jeff Taylor.

Tuesday’s agenda item called for possible action to remove Aguirre from the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board. The discussion stems from the recent resignation of Crescent City Manager Ryan Wallace, who served as the ex officio for Guthrie City Manager Eddie Faulkner, from the airport board amid political tensions, which was first reported by Guthrie News Page.

Councilman Brian Bothroyd opened the discussion by asking Aguirre to address allegations and concerns that surfaced following Wallace’s resignation and subsequent reporting. Bothroyd said he had been contacted by multiple citizens and wanted clarity on what had occurred.

On multiple occasions, Aguirre said he was willing to explain his perspective but warned that doing so publicly could jeopardize future opportunities for the airport.

“I’m happy to talk about it, but in order to talk about it, I will have to reveal names and contacts with multiple people,” Aguirre said. “And I want you to know that after I do that, all of those contracts that we have that are potential for the airport will not be coming to the airport. So, if you want me to do that, I’m happy to do that, as to why I felt like I should be the chair of the airport.”

Throughout the exchange, Bothroyd questioned Aguirre about statements regarding conversations surrounding the airport board chair position. Aguirre repeatedly denied making several statements attributed to him by Wallace in previous discussions and reporting, including claims that airport success depended on his position on the city council or that he held special influence over other council members.

Much of the discussion centered on alleged comments made to Faulkner. Bothroyd raised concerns about what he described as “veiled threats” involving pressure related to Wallace’s position on the board and support for Aguirre as chair. Aguirre said he did not recall making such statements.

Councilman Tracy Williams asked Aguirre directly if he had claimed that if Wallace became airport board chairman, Faulkner would be expected to remove him from the ex officio seat on the board.

“Absolutely not,” Aguirre responded.

However, during a January 18 phone interview with Guthrie News Page, Wallace said he received a call from Faulkner stating that he had been contacted by Mayor Adam Ropp and told Wallace he needed to support Aguirre or risk removal from the ex officio position.

“Eddie’s calling to tell me that the Mayor has just called him and told him that I’m either to support Grant and play ball, or that they will lean on Eddie to remove me from the ex officio position,” Wallace told Guthrie News Page.

Williams asked Aguirre a second question about whether he told Faulkner, “Why would you put Ryan in a position where one of your bosses was unhappy with you?”

“I don’t believe I said that, no,” Aguirre replied.

Vice Mayor Jeff Taylor then asked, “Who’s lying?”

Bothroyd asked Faulkner directly whether Aguirre made the statement. Faulkner responded, “Yep, he did,” which Aguirre immediately disputed, saying, “I don’t believe I said that.”

Bothroyd continued questioning council members, asking if anyone had suggested that if Aguirre was not appointed airport board chair, Wallace would be removed from the board. Aguirre responded that he did not recall such a statement, and Councilwoman Deanna Duehning said no. Ropp also denied making any such comments when asked by Bothroyd and reiterated that denial later in the meeting.

Faulkner, expressing discomfort with being in the middle of the dispute, said, “Yes. That was a conversation that was had with me and a council member, yes.”

Williams added that any threat toward a city manager’s position from a council member should be publicly known if true.

Bothroyd said he brought the issue forward because of what he described as two “veiled threats” made toward Faulkner.

“I brought it up because of two things that were said to Eddie that are veiled threats,” Bothroyd said. “If you don’t know what a veiled threat is, it’s a threat that you’re not going to take action on, but you try to terrorize someone with it. That’s a veiled threat. And that’s what happened.”

Public comment reflected broader concerns about division surrounding the airport board.

Airport board member Stan Young urged cooperation between Guthrie and Edmond, saying both cities must work together to maximize the airport’s potential and attract aviation-related business.

“The last few years, I felt like there’s been kind of a division between the Guthrie people and the Edmond people, like the Edmond people have kind of been pushed out,” Young said.

Former airport board chairman Brad Latham voiced support for Aguirre’s removal and read a statement from current airport board chairman Richard Geib, who was unable to attend the meeting.

In the statement, Geib alleged that Aguirre had created division and placed personal interests ahead of the airport’s needs, including failing to remove a damaged aircraft from airport property in a timely manner.

“Mr. Aguirre has shown division and put politics ahead of the good of the airport community,” Geib’s statement read. “Also, his personal agenda above serving the community. As a leader, you are to be held to a higher standard, but instead, Mr. Aguirre has abused his position of authority to serve his own interests.”

Ultimately, the council voted 4-3 to remove Aguirre from the airport board. Bothroyd made the motion, which was seconded by Taylor, with yes votes from Bothroyd, Williams, Duehning, and Taylor. Aguirre, Ropp, and Councilwoman Menecca Gibbs voted against the removal. However, the action required a two-thirds majority vote — five votes — to pass. Because the motion received only four votes, Aguirre will remain on the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board.

After the business agenda, the council convened into executive session, which was not attended by Aguirre. Following the executive session, Aguirre was also absent for the remainder of the meeting.