Rubey: Don’t be bullied with the FBO lease

The negotiators of the fixed-line operator lease continue to show a complete lack of understanding of how much they are screwing over local pilots. The county is granting a Dallas-based company a 30-year monopoly to make $5 per gallon (gross profit) on sales to locals, while most FBOs nationwide make between 30 cents and $1 per gallon .

Our representatives brag about their billion dollar business without understanding that this revenue comes from a disproportionate tax on their own constituents. We are currently living with a terrible deal and it feels like we are signing another terrible deal (for the locals) that we will have to live with for the next 30 years.

Why does the Pitkin County Commission love money and a Dallas-based company more than its own constituents? It’s not too late to fix this. Cost plus $2 is the answer. It’s fair for everyone. They won’t take the deal. I promise it. And if so, ten more FBOs will enter the lease.

Don’t let yourself be bullied. Atlantic is our guest.

Robert Rubey

aspen