The Flathead County commissioners on Monday declined to reappoint longtime Flathead Municipal Airport Authority board member Tim Grattan to another term because he does not live in the Flathead Valley year-round and often attends board meetings via conference call or Skype.

The commissioners instead appointed Trevor Schaefer of Lakeside, a United Airlines pilot and real estate developer.

Schaefer, an Air Force officer, also is an F-15 instructor pilot with more than 2,000 hours of military flying time. As a private pilot he has more than 4,000 hours of flight time in everything from tail-wheel aircraft to L-39 jets.

There was a high level of interest in the Airport Authority board vacancy, with eight applicants for the five-year term. The board has oversight of Glacier Park International Airport.

Commissioner Jim Dupont said he was in full support of Grattan until seven months ago when he learned that Grattan spends much of his time out of the area.

“It tears me up emotionally not to vote for him,” Dupont said.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman supported Grattan’s reappointment, saying he believed it was in the board’s best interest to continue with the incumbent.

Commissioner Dale Lauman, who spoke via speaker phone due to illness, didn’t address Grattan’s attendance at board meetings specifically, but said that comments he’s gotten “makes me think we need to start changing the board.”

Three people voiced concerns about Grattan’s attendance during the commissioners’ public comment session on Monday. Eric Wood, Natalie Moore and Kim Williams all said they want someone on the board who lives in the valley full time.

Grattan has served on the board since 1999 and said in his request for reappointment that he believes his many years of development and business experience, plus knowledge of the valley’s “geopolitical landscape,” make him a valuable board member.

Glacier Park International Airport Director Cindi Martin and Airport Authority Chairman Hank Galpin submitted letters to the commissioners in support of Grattan, noting Grattan’s dedication to the board.

During public comments, Martin noted that Grattan has missed only one board meeting this year.

Longtime board member Jim Trout also stressed that Grattan has been a valuable asset to the board.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected].