Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who showed up in support of our cause at the Music City Executive Airport Authority (MCEAA) board meeting on Monday. Your presence was powerful — a strong show of community resolve. But sadly, it was met with silence.

Despite the turnout, no official business was conducted. Vice-Chairman Don Drayton abruptly shut down the meeting, claiming a lack of quorum — even though six board members were present, which, by the Airport Authority’s own bylaws, constitutes a quorum. This has raised serious questions about whether the board is avoiding public scrutiny regarding the proposed lease rate increase.

Notably absent were Chairman Matt Harris and board members Alvarez, Dickerson, Jouvence, and Sheppard. Pascal Jouvence's absence, a City Councilman and Airport Board member, who had encouraged citizens to attend and speak directly to him and the board, paired with the meeting’s abrupt cancellation, has only deepened concerns around transparency, accountability, and a potential unwillingness to face public input.

Adding to this concern is the fact that the official meeting minutes from the April board meeting — where the rate increase was reportedly passed — are still missing from the airport’s website. The lack of publicly available records only further undermines confidence in the board’s decision-making process.

To date, we have received no official communication from the board since news of the rate hike broke, and no documentation has been produced to justify the proposed jump to $1.85–$2.50 per square foot.

Where Things Stand:

The airport board has not reversed course.
The justification for the increase remains hidden.
Many leaseholders remain ignored after trying to renew.
Official meeting minutes for April are still missing.
And your 120+ signatures on this petition are more important than ever.

We are actively organizing next steps and are prepared to pursue legal avenues if necessary. But we also know this battle will be won through visibility, persistence, and community support.

What You Can Do:

Share the petition again — let others know the meeting was shut down and we’re not backing down.
Email and call county leaders — especially those who sit on the airport board.
Stay connected — we’ll notify you of any rescheduled meeting or key developments.
 

This is our airport — and we deserve transparency, fairness, and a seat at the table.