RAW VIDEO: Schultz alleges ethical violations at meeting Play Video
Posted: Mar 3, 2010 5:44 PM
Updated: Mar 4, 2010 3:30 PM
An unexpected twist at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting led to a heated exchange between commissioners and airport director Cynthia Schultz.
Schultz addressed the commission regarding a letter her attorney delivered to the city on February 24th.
In the letter, she alleges that there have been ethical violations by members of the airport board, and that after going through the appropriate avenues, she has not received any answers from the city attorney or the commission.
Commissioner Bill Bronson urged caution in accusing airport board members of unethical practices unless Schultz is willing to waive her right to privacy because the issue is a personnel matter.
The exchange between Bronson and Schultz got testy at times, including this snippet:
Bronson said, "I don't think any member of the commission is familiar with the letter you are talking about."
Schultz replied, "Well I would suggest you familiarize yourself with it."
Bronson interjected, "Pardon me, ma'am. Ma'am."
Schultz continued, "Your ethics code commits to me and every other city employee and your citizens that you will enforce your ethics code, that you will be the deciding body over that."
City Attorney Jim Santoro assured Schultz that he will look into the matter and respond as soon as possible.
WEB EXTRA: KRTV has obtained a copy of the letter delivered to Mayor Michael Winters from the attorney representing Cynthia Schultz, the director of the Great Falls International Airport.
The seven-page letter from Schultz was obtained by KRTV; it was then scanned and is presented as individual files below; each link will open in a new window or tab:
Page One; Page Two; Page Three; Page Four; Page Five; Page Six; Page Seven
Verity Anne at Mar 4th 2010 12:16 PM
What a ridiculous thing for her to do - she didn't win any support with behavior like this! Replace her as soon as it is legal to do so.
mommag at Mar 4th 2010 2:05 PM
If anyone in the community does not think that Mrs Schultz had a reason or a right to lose her cool at this city commission meeting you need to do your homework before you voice your OPINION. Read the FACTS, first of all every Airport Authority meeting is on DVD and I do believe that our television stations are at the meetings and tape them also. This situation has been going on for a very long time but as Mr Bronson urged caution before accusing the Airport Authority of unethical practices, I believe that anyone would have lost there cool (I actually think she kept her cool more than another average citizen would have) what in the heck was that. The proof is in the DVD and in writing ect. Its obvious that Mrs Schultz is very smart and this is not a he said she said all of this has been going on for a long time and finally someone with enough ***** to fight for what is right and what is best for Great Falls, Cynthia you came in to an airport with no good history or future and you made it into something to be proud of (the board did not do that) thank you its sad that great falls would rather be a watergate or a greatfallsgate as I call it then to call all to the table with evidence and FACTS.....the boards are there for the best of the community oh I think not...maybe instead of upstanding business owners on the boards or attorneys we need to get some of the regular people on the boards probably less hoopla and get more done for the little people instead of the upstanders.....Cynthia you go GIRL........BUCKLE UP BOARD ITS GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE!!!!!