Northampton County Council plans to make every effort to keep Braden Airpark in Forks Township operating as an airport.

At their June 6 council meeting, many council members spoke out against the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority's plans to sell the airport to raise revenue and pay off the Airpark's and the authority's debt.

LNAA, which oversees the airport's operation, purchased the airport in 1999 for $2.4 million. The Airport Authority sees selling the airport as a way to reduce its debt. In addition to a $16 million judgment from a lawsuit, the airpark is operating in the red by about $47,000 a year.

But county council wants the only airport in Northampton County to be saved.

To accomplish this goal, council has authorized its solicitor to examine the county's charter to determine if the Airport Authority has the legal right to close the airpark and to sell it off.

Council members also agreed that a letter be resent to each LNAA representative stating their opposition to the sale and the reasons for their wanting to keep the airpark operating. An earlier resolution was sent to just LNAA's director and its chairman.

Council President John Cusick said, "I don't mean to say $47,000 is not a lot of money, but if Braden is sold, it will become a strip mall and condominiums."

Councilman Ken Kraft said the Airpark served many public uses and definitely should not be sold. There was a flight school that leased the facility, and it served as an emergency refueling station for police helicopters.

The airpark, which is located across the street from Merchants Bank and near Weis Markets on Sullivan Trail, provides the community with a facility for everything from training young aviators to hosting Young Eagles events.

While Council members Lamont McClure and Peg Ferraro said trying to convince the LNAA to reconsider its plan was probably not going to be productive, and a strong stand needed to be taken.

Ferraro said taking the time to research ways to make the airpark more viable would benefit everyone.

"Don't sell it! What's the hurry?"

County council solicitor Phil Lauer cautioned council members that any action to prevent Braden's sale must originate with the county's administration. Council would not be able to take any legal action against the LNAA.

Because of the July 4th holiday council's next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. July 2. Council meets on the third floor of Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton.