Rep. Calvert Outraged at Comments Made by LA Airport Officials

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement in response to comments made by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials in court filings that were reported today by the Los Angeles Times.

"The comments attributed to LAWA Chief Operating Officer Steve Martin in today's Los Angeles Times article are offensive and highly unprofessional. If the quotes are accurate, I believe he should be terminated immediately.

The attitude and biases of high ranking LAWA officials makes it crystal clear that they do not have the best interest of the Inland Empire in mind. The court filings demonstrate that the city of Los Angeles is running the Ontario airport like a slumlord. Los Angeles is unfit to operate Ontario airport."

According to an article in today's Los Angeles Times:

• "Steve Martin, LAWA's chief operating officer, referred to the Inland Empire as the 'inbred Inland Empire' in April 2013."

• "During a presentation to the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners this year, Martin referred to board-authorized improvements at Ontario International "as a storied tale of charity toward the Inland Empire.'"

• "Mark Thorpe, a former LAWA marketing director, said that adding airline service to Ontario was a goal when he was hired. But Lindsey told him in 2008 to focus more on LAX and less on Ontario."

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