Pilot reappointed to port authority board

Barrington Homes President Bill Martin has been reappointed to the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Board.

Martin was appointed to the board in December 2015 to serve out the remainder of Debonne Vineyards owner Tony Debevc’s term, which expires Dec. 31.

Debevc recommended the Lake County commissioners pick Martin as his replacement. Martin, like Debevc is a pilot, and Debevc said it was important to continue having a pilot on the board as the port authority continues making improvements to the Lost Nation Airport and works on a new master plan.

The port authority took over the airport from Willoughby in October 2014.

“As a pilot, Bill brings a very valuable perspective to the board,” port authority board president Art Lindrose wrote in a letter to the county commissioners asking for Martin’s reappointment.

Martin’s new four-year term runs through the end of 2021.

After the dissolution of the Greater Mentor Port Authority earlier this year, Lake County’s port authority expanded its board from seven members to nine. Currently eight of those seats are filled. Board member Rita McMahon stepped down at the end of October because she moved out of the county.

McMahon was the lone female member of the board. Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy has said he’d like to see another female candidate take on the position. McMahon’s replacement will serve out the remainder of a term that runs through 2020.