Thayer owes airport $16K
By JOLENE CRAIGWILLIAMSTOWN - The Wood County Airport Authority for the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Tuesday discussed the standing of a renter who was arrested last week.
Marietta resident William "Bill" Thayer, 60, was arrested on charges of false pretenses after allegedly hiring a company to provide helicopter tours during the Riverfront Roar in Marietta and failing to render payment.
In addition to his legal troubles, Thayer, owner of the Parkersburg Jet Center, also owes the airport $16,000 in rent as part of the 50-year, $10,000-a-month lease with the airport that includes the former Civil Air Patrol building and Hangar 5.
"A week ago, I sent (Bill) Thayer a letter that states he is in violation of our lease agreement," said airport Manager Terry Moore. "This has nothing to do with his current situation."
Last week, Thayer was arrested at his Marietta residence on warrants issued by the Wood County Sheriff's Department.
He was arrested by Washington County sheriff's deputies, said Sgt. Dave Westfall with the Wood County Sheriff's Department.
The fact Thayer is behind on rent was not mentioned by either Moore or Blair Couch, member of the airport authority, during interviews with The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Nov. 26 concerning Thayer's arrest.
"On Nov. 25, (Thayer) sent me an e-mail note that he intended to pay in full what is owed to us," Moore said.
Moore said he sent the letter to Thayer on Nov. 28 and was waiting for Thayer to pay before it was publicly stated.
The letter Moore sent to Thayer begins a 30-day clock, and if no payment is made, Thayer has seven days to get his property off the airport's property or the items become the airport's, Moore said.
If the lease is voided, which will occur on Dec. 28 if payment is not received by the airport, the airport will only be out of the lease, Moore said.
"As far as the airport is concerned, if the lease is voided, it is transparent to the airport," Moore said. "We are actually up $8,000 because of him."
The airport is also still receiving rent for the space in Hangar 5 because other people with that space are paying the airport.
"Had Thayer not shown up, the airport would still be collecting the same rent from Hangar 5," Moore said.
Thayer's arrest stems from hiring Falcon AirLink Inc. of North Carolina to provide helicopter tours during the Riverfront Roar boat races in Marietta this summer. He allegedly wrote the company a check for $16,000 for the service and canceled the check before it could be cashed.
He remains in custody at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County after he waived extradition from Washington County. He is being held on $15,000 bond. Thayer is expected to be arraigned in the Wood County Magistrate Court Dec. 10.
|
opinionator
|
|
|---|---|
|
12-04-08 4:25 AM
|
omgplease What IS the whole story?
|
|
omgplease
|
|
|
12-03-08 7:21 PM
|
wow do you know the whole story?
|
|
opinionator
|
|
|
12-03-08 5:17 AM
|
Amazing, or is it not so amazing how this guy blew into town with high flying plans, higher ups in the community blindly bought into his elaborate schemes, and no one checked him out. As the old saying goes: If its too good to be true..........
|