The Metro Nashville Airport Authority seemingly has two operating bodies for the moment — and the six-member state-appointed board met and cast its first votes on Monday.
Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and state House Speaker Cameron Sexton made appointments to the MNAA board via new legislation to take over the state’s metropolitan airport authorities. Those appointees include retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Dennis Cavin, attorney John Cheadle Jr., real estate developer Tony Giarratana, H.G. Hill Realty Co. CEO Jimmy Granbery, Joslin & Son Sign owner Bobby Joslin and Deputy Gov. and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Stuart McWhorter.
Metro is suing the state over the takeover, and Mayor Freddie O’Connell has not made any appointments to the new board amid the pending litigation — though the legislation gives him three appointees.
MNAA President Doug Kreulen cautions board against joining suit that would become 'partisan political activity'
In a 5-0 vote (McWhorter was not in attendance) during its first meeting on Monday, the board adopted a resolution that withdraws the authority from participating in the lawsuit with Metro. Previously, the Metro-run board had voted to retain counsel to join the lawsuit.
The state board also appointed Granbery, who had previously served on the Metro board, as chairman and McWhorter as vice chairman during the meeting.
"It was outrageous to call this meeting today because the Metro Board is still the rightful oversight board for the Nashville airport," O'Connell tells Scene sister publication the Nashville Post. "We appreciate the DOJ stipulating in court that the FAA is granting a stay through July 27, and we are confident the courts will agree that our board is the rightful oversight board.
"Following the first round of litigation in 2023 challenging the state takeover, Congress passed a new law that provides that in the case of a disputed change in control or change in ownership, the FAA will continue to recognize the original board until the matter is resolved with a final order in litigation, or a settlement agreement," the mayor adds. "The law applies to precisely this dispute. Federal law governs here, not state law."
During oral arguments, Metro attorneys argue that lawmakers wrote legislation targeting Nashville
"I fully expect the Metro Board to continue to meet, because it continues to be the governing authority for the airport," says Metro legal director Wally Dietz.
A hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 5, for Metro's motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the law.
After the board resolution on Monday, there was a flurry of actions in the court case. Bradley attorney George Cate filed a motion to represent MNAA as its new attorney and another motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Metro filed a notice of intent file a brief to oppose the substitution of counsel for MNAA.
This is the second time state Republicans have attempted to assume control of Nashville’s airport authority. The Tennessee Supreme Court is considering a case over 2023 legislation seeking to seize control of the board.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
