The Polk county commission has approved replacement of runway lights at Martin Campbell Airport outside Copperhill. The lack of lighting is adding to the burden faced by East Polk residents because of the rockslide – those who could fly in and out are limited to daylight hours.

County Executive Mike Stinnett said Tony Reynolds had been trying to restore the underground wiring for the lighting but was unable to because of the frozen ground. Once he was able to dig down, he found the wiring was deteriorating. Stinnett noted the power had been turned off but has been turned back on. He said Hans Von Ovost, who holds a lease on the contract, had not yet applied for grant funds for lighting, which was part of a long-term improvement plan. Stinnett said there is not enough money in the budget for the county to cover the cost. In addition to wiring work, he said, some lenses need to be replaced.

East Polk resident Jimmy Helton told the commission, “We need something. We can’t get down the river.” If a patient has to be flown to Erlanger, he said, family members face a three-hour ride to get there. He noted it’s possible to get to Cleveland in 30 minutes by air, but not once it gets dark. He said a lot of folks are wondering why there are no lights. He recalled a time when pilots could use their mike to turn on the lights.

Ray Ford, administrator at Copper Basin Medical Center, said the limited hours at the airport is a significant issue for the hospital, which is struggling to thrive. The hospital recently opened its outpatient surgery center, but the surgeons are in Cleveland so work has come to a halt. He noted that Dr. Siddiqui, who lives in Cleveland, has been taking a plane to get to work but has to leave before the sun goes down. He offered to send a maintenance man to help with the lights, adding he wished the hospital could afford to cover the full cost but is not able to do so. Ford said the county may be eligible for emergency funds, adding he had already been talking to TEMA.

Daren Waters made a motion to take up to $10,000 from the county’s fund balance for the emergency disaster help, noting the county should try to recoup as much as it can. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners hoped there would be enough local manpower to do the work once the materials are purchased. Helton said he would check with nearby airports which have replaced their lights to see if there are usable lights available. Stinnett said anyone wishing to volunteer to help could contact his office.