FAIRHOPE – Worries that the U.S. Navy might land here were addressed by members of the Fairhope Airport Authority on Tuesday. The panel told three residents gathered for the afternoon meeting that naval aviators will not be using the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport for training anytime soon, if ever.

Members recently voted unanimously to authorize Airport Authority Chairman Chuck Zunk to engage in talks with Navy officials concerning rumors they might shutter the Silverhill Navy Outlying Field and move the training operation to Fairhope.

The possibility spurred a flood of criticism from residents who are concerned such a move would lower property values and hurt the quality of life for those living near the airport.

“There has been a great deal of progress in developing this airport,” said Dan Valentim, an Orchard Lane resident. “What we’re concerned about is it will generate some noise, and what it will do to the value of our property. I don’t have a million-dollar home, but there are some a half-mile from me. I want to see the airport developed, but in a way that’s right.”

Valentim, who said he has an extensive aviation background, also worries engaging in talks to explore the pros and cons of training flights being based at the Callahan Airport could “drive a wedge” between the authority and those who might support future projects.

Safety is another concern for Valentim. He said, “Any time you increase traffic, the odds increase that you’re going to have a collision. That’s just a fact of life.”

Lori Aprilliano, Whiting Field Naval Air Station public affairs officer, recently said NOLF Silverhill in June generated a total of 158 sorties and 880 touch-and-go landings.

Zunk made it clear he has not yet talked with anyone concerning navy flight training.

“We’re not trying to solicit this,” he said. “We heard the Navy may be looking to close Silverhill and relocate to Fairhope. The (authorization) was to give me the stamp of authority if they want to talk, and we don’t know if they want to talk.”

Louis Mapp, an Airport Authority member, said he would be inclined to vote against making a deal with the Navy because friends approached him and said they oppose training flights originating in Fairhope.

“They wonder how much noise and how much traffic there will be,” Mapp said. “This is a not-in-my-backyard issue. I’m basing it strictly on my friendship with these people.”

Zunk said, “Until I hear from the Navy, we don’t have any facts to discuss with them. But, we are a public use airport and anyone can use it, including the Navy. It doesn’t mean we have to accommodate them.”

He added he doubts Navy officials would “force the issue.”

Mike Ford, a city councilman and member of the authority, said “Rather than snub the Navy and snub our congressmen, we’re going to listen to them. We’re doing this as a courtesy. We’re not going aggressively after this.”

Ford added, “I don’t think anyone is considering this. We’re not trying to hide anything from anybody. We’re going to listen to the people.”

In other business, the Airport Authority:

• Nominated officers who could serve as chairman, vice chairman and treasurer of the body during the 2008 fiscal year, which begins in October. A formal vote will be taken at a future meeting.

• Discussed the process of submitting names to Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant, who will fill a vacancy on the panel. The possibility of bringing a qualified woman or minority on board was explored.

• Reviewed the treasurer’s report and talked about the 2008 budget.

• Heard from Chairman Chuck Zunk, who has been negotiating with BellSouth/AT&T and Baldwin EMC concerning the burial of utility lines on County Road 32, north of the airport. Removal of the poles supporting lines at the end of the runway would improve safety, Zunk said. The communication giant is also working with the authority to secure an easement on airport property for installation of a switching station.

• Looked at funding options for a new terminal building. The cost of building and equipping the facility is estimated at around $1 million.

• Mapped out land use and design options for newly acquired property adjacent to the airport.

• Discussed the need to purchase a $100,000 weather monitoring station to improve operations. The nearest such station is located at Mobile’s Downtown Airport (Brookley Field), which is 12.9 nautical miles away.