Santa Claus Returning To Buchanan Field and Byron

     Contra Costa County Airports in conjunction with Bay Area Skydiving and the Sheraton Hotel are pleased to announce the return of Skydiving Santa.  Saint Nick will be descending upon Buchanan Field and Byron Airports on Saturday, December 6, 2003.  The event benefits the Contra Costa Food Bank.
     The jump at Buchanan Field Airport is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.  Santa will be landing near the transient ramp behind the Sheraton Hotel (45 John Glenn Drive, Concord).
     The jump at Byron Airport will be at 2:00 p.m.  Santa will be landing in the field across

from Bay Area Skydiving (6900 Falcon Way, Byron).
     As always, the event is free, although, anyone who would like to take a picture with Santa is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Contra Costa Food Bank.
     In the case of inclement weather, Santa will be greeting the kids at Buchanan Field Airport inside the Sheraton Hotel.  At Byron Airport Santa will be in the Bay Area Skydiving hangar if the weather is not cooperating.
     Please call the Director of Airports office with any questions at (925) 646-5722 or    e-mail [email protected]

Airports Staff Holding Community Forum

     A community meeting with Contra Costa County Airports staff has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2003, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Pacheco Town Council Community Center at 5800 Pacheco Boulevard, Pacheco. 
     Items to be discussed include, but are not limited to:

• Airport history
  
• Community outreach
  
• Airport ordinance
  
• Noise complaint process
  
• The upcoming Master Plan
  

     Additionally, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet with Airports staff.  Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier has been invited to attend, and refreshments will be provided.
     With the success of this meeting, Airports staff hopes to meet with the Community on a semi-annual basis to provide information to the neighbors of the Airport about what is going on within the fence-line.  Please call the Director of Airports office with any questions at (925) 646-5722 or e-mail Doreen Arens at [email protected]

Keith Freitas Named New Director Of Airports

     After a long, exhaustive search, Contra Costa County Airports have a new Director at the helm ... Well, sort of.  Keith Freitas has been promoted to Director of Airports.  Mr. Freitas was previously the Assistant Director of Airports and has been Acting Director since January of this year.
     Mr. Freitas was born in San Leandro, California and raised in Fremont, California.  He is married and has two children, ages six and ten.  They live in Clayton.  Keith graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Man

agement.  He holds a private pilot certificate and is an active pilot ... Well, as active a pilot as he can be with two boys involved in every sport known to mankind! 
     Mr. Freitas has held various positions at Long Beach Municipal and San Jose International Airports before coming to Contra Costa County.  His experience ranges from operations, maintenance, facilities, and noise abatement to property management.  Keith has been with Contra Costa County since December of 1997, when he accepted the position of Assistant Director of Airports.