Airport Name Change Before Assembly Tonight

Jay Barrett/KMXT

At tonight’s regular meeting, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly will be asked to formally endorse a potential name change for the state airport. Since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Alaska Flag designer Benny Benson’s birth, the state legislature could okay the naming of the airport after him.
But both members of Kodiak’s delegation to Juneau say community support is vital to convince the rest of the legislature to agree to the change. Senator Gary Stevens is already proposing a name change for the Akhiok airport, and Representative Alan Austerman may attach the Kodiak airport change to that bill now that it’s in the house.
Benson was a long-time Kodiak resident and worked in the aviation industry here until the time of his death in 1972. The proposed name is the Benny Benson Kodiak State Airport.
The assembly tonight also will revisit the Federal Capital Improvement Program wish list, AND the rezoning of a portion of the borough landfill on Monashka Bay Road.
A proclamation recognizing Women’s History Month and the announcement of the Kodiak Island Borough Employee of the Year also will be made.
The meeting begins at 7:30 this evening, and will be carried live here on KMXT. Here’s a link to the agenda.