In the past few months I’ve written twice about plans proposed by our regional airport director to place advertising on the control tower of the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. In October I noted that two citizen committees had voted against approving sign variances that would have allowed the sizable corporate logos from being placed on the four sides of the tower (the aviation company negotiating with Director Bern Case has not been identified). Then, just a month ago, the final arbiter — the Medford City Council — approved the plan, and it looked like the first such branding on an airport control tower in the country would go forward.

Well, now it seems that the plan, which Case said would bring in $3,000 per month in revenue and help lower landing fees, which would make the airport more competitive, is being scrapped . . . for good.

After the City Council met Thursday and voted to revisit their earlier decision to approve the variance, Director Case decided to withdraw the application. It seems that after the November vote, widespread criticism from the community put heat on the council members to reconsider the plan. Case apparently read the writing on the wall, saying, “Some concepts are tough, and get tougher when they take on a life of their own in the media.”

Noting that the airport still needs to find ways to lower the landing fees to remain competitive, he vows to do so, but just not with this controversial plan. For now, the only adornment on our tower is a large wreath and some Christmas lights.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor