Ousted Airport Commissioner : Gee Defends Her Role in Fighting Noise

Margie Gee, who was removed as a Burbank Airport commissioner by the Burbank City Council because of her combative manner, Wednesday attacked the council’s decision, asserting she was the only member on the board who cared about people affected by airplane noise.

“I am upset that the only effective commissioner is removed when there is a preponderance of those on the board already who don’t understand the adverse effects of the airport,” Gee said.

She said she could have “quietly stayed with the group” or vocally fought for stricter noise controls. She chose the latter course.

‘Some Were Offended’

“Some were offended by my style in doing this, and that is unfortunate,” she said.

Gee, 50, the only anti-noise activist on the nine-member Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, also claimed that her dismissal at Tuesday night’s council meeting was prompted “to some extent” by the influence of “special business interests who would enjoy more affluence with an expanded airport.”

Burbank Mayor Mary E. Kelsey called Gee’s statement “nonsense,” adding that the council decided to oust Gee “only because of her and her actions.”

Council members said Gee showed an unwillingness to work with her colleagues on the board, and seemed obsessed with pursuing relatively minor issues, such as arguing over the content of the minutes of past meetings.

Gee last week clashed with board president Robert W. Garcin and airport officials, saying the minutes of the meetings misrepresented her and reflected “prejudice against me and my participational remarks.”

She said she had chosen to stay away from the council meeting Tuesday, adding that she felt conflicting emotions when her husband, who attended the meeting, returned home to inform her that the council had voted 4 to 1 to remove her.

“There’s a certain amount of relief to not have to face a hostile environment,” Gee said. “But I will be very interested to see who my replacement will be.”

Choice Postponed

The council decided to postpone choosing a replacement until Councilwoman Mary Lou Howard, who also serves on the commission, returns from a three-week vacation.

Councilman Michael R. Hastings, who nominated Gee in 1985 for commissioner but sided with the majority of the council in removing her, said he might nominate another council member to replace Gee. He said he hopes to find someone with Gee’s determination to represent Burbank homeowners.

Gee, a housewife, said she is not ready to discuss her future, although she said she expects to remain active in airport issues. She added that she may attend a few meetings as a private citizen but does not plan to attend regularly.

“But I don’t think I’ll be missed,” she said.