Comment / By James / March 25, 2009, 9:32 a.m.

There is a huge issue I hope everyone will get on board with me on. While accidents happen every day, and so sadly there is nothing that can be done to bring these men home, the fact is there is one thing that we call can do to right a wrong that was done to these gentleman’s family members. I cannot be alone in my absolute OUTRAGE that Airport Manager Jacqueline Hulsey refused to meet with Mr. Gustafson’s wife and daughter who flew out from Florida earlier this month. Not only did she willfully and cowardly avoid them when they came to the airport to find any shred of information so that they can begin to process this horrible accident, but this woman had the audacity to refuse to see or even speak on the phone with them. Was she told to do this by her superiors, or was this her own amazingly disgusting act? Undoubtedly it would have been a very difficult conversation, but it was the LEAST THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE. Then to childishly claim her cell phone battery was dead and she couldn’t even be reached by PHONE? How absurd, shameful and shockingly callous.

If you care about this issue too please take a moment to call or email the Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors and express your outrage, and please read Rick Gustafson’s wife’s account of the despicable way she and her daughter were treated below. Mrs. Gustafson, as a member of this community, I am ashamed of how you were treated by a Humboldt County employee paid with OUR TAX DOLLARS! Board Chair: Jimmy Smith email: jrsmith@co.humboldt.ca.us Phone: 707-476-2384 Board Meets Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. 1. Judi Gustafson: March 12, 7:08 p.m. I am Rick’s wife. The article mentions the airport manager…this is the same manager who didn’t have the professional decency or courtesy to meet with me or Rick’s daughter on Tuesday afternoon. First we were told that she had just stepped out of her office and to have a seat, and then her receptionist told us she had left for the day. When asked for her cell phone, conveniently her battery had died and she didn’t take her phone with her. Conveniently, she was going to be making rounds to other local airports for the next couple of days and wouldn’t be available. I realize that she is not personally responsible for the error in reporting the arrival of my husband’s plane but she is ultimately responsible for everything that happens at that airport. I have the name of the employee incorrectly reported their arrival…while this error may not have resulted in their successful rescue, my husband and the pilot were never given that chance. The lives of countless travelers are in your hands each and every day and to be so cavalier and caloused about human lives disgusts me. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord…may God have mercy on your souls as I have none for you.