NICEVILLE -- The trustees of Northwest Florida State College effectively scrapped a $6 million airport project, insisting it is a valuable community asset but nonetheless feeling the weight of Gov. Charlie Crist's demand that the money be returned. (audio here)

The board abandoned the project but held out hope that Crist would back off his request that more than $300,000 already spent would not have to be repaid. "It's going to impact our school and our kids," said trustee Dale Rice.

"Ray Sansom has done nothing different than the prior speakers of the House. When he got that $6 million, it was a real blessing for the college to get." Sansom got the money in 2007, when he controlled the House budget.

"I take great concern with the presentation of the indictment," said trustee Brian Pennington. "I think the grand jury got it wrong. I think the grand jury got it wrong."

Crist indicated this week that he planned to withhold the money and he asked the college to reimburse more than $300,000 that has been spent on design and preliminary planning. At least one lawmaker, Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, said he would seek a return as well.

A dramatic moment came when Gary Yancy, a college vice president, was asked whether there was any talk of using the building for aircraft purposes. At first Yancey said he did not want to answer because of the  investigation.

But when urged, he replied: "Early on I was involved in discussions with Dr. Richburg about the potential of renting that space back out to cover operational costs of that facility," Yancey said.

He added, however, that it changed with time and the lease with Odom precluded his use.

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