Powerful testimony today from AHEC doctors and pilots about concerns over the move to RDU.
Dr. Bill Henry, chair of UNC’s pediatric cardiology division, set out the case against the move calling the university’s stance that it’s either Horace Williams or RDU “a false choice.”
Henry, noting that appearing at the legislature in opposition of the move to RDU was not a “career enhancing” move, said that while the university says it has thoroughly looked at the issue, there are many who disagree with the conclusion that RDU is the right place for Medical Air. He encouraged legislators to ask the hard questions.
“Ask the people participating (in AHEC) and you’ll get a very different view,” he said.
University officials, led by Carolina North Executive Director Jack Evans and chief lobbyist Kevin Fitzgerald, reiterated the school’s position on the move and its support of AHEC. Pressed by Rep. Rick Glazier of Fayetteville, Evans seemed to leave the door open to opening the search for an another alternative.
……developing
If you ask the hundreds of parents who have children who attend one of the five schools within a mile of the airport runway, you’d most likely “get a very different view” too, especially about the issue of safety.
I don’t understand why AHEC personnel and the private pilots who base their planes at the airport got to speak out at the hearing yesterday but ordinary Chapel Hill citizens weren’t asked what they think (or even notified). Sure doesn’t seem very fair to me.
But then, I don’t have my own private plane, belong to AOPA, or work for AHEC.