|
The only thing thicker than the fog early Tuesday morning was the excitement in the air surrounding the Duplin County Airport . Last minute tidying was done as tables and chairs were placed inside the new MFP Corporate Hangar in anticipation of the arrival of special guests. The Duplin County Airport Commission was hosting the February meeting of the North Carolina Aeronautics Council—a 14-member council appointed by the Governor to advise the Secretary of Transportation on aviation grants and other matters the Secretary may refer to them.
Reginald Wells, Chairman, Duplin County Board of Commissioners, welcomed the group to Duplin County and encouraged everyone to spend money, buy fuel and return to visit anytime. The excitement grew as those attending heard the sounds of an approaching aircraft taxiing toward the new hangar. Arriving was The Honorable Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue, the guest speaker and Duplin's own House of Representative member, the Honorable Russell Tucker.
Prior to Lt. Governor Perdue's arrival, Mr. Bill Williams, Director of Aviation—N. C. Department of Transportation opened the Council Meeting by congratulating those involved with Duplin County Aviation citing “the Can Do attitudes from folks here in Duplin—It's that spirit that moves things along.”
George Futrelle, Duplin County Airport Manager, graciously accepted Mr. Williams' compliments adding, “It's because we have good commissioner support; an active, responsive Airport Board coupled with State support—we can accomplish many things at Duplin.”
The excitement was still evident as Representative Tucker introduced Lt. Governor Perdue. “Good things are happening here in Duplin County as evidenced by this new Maintenance Hangar, and I am honored today to share them with this Council and our Honorable guest speaker.” Lt. Governor Perdue opened her comments stating that “she was tickled to death to be in the ‘other DC' this morning— Duplin County that is!” She then continued the compliments citing the NC Aeronautics Council's focus on the importance of aviation to our economy in North Carolina . Lt. Governor Perdue encouraged the group to not forget the importance of pride in community and continued needs in infrastructure. She closed her comments to the Council saying, “Whatever it takes— North Carolina is and will always be the state that is First in Flight.”
Students and representatives from the Duplin County School system made a special presentation to Atlantic Southeast Airlines, (The Delta Connection) thanking them for flying more than 50 students and chaperones from Duplin to Kitty Hawk in December 2003 to take part in the Centennial of Flight celebration. Atlantic Southeast Airlines also announced their upcoming jet service from Kinston to Atlanta beginning in April. A luncheon followed and guests were invited to tour the new Corporate/Maintenance Hangar, which should open in early March. Jet-Techs, LLC will provide full time aircraft maintenance and repair service from the new facility.
|
