Navy tries different tact to get OLF site

[unhappycamper]

Navy tries different tact to get OLF site
By Gary D. Robertson - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Sep 23, 2007 15:01:36 EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Navy’s record on pushing a jet practice landing field in Washington and Beaufort counties has been called manipulative, deceptive and downright disrespectful by opponents.

“The Navy’s arrogance prevailed throughout,” said Jennifer Alligood, chairwoman of North Carolinians Opposing the Outlying Landing Field. “They were stubborn.”

Now with its preferred choice all but blocked by Congress and opposed uniformly by North Carolina officials due to environmental concerns, the Navy’s top brass hopes a different tact — cooperation — will lead to a suitable location.

Rear Adm. David Anderson, vice commander of U.S. Forces Fleet Command in Norfolk, Va., acknowledged at a public meeting where six new potential sites in North Carolina were unveiled last week that, at times, the Navy looks like it makes unilateral decisions, then dares anyone to stop it.

“Occasionally, that perception’s not far off from being very accurate. We have come to realize that,” Anderson said. “We want to have more information and greater dialogue to see if there is a win-win.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_navylandingfield_070923/