Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 4, 1993 TAG: 9306040132
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
But University of Virginia Medical Center officials who provided the helicopter said the hospital's ability to respond to a medical emergency was not compromised.
Wilder and his staff borrowed the Pegasus on May 8 after the state helicopter landed in Charlottesville when a sensor indicated engine problems. Wilder was commencement speaker that day at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
Wilder, a Democrat, was criticized three years ago for using his state police helicopter for personal flights. He reimbursed the state for the flights.
"I realize he's had his problem with helicopters, but it shows the most extreme example of his arrogance," Patrick McSweeney, chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, said Thursday.
"He should have gotten in a car and driven over there. It's only 45 minutes away," he said.
When questioned about the incident Wednesday, Wilder said it would not have been an issue had anyone else ridden in the helicopter.
Glenn Davidson, Wilder's spokesman, said the governor had been unaware of the arrangements being made to borrow the Pegasus.
"I don't even think he knew that there were technical difficulties," he said. "The state police requested independently, and received from UVa officials, permission to utilize the Pegasus helicopter."
Wilder was told the crew would respond to any emergency call, but there was none.
"The ground rules were if they got a call in relation to a medical situation, he would then just become a passenger and his itinerary was over," said Tom Doran, a spokesman for the medical center. "He could ride along and watch them work."
Marge Sidebottom, director of emergency medical services and urgent care, called the incident "a one-time, single event."
"We don't normally make a habit of taking somebody like that," she said. "We're not in that business."
But she added, "I don't think we ever put any of our area in jeopardy because of this flight. We would not compromise the ability to respond to the needs of the region."
Doran said the helicopter was scheduled for a training flight in the Harrisonburg area later in the morning, and giving Wilder a lift just meant leaving a little earlier.
"Because of the fact that we were in the air flying instead of on the ground, we might have been able to respond to an emergency call even faster than usual," Sidebottom said.
The helicopter flight began at 9:48 a.m. and took 15 minutes. Commencement began at 10. Wilder's state helicopter was ready and waiting in Harrisonburg by the time the commencement ended.
Doran said the school sent state police a bill for $640 for Wilder's use of the Pegasus, which is leased by the medical center. State police provide transportation for the governor.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.