CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory says the city of Charlotte should keep ownership and control of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
The former Charlotte mayor also told WFAE-FM on Monday that former airport director Jerry Orr should not get his job back.
State lawmakers approved a bill to shift control of the airport from the city to a regional commission. A judge has blocked the transfer while a lawsuit is considered challenging the legislation. A hearing in the case is scheduled Dec. 11.
Orr was removed the day after lawmakers approved the bill.
“He’s been great for the airport, but it’s time to move on,” McCrory said. “I think Jerry could still add some value, but it’s time to move on. This is not about an individual.”
Orr would not talk about McCrory’s comments.
“It is not for McCrory to make these statements,” said Sen. Bob Rucho of Matthews
“When you have a top leader, a CEO of a business, you don’t just cut it off, you allow them to implement a transition,” Rucho said.
McCrory did not publicly oppose the airport commission legislation, and because it was a local bill, he did not have to sign or veto the law.
Mayor Patsy Kinsey said it “would have been nice” if McCrory came out in support of the city’s position earlier.
McCrory said Monday he didn’t get involved in the airport fight because it was Charlotte matter.
“When I was mayor of Charlotte we kept the politics out of the airport,” he said.