Posted on 01/18/2007 1:49:09 PM PST by SmithL
NASHVILLE -- Democratic state Sen. John Wilder may no longer be the lieutenant governor, but he can still park his plane for free at the state hangar at the Nashville airport.
Wilder, who had been speaker since 1971, was beaten by Republican Sen. Ron Ramsey of Blountville earlier this month. The Senate speaker also holds the title of lieutenant governor, and is first in the line of succession if the governor dies or resigns.
Wilder this week cleared out the speaker's office at Legislative Plaza so Ramsey could move in. He has flown his plane dubbed "Jaybird" to and from his Fayette County home west of Memphis for decades.
Wilder, 85, has said he plans to serve out the rest of his term despite no longer holding a leadership position. He is up for re-election in 2008.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation, which manages the state hangar, has allowed Wilder to park his plane there free of charge. TDOT spokeswoman Julie Oaks said Wilder -- and any other state lawmakers -- will continue to be allowed to do so in the future as long as there is enough space.
TDOT doesn't maintain or fuel Wilder's plane, although workers will push the plane into the hangar if the weather gets bad, she said.
"It's basically a parking privilege," Oaks said.
By parking at the state hangar, Wilder was able to avoid fees charged by general aviation contractors at Nashville International Airport. One of them, Mercury Air Center, charges at least $60 for the first night, followed by $35 for each following day.
Wilder did not immediately return a message left at his new legislative offices.
Wilder owns a twin-engine Piper built in 1971, according to Federal Aviation Administration records
Gov. Phil Bredesen, who is also a licensed pilot and owns a Learjet, does not park his personal plane at the state hangar, spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said.
One perk Wilder is no longer eligible for is the security detail from the Tennessee Highway Patrol provided to Senate and House speakers. The officer who had been assigned to Wilder for 17 years began trailing Ramsey on Jan. 12, Department of Safety spokesman Mike Browning said.
The trooper's last deed for Wilder was dropping the former speaker off at the Nashville airport, Browning said.
How do you get west of Memphis without being in Arkansas?
OK, I'm over it.
LOL. I saw that too.
"One perk Wilder is no longer eligible for is the security detail from the Tennessee Highway Patrol provided to Senate and House speakers. The officer who had been assigned to Wilder for 17 years."
This is not a wise use of law enforcement resources.
When was the last time a State House/Senate leader was assaulted?
When was the last time there was one worth assaulting?
I gather that Wilder cleaned out his office so thoroughly that there are no records at all.
That won't make the job any easier for his successor.
Swim?
Did Wilder die? HEheheh
You don't.
Well better late than NEVER! Which is what it felt like it was gonna be.
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