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ALPENA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Compassionate Care. Cutting-edge Technology. Right Here.
December 15, 2009
Dermis J. DeVany
Chief, Essential Air Service Division
Office of Aviation Analysis
US Department of Transportation
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington DC 20590
RE
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Support for Subsidy of Mesaba Service to and through Alpena County
Regional Airport
Mr. DeVany,
I am yyriting this letter in support of the establishment and continuation of a Federal
subsidy for Mesaba Airlines, Inc (d/b/a Delta Connection) for the provision of connecting
service from Alpena, Michigan to Detroit, Michigan. Per correspondence from you to the
Mayor of Alpena, Ms. Carol Shaflo, it would seem that "Intrepid International Airlines"
and their submittal for DOT consideration are at the least, daringly non-responsive.
As the sole community hospital and regional referral center for a four county rural region,
we depend on air transit for our health care community's needs. Whether it is
transporting physicians and allied health care providers to and from our area for the
provision of service; or shuttling local entrepreneurs to and from clients out of our area;
or even facilitating general access, service, and business opportunities, Mesaba has
exhibited it can meet the demand.
Mesaba Airlines has provided our connection to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) for
several years, and although weather in Northeast, Lower Peninsula can interfere with air
transportation in the winter months, Mesaba has generally been a satisfactory solution to
ensuring air transport out of and into this isolated, rural and frontier region. Mesaba has
made many improvements to enhance reliability and efficiencies, which has in turn
fostered a trust with our local business and governmental leadership and community
members. An outright rejection of the Mesaba proposal could result in significant job,
service and revenue losses.
According to the Dictionary provided at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intrepid
the term "intrepid" has the several synonyms, including brave, courageous, and bold; the
antonym listed was timid. Considering Mesaba's competitor does not presently operate
an airline in our State; and considering the interim provider cited (Atlanta Southeast) was
Northeast Michigan's Leading Provider of Specialty Services
1501 West Chishohn St. • Alpena, Michigan 49707-1498 • (989) 356-7000
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not even aware of the service proposal; and, finally, considering Mesaba's competitor has
no agreement in place with Chicago Midway for service, nor an agreement with a major
carrier, I would intrepidly state that Alpena passengers would indeed be timid using a
service other than Mesaba. We are frankly not interested in being bold and brave when
it comes to transporting our residents, business friends and family.
In conclusion, I strongly encourage the US Department of Transportation to negotiate and
then approve a subsidy for Mesaba Airlines. If you have any further questions please
don't hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Ointgn M. Bohlen
Business Development and CUnical Services Department
Cc:
Lee Shirey, Target Alpena Development Corporation
The Honorable Carol Shafto
Billi McRoberts, Alpena County Regional Airport Manager
John G. Spanjers, Mesaba Airlines