March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Closure panel behind schedule

WASHINGTON — The independent commission studying proposed military base closings is falling behind its schedule.

Contrary to earlier announcements, the seven-man Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission now plans to meet on the final weekend in June and to put off many of its votes on base closing issues until Sunday, June 30, the day before the commission is to make its recommendations to President Bush.

Commission Chairman Jim Courter said Commissioner Arthur Levitt Jr. is unable to attend the meetings on June 28 and 29, but wants to vote. “We’re not trying to create a cliffhanger effect” by deferring votes until the last day, the commission chairman said.

Courter insisted last week that the commission finish its decision-making process by June 17 or 18, at the latest. But he said this week that the commission needs the extra time to look into questions raised by community leaders during base visits and regional hearings.

During Thursday’s meeting, the commissioners expected to hear detailed staff briefings on Air Force and Army bases that the Defense Department wants to close. They were to hear about Navy bases on Friday.

But the Air Force briefing, interrupted frequently by questions from the commissioners, took all day. Courter said the Army briefing would begin Friday, followed by the Navy.


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