It's nicer to ask in person

markjohnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:32:30 -0400

N.C. Department of Commerce officials haven't quite asked for a refund on their quarter-million dollar jet deposit -- yet.

Commerce Secretary Jim Fain dispatched a letter to jet maker Cessna on Friday explaining that the state was scrubbing its planned purchase of a Citation Encore Plus, tab: $9 million. Last week, when news media inquiries prompted the cancellation, Fain and others made clear they would seek a refund of the state's $250,000 deposit, made in July.

In his letter, though, Fain indicated he'll wait to meet in person before asking for the money back. He made no reference to the money in the letter and wrote that he hoped the early notice would help avoid any "serious impact" on Cessna.

"We would like to sit down with a Cessna representative within the next ten days to discuss the scope of any such impact," Fain wrote, "and the resolution of any outstanding issues."

Department spokeswoman Deborah Barnes said those issues include the refund.

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It's nicer to ask in person