Lowell Sun
June 3, 2003

All show, no substance

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sometimes puts patriotism ahead of perspective, and that was the case last week when it wheeled out politicians and celebrities to concoct the notion that Concord's Minute Man National Historical Park is endangered.

We asked the question, "Endangered from what, whom?" and got a rather dubious reply from tony Trust officials.

"Heavy air traffic, unchecked noise and visual intrusions" from nearby Hanscom Field, run by Massport, are the culprits, they said.

The Trust released no documentation to substantiate its charges, only patriotic verses from Pulitzer-Prize winning author David McCullough, who extolled the virtues of the 900 acres of "sacred ground." Congressman Marty Meehan, former Gov. Michael Dukakis and "friends" dressed in colonial-era garb were also there to trumpet the Trust's "historic" announcement.

This was nothing more than a silly setup to sully Massport.

Flight operations at Hanscom are about the same as they were 40 years ago 281,248 annually. Modern aircraft whether commercial or private jets are more fuel efficient and less noisy.

Hanscom Field, built in 1939 or 20 years after Minute Man won its national designation has evolved into a great economic engine for the state. It provides easy access to air transportation for the 40 research and development centers situated on Hanscom's military base, as well as Merrimack Valley businesses. Massport deserves credit for developing the field for regional air travel, and lessening the demand on Boston's Logan Airport.

What really rankles us is that Meehan continues to patronize groups like the National Trust and Save Our Heritage when their agenda has little to do with park preservation and all to do with eradicating an airfield that abuts upscale communities. In a related matter, Meehan is allied with Sen. Edward Kennedy to help save Hanscom's military base from being eliminated in the Pentagon's next round of base-closings to be announced later this year. Base operations contribute $25 billion to the state's economy. Does Meehan believe the military base will fare any better if Hanscom Field is shut down or its flight operations diminished?

Meehan's straddling the fence on this one. His name is on the letterhead for Save Our Heritage, a nice way to gain campaign contributions from the preservationist crowd opposed to Massport's regional air concept. At the same time, he caters to defense manufacturers and business groups that depend on Hanscom Field.

Like the National Trust, Meehan's fooling no one.

Hanscom Field operations aren't despoiling Minute Man park just like Logan's countless flights aren't despoiling Boston's historic landmarks.

If Minute Man National Historical Park needs any protection at all, it's from media-hungry organizations and politicians staging events to use it as a pawn.

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