Lincoln Journal
Thursday, May 10, 2001

(1) Letter: Massport comments not well received
To the editor:

In response to Jose Juves of Massport's comment that "You have to remember
that at the end of the day Hanscom Field is an airport," he would be well
advised to himself remember that at the end of the day Minute Man National
Historic Park is a National Park. Unlike Hanscom, it has been created for
the entire country to enjoy, not just those who can afford a ticket and put
their own convenience ahead of our national interest.

Lexington resident and Massport Chairman Mark Robinson would also do well to
remember this when he considers whether to allow continued commercial
expansion at Hanscom. His "profits before people" philosophies are certainly
going to leave a sorry legacy for his children's generation.

I challenge the Massport Board and Acting Governor Swift to stop their
shameful actions and do the right thing by the American people: stop
destroying this place that historians consider an American treasure. In the
words of historian David McCullough: "If there is hallowed ground in this
country, it's right there in Concord and Lexington."

Charles Lamb, Lexington

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(2) Letter: Residents urged to oppose expansion

To the editor:

If there were ever a modern day call to arms for the folks who live around
Hanscom (Airport), this is it. Four - repeat four commercial airlines are
talking about initiating service from Hanscom. That's in addition to Shuttle
America, which is bankrupt but still flying and talking about new plans for
routes. That's business in America today.

Three airlines have specific proposals for a total of 20 more operations,
which brings Hanscom up to 42 commercial operations a day. A year and a half
ago we didn't have any.

Already some 5 percent of our towns are in the range of Environmental
Protection Agency standards for aviation noise impact. Already
administrators of a number of our schools are concerned about aviation
noise. Already residents in Bedford are talking about jet fuel residue on
their homes. No one needs reminding that our roads are already at capacity
and beyond.

There is a crisis facing us. Do we stand by and let this happen? Do we let
our busy lives distract us from protesting the damage that Massport is
inflicting on this remarkable place at the heart of one of America's most
important historic landmarks?

What can you do? Join ShhAir, the citizen's group fighting expansion at
Hanscom: call 781-674-9755 or go to our Web site at www.shhair.org or email
us at info@shhair.org. Come to the May 15th HFAC meeting, Bedford Town Hall,
7:30p.m. The CEO's of two, maybe three, of these airlines will be there to
hear your opinions in person. Let your voice be heard - what is happening
here impacts all of us.

Jim Hutchinson, Lincoln

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