Lincoln Journal
November 21, 2002

Massport turns down request to debate issues

By Stephen Hagan / Staff Writer

Politicians do it.

But Massport spokesmen don't do it.

What they don't do, at least for this week, is debate. The transportation agency Monday turned down a request to engage in a debate with Save Our Heritage President Neil Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, in a letter to the editor in this newspaper this week, attempted to convince Massport spokesman Jose Juves to debate him on matter related to Hanscom Air Field and potential plans for expansion of the airport. In Rasmussen letter, the Save Our Heritage member charged Massport has a "history of lies."

Juves did not take the bait.

"There already exists an approved environmental process to discuss this issue," said Juves. "I think the notion that Neil wants to debate is starting off on the wrong foot. If he's serious about discussing the issues, I think he would have to participate in the public workshops."

Eight workshops have been recently held by Massport to consider its environmental review. Juves said he believed Rassmussen has attended only one of the workshops.

In the letter to the editor last week, Rasmussen charged Juves has obfuscated in an attempt to "cover up Massport's history of lies and suggest that residents should not be "frightened" by plans for Hanscom Field."

"It's time to get Mr. Juves out in the open where the citizens can see for themselves whether Massport is telling the truth," reads the letter.

In the letter, Rasmussen challenges Juves to a "Lincoln-Douglas" style public debate. He said he intended to show that Massport has been dishonest in its dealings with the communities.

But Juves said the proper way to discuss issues related to Hanscom is not in a pubic debate.

"It's not government's role to provide him with his own forum," said Juves.

A public hearing about the airport held last week was eventually cancelled by Bedford fire officials after approximately 450 people crowded into the Town Hall to discuss the environmental report. About 250 people attended a public hearing on the issue in the same place last year.

Last week's meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday night this week at Bedford High School.

"I think it's a process that allows for public input and we should all respect that process," said Juves.

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