Bedford Minuteman
November 14, 2002

Letter: Meeting sent a message

Last Thursday night some 800 residents of the towns surrounding Hanscom Field turned out for the State Environmental Public Hearing on Massport's Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR), which outlines unacceptable expansion of Hanscom Field over the next 15 years. It was an amazing sight to see the waves of people continuing to pour in, overflowing the aisles, jamming into the outer hallways, standing outdoors, circling in cars looking for non-existent parking places.

The huge numbers of people clearly could not be accommodated at the hearing. We want to thank Jay Wickersham, head of the state environmental MEPA unit, for graciously agreeing to reschedule the hearing, which will now be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., in the Bedford High School auditorium on Mudge Way. We also thank Massport for agreeing to the postponement and most particularly our many elected officials who were present and helped handle the situation, State representatives Jay Kaufman, Charles Murphy, Tom Stanley and Susan Pope, Sen. Susan Fargo, HATS selectmen Gary Clayton, Peter Enrich and Lincoln Selectman Sara Mattes (Shelly Moll was out of town).

To all of you who were there, a big "thank you" for coming.

There is no better way to demonstrate to the decision-makers about Hanscom -- the governor, elected officials, Massport and the FAA -- that citizens won't tolerate the kinds of expansion of commercial and jet aviation at Hanscom that Massport is steadily moving towards. Let's do it again! To those of you who were there, please come again. And to those of you who weren't, put Nov. 19 on your calendar and join your neighbors and elected representatives in standing up against (quoting Jay Kaufman) "Aviation Without Representation!"

Margaret Coppe
President, ShhAir
Lexington

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Bedford Minuteman
November 14, 2002

Letter: Opponents are making history

Like the Minute Men on April 19, 1775, our communities have rallied to the call. King George's troops cannot have been more surprised than Massport's minions were by the unprecedented turnout at the MEPA hearing last Thursday. Eight hundred strong, we honored our revolutionary forebears in the best possible way, by standing up for self-determination and local control of our own destiny. And the will of the people prevailed when the MEPA officials decided to reschedule the hearing.

Now it's time to do it again. The rescheduled hearing is next Tuesday, Nov. 19 (an auspicious day of the month), at 7 p.m. at Bedford High School. Experts, elected officials, citizens' groups and members of the public will criticize Massport's plan for Hanscom expansion from every technical, legal and practical point of view.

To support these criticisms, we the people must continue to demonstrate overwhelming political opposition to Massport's plan. If you were there at the first hearing, come again, and bring a friend. If you weren't, don't miss this second chance to make history.

Anna Winter, Executive Director
Save Our Heritage

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Concord Journal
November 14, 2002

Letter: Massport meeting an amazing event

Last Thursday we attended an amazing and exciting event. Incredibly, a crowd of 800 people turned out for the State Environmental Hearing on Massport's Environmental Planning Report. The Bedford Town Hall was filled to overflowing, the outer hall was jammed with 200 people who couldn't get in, and untold numbers stood outside or just turned around and drove away because there was no parking.

The state environmental officials were overwhelmed, as was Massport. The Bedford Fire Department tried to clear the jammed aisles. In the end, the meeting was shut down when it was clear people were not going to leave. The outpouring of citizens demonstrates the worry that residents have over Massport's agenda of expansion for Hanscom Field.

The hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Bedford High School auditorium. We hope that everyone who was at the first meeting will return, and that even more people will come. There is no better way to demonstrate to our elected officials, to the powers that be at Massport, and to the new governor of Massachusetts that people will not tolerate having Hanscom overwhelm our towns.

Charles and Elizabeth Parker
Chestnut Street

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Bedford Minuteman
November 14, 2002

Letter: Reason prevailed, after 'nudging'

"Is this still a democracy or isn't it?" It seems like that shout was required to awaken the panel to the realization that it wanted to usurp the rights of citizens to be heard. I couldn't believe it when the proposition was made that some of the audience leave and come back at the next meeting! That idea from people who are the heirs of those who said "Live Free or Die."

Fortunately, reason prevailed, but it required quite a nudge. Also, the comment from one of the panel members that the panel appreciated the "interest" shown as evident by the large turn-out. That's pandering. It isn't just interest -- it's downright concern and worry that brought all those people out, and will again at the rescheduled meeting.

As for those who look askance at the citizenry and say "NIMBY," that's right, as it applies to the National Historic Park in which the Massport bureaucracy has absolutely no interest.

Nicholas Senio
Reeves Road, Bedford

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