Beford Minuteman
Thursday, June 13, 2002

New director, same old story

To the editor:

Like his predecessors, new Massport director Craig Coy continues to insist that the role of the communities in determining the future of Hanscom Field is "not primary . . . one of many resources that we have."

But these communities are not mere "resources" for Massport to consume as it sees fit — they are the stewards of one of the most important historic sites in America, and they intend to fulfill their responsibility to guard the historic and natural treasures of this area for future generations. The conflict with Massport will continue until the communities secure the primary role that Mr. Coy would continue to deny them.

It’s amazing that Mr. Coy sees no "reason to stop that impetus for growth" in this region. Greater Boston is already choked by sprawl and overdevelopment. Concord, Lexington, Lincoln and Bedford have resisted this trend to a remarkable degree. If Hanscom’s growth over the next 10 years follows the pattern of regional growth over the past 10 — which Mr. Coy seems to think is desirable — the historic character of these communities will be utterly destroyed.

Minute Man National Historical Park, Walden Woods and Pond, and the other nearby historic sites draw over two million American and international visitors a year, bringing millions of tourist dollars to Massachusetts. Who will want to come here when drastically increased commercial passenger aviation creates permanent gridlock on the Battle Road, when an endless stream of jets drives the last vestiges of serenity from the North Bridge and Walden Woods? Jet operations at Hanscom are now at triple their 1995-96 levels! This growth must be stopped, not "accommodated" as Mr. Coy would have it.

Massport pays no taxes and has no stake in the quality of life in our communities. It sees everything through the narrow lens of its own financial self-interest. Instead, we need big-picture, environmentally sound regional transportation for New England. We need to promote high-speed rail and electronic conferencing as alternatives to air travel. And we need transportation planners who recognize that you don’t destroy one of the handful of sites that both define our national beginnings and are in remarkably unspoiled condition for the sake of convenience and profit. We’re not going to let the market dictate Hanscom’s future. Our national heritage is not for sale.

Anna West Winter, Executive Director
Save Our Heritage
Concord

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Lincoln Journal
Thursday, June 13, 2002

Massport head seen by one as arrogant

To the Editor:

It was only wishful thinking to ever have thought that the new Massport Director Craig Coy would bring any democratic values to his new job.

When Barbara Forester asked him ( "Massport chief shares thoughts on Hanscom," in the June 6 edition of the Lincoln Journal) "What role do the communities have in Massport’s vision for Hanscom?" his response was "not a primary one." Then when asked where Hanscom will be five or 10 years from now he says "you can see what has happened to this region. I don’t know of any reason to stop that impetus for growth."

So, Mr.Coy believes that without any meaningful community representation he is going to grow this airport. Mr. Coy did display some irony alongside his arrogance. He says that he is "declaring peace." The fact is Mr. Coy and Massport will never know peace as long as Massport continues to shut out the surrounding towns.

These towns will continue to fight the tyranny of Massport, and we will not stop until we have achieved self-determination and this airport is in balance with these residential towns.

Mary Derbyshire
Brooks Road, Lincoln

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