Lincoln Journal
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
Letter: Park designation lauded by resident
On Thursday May 29, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Minuteman National Historical Park and all of the historically significant sites in the neighboring communities of Lincoln, Lexington, Concord, and Bedford were to be listed among the 11 most endangered sites in the U.S.
The park and the sites around it were chosen specifically because the National Trust wants to protect them from the noise, pollution, and traffic brought on by ever-expanding corporate and commercial operations at Hanscom Airport. The trust's 11 most endangered designations have helped save Monticello, Manassas, and hundreds of other national historical treasures from destruction by development, commercialization, and aviation. In spite of the pouring rain, 300 people came to the Old North Bridge on Thursday to came to celebrate the trust's recognition that these places are of national-not just local-importance.
Congratulations to Save Our Heritage for nominating the Park and the neighboring sites for this designation. Congratulations to ShhAir, park officials, lawmakers, and all of the volunteers who have worked so hard for so long to save our historic treasures from the short-sighted plans of Massport. This designation by the National Trust is a sure sign that you are not alone. Way to go!
John Petty
Brooks Road
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Lincoln Journal
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Letter: Trust threw up an honest road block
Mr. Craig Coy of Massport was a guest columnist in the June 5, Lincoln Journal/Concord Journal/Bedford Minuteman. He made a number of points that we should question him further about.
He begins by stating, "a band of professional activists did our community and our country a disservice..." Since the event so described was a press conference of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is Mr. Coy actually calling the Trust and its members a "band" in the business of "disservice" to our entire country? The National Trust for Historic Preservation was founded by Congress, enjoys bipartisan confidence and support, is funded by private donations, and is solely in the honorable business of preserving important sites from expansionist corporate interests. Is there a reason that the National Trust was not once mentioned by name in an article of sufficient length to do so?
Mr. Coy goes on to say that this press conference was an attempt to "hijack sacred American symbols in order to advance a self-interested cause." Is Mr. Coy suggesting that the National Trust and its members are being disingenuous? Or that the National Trust and its members are unenlightened enough to be played as pawns by others who are disingenuous? Isn't Mr. Coy's real problem that a reputable, objective, non-partisan and nonprofit organization, concerned only with preserving the sacred from expansionist threats, has thrown an honest roadblock in the way of Massport's "self-interested cause" ?
One overriding yet very simple question emerges: Why, Mr. Coy, do you find it so hard to believe that those who fight to protect Minute Man National Historical Park, Walden Woods and the countless other sacred places in the area do so for precisely the reasons we clearly state? A simple answer to that question, without additional inflammatory rhetoric, would be most appreciated.
Mr. Coy goes on to say: "As a nation, the history of flight is our history." While we all admire the inventiveness of the Wright brothers, would we necessarily go on to commend the aviation industry as we know it in the 21st century? Without turning to that topic, shouldn't we at least recognize that the aviation industry is no more of a "defining development" for our country than fast food, the atomic bomb, the railroads, the automobile industry, the gun making industry, MTV, the steel industry, coal burning utilities, Hollywood, etc., etc.? Does Mr. Coy seriously suggest that patronizing the aviation industry as supported by Massport is the moral equivalent of preserving these sacred places that nourish the soul and inspire not only our country, but also the world?
Finally, we were pleased to see that Mr. Coy does agree that we are indeed in the midst of "sacred American symbols." We assume that when one calls a place "sacred" one naturally sees it as being different from other places and worthy of special treatment. We then ask Mr. Coy: Isn't that the sole point being made by the National Trust for Historic Preservation?
John Williams
Garland Road
Lincoln
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Lincoln Journal
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Letter: Cartoon said to be in poor taste
No matter which side of the Hanscom issue one is on - too many planes, not enough planes, status quo - the editorial cartoon in the June 5 Lincoln Journal was tasteless and extreme. The protestors were all portrayed as strident and stereotypically elderly. Not only was this (displaying ageism), it was far from reality.
Phoebe Francis
Lincoln
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Lincoln Journal
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Letter: Resident slams Massport head
The recent guest column in the June 5 edition of the Journal, submitted by Craig Coy, CEO of Masssport was a crude attempt to malign the growing numbers of Americans who recognize the enormous threat to our national, historic and cultural treasures, at the hands of Massport. His arguments are as senseless as they are distorted, since his shameful attempt to gain public support with endless rhetoric about wealthy towns not bearing their share of responsibility (for increased volume of air traffic at Hanscom) is a clear manipulation of the truth. These wonderful communities have taken on more than their share of responsibility through their tireless efforts to defend and protect our sacred treasures and resources from further growth at Hanscom, which is the second busiest airport in the northeast region of the country.
Mr. Coy's attempt to use reverse psychology to gain public support for his agenda is quite obvious, and quite an embarrassment for him as well. By invoking the name of Thoreau, and referencing the brave Minutemen, the spirit of the Minute Man National Historic Park, the Kitty Hawk, etc. you would think his agenda is in perfect harmony with nature, and that his patriotic duty would require nothing less than total victory over the skies.
As for his sarcastic label "band of professional activists", one wonders if he is referring solely to the National Trust organization or to (all) in attendance at the event on May 28 when the park became officially designated as one of "America's Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places". This seems to have triggered his need to demonize all those who helped make this a reality.
Clearly, he demonstrates a denial of the fact that his opponents do not exist only within the boundaries of the four Hanscom towns. They come from all walks of life and from many parts of the nation and the world. They all share in the common goal to eliminate further desecration of our nation's birthplace, by remaining united against Massport's path of greed and destruction. It appears that Mr. Coy is becoming somewhat desperate about this reality, as the growing support and respect for organizations such as Save Our Heritage and ShhAir represents a clear and present danger to the potential of further growth at Hanscom. It would appear that this collective effort has become his worst nightmare. I sincerely hope so.
Elizabeth Millar
Battle Road Farm
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Lincoln Journal
June 19, 2003
Letter: Massport head slammed by resident
In a Guest Column of June 5, Craig P. Coy, chief executive officer, of the Massachusetts Port Authority stated, "The airfield generates little traffic, flights consist of mostly small student aircraft, and the size and location of the airport keep impacts away from park visitors and nearby residents."
This statement is either an expression of gross ignorance or is intended to divisively mislead the population of the state beyond the communities that surround Hanscom. It certainly is not an honest and comprehensive representation that includes and admits to the undeniable noise pollution generated by corporate jet traffic from morning to night.
Either ignorance or intentional misrepresentation should be an adequate reason to replace this "coy" fellow with a CEO who is honest, well informed, competent, respects our irreplaceable historical heritage and who is able to focus on a regional plan that will best maintain both our heritage and our environment. Members of the Authority, please take notice and take the recommended action necessary to establish the credibility of Massport.
Michael Tannert
Linway Road
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