Concord Journal 8/2/01

Redistricting would remove quality rep.

To the Editor:

Having just returned from vacation, I was alarmed to learn that Concord is
in danger of losing Marty Meehan as our representative in the U.S. House,
chagrined that The Journal has endorsed state House Speaker Tom Finneran's
self-serving proposal, and disappointed not to see outrage expressed by
fellow Concordians.

Rep. Meehan has honorably represented Concord's interests for four terms in
Washington, and his influence is growing. Where would campaign financing
reform be without his leadership in the House? His causes include health
(protecting children from tobacco); the environment (he was the sponsor of
the law to include parts of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord rivers as part
of the Wild and Scenic River system, and he has helped Great Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge purchase additional property in Carlisle and
Harvard); fiscal responsibility and " smart growth. "

We should fight to keep this congressman who has steadfastly worked in
Washington on our problems with Hanscom expansion. Meehan submitted a brief
in support of the legal appeal calling for environmental review under the
National Historical Preservation Act, filed by citizens groups and supported
by the town of Concord, the Concord Museum, Orchard House and others. He was
the only one to do so among the three congressmen who represent Hanscom-area
towns (Markey, Tierney and Meehan).

Finneran's rationale and timing are suspect. I understand redistricting
essentially never happens when a state's number of seats in Congress remains
stable and there is no major shift in demographics. I do not believe his
excuse that he " thought " Meehan would withdraw from Congress to run for
governor; it looks to me like another Finneran power play.

They say all politics is local; otherwise, why would Finneran want to see
Massachusetts' clout reduced in Congress by forcing voters to choose between
Meehan and another effective incumbent (Tierney), opening a seat for a
freshman congressman?

I urge our state representatives to oppose redistricting at this time, and
fellow Concordians to express their outrage at the possibility of losing the
representation of a caring, honest, fair, hard-working, independent-minded
reformer.

Leslie Fisher, Middle Street

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