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To the Editor,
I was delighted to learn that Mike Barrett is a candidate for the state Senate seat being vacated by Susan Fargo.
When I moved to my neighborhood, impacted by airplanes flying into Hanscom Field, I got involved with the local citizens working to contain Massport’s expansion of the airport. It was then that I met Mike, who has quietly devoted both time and political savvy to this effort.
Mike served as the chairman of HFAC (Hanscom Field Advisory Commission), appointed by the Lexington Board of Selectmen to represent them. Behind the scenes he has met over the years with citizen activists and representatives from historical preservation groups who care about limiting the impacts of the airport on this area. His counsel was always wise and enhanced our efforts to be effective against the powerful state authority Massport. As our Senator, his deep understanding of the issues regarding airport expansion in our midst will be very helpful to our legislative delegation working on this at the state level.
Mike’s volunteer efforts regarding Hanscom have made very valuable contributions to our local communities. And they are an excellent example of the commitment and skills he would bring to all the issues concerning the 3rd Middlesex District.
Rae Andre
Liberty Avenue
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
11:50 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Rae,
You bought a house near an airport. Get used to it.
Reverend E. Raleigh PImperton III
Alan Blackbourne
1:46 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
I have to agree, we moved here knowing there was a GA airport in the vicinity. Its a fact of life. Expansion of the airport operations isn't desirable, of course - but the airport does provide a significant public service and does have economic impact. Far more impact than that new Panera. I don't have a horse in the race but good job to Mike Barrett regarding his work on the HFAC. Looks like the HFAC hasn't had a meeting since 2009. What has he been doing since then?
Lily Barrett
7:48 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Alan,
HFAC meets every month and the next meeting is June 19.
As you know, the air force base and the civilian airport are separate. Mike supports the former, precisely because of the serious R & D it performs and the jobs it supports. Massport's Hanscom airport is quite different. That said, Mike does not propose to harm the civilian airport's core mission of general aviation. He does oppose Massport's strenuous attempts to expand that mission to include freight service and regular passenger service. Either would bring damaging noise impacts to the national park and surrounding homes and have an unconscionable impact on tourism, an economic and jobs driver in its own right.