Maybe we should stop trying to “save” Otis AFB

Now that the F-15’s have been ordered out, almost every Cape Cod elected official is engaged in trying to “save” Otis Air Force Base and Camp Edwards for exclusive military use.

Before we go all the way down this road, I think we should take a careful look at what’s been going on at Fort Devens, in Ayer, Mass. After 79 years as one of the larger military bases in New England (I used to go there for summer training in the late 60’s), Devens closed in 1996, after a long and unsuccessful fight to keep it open.

That “failure” was the beginning of an incredible success story.

The stage was set by 1993 state legislation setting up a planned community. The community is governed by the “Devens Enterprise Commission,” a panel of six local residents and six representatives from the region’s business community. The Commission’s operations are supported by permitting fees and two percent of property taxes paid by Devens’ businesses and residents for municipal services.

The Commission has taken advantage of Devens’ large quantity of open space and good location to create an impressive mixed-use community. Not only does it have hundreds of units of housing, along with beaches, recreation areas and a golf course, but, thanks partly to its rapid permitting process (90 days or less) it has already enticed more than 80 companies to set up shop in the community.

Right now more than 4,000 workers are employed at Devens – twice the number of civilians employed by the Army when it ran the base. And Bristol Myers/Squibb recently announced that it will locate a $660 million manufacturing plant at Devens.

Wouldn’t Cape Cod be better off if something similar happened at Otis?

First we could move the Barnstable airport (along with it’s multi-million dollar federal subsidy) to Otis, which has much longer runways. This would allow the Coast Guard to stay at Otis and, at the same time, provide much better passenger service from the Cape. Planes could take off from here, fly to Green in Rhode Island and then go on to destinations all over the country.

For those who are worried about the noise, I can be reassuring. I volunteer at an office right off the end of a Barnstable runway and I am near the approaches to Otis. One F-15 taking off or landing is many times noisier than any four civilian planes added up!

With the airport right there, many businesses would be attracted to Otis. Add a quick permitting process, as Devens did, and we can expect hundreds, maybe thousands, of new jobs to be created.

Then there is the chance to add hundreds of units of residential property. I suggest small condos and rental properties to provide reasonably priced workforce housing for young families. This will keep hundreds of Cape Codders from having to cross the bridge to find good jobs and a reasonably priced place to live.

Is this something on which the Cape Cod Commission could do a feasibility study?

Time for Teamwork?

The Associated Press report of the semifinal basketball game between the U. S. and Greece, “Greek teamwork cramps U.S. style” in tne Cape CTimes could well apply to the Bush administration’s approach to virtually everything they have done.

“The U.S. put on a jam session for the fans … the Greeks lined up at the other end and shot free throws.” “The U.S. has dazzling skill; the Greeks are a dazzling team.” Coach Krzyzewski, for whom I have the greatest respect, said, “We learned a lot because we played a team that plays amazing basketball and plays together.”Greek guard, Papaloukas said, “… we’re not very good athletes like them, but we know how to play the game. We are very clever.”

The Times article continues, “No matter what defense Krzyzewski tried, the Greeks found open shooters beyond the 3-point arc or open lanes to the basket.”

Now we try for Bronze.

Isn’t it time the Bush administration played a little teamwork with others before we all end up playing for Bronze or worse?