I am writing in response to the editorial dated March 5, 2010. While I frankly don’t care whether Harvard imposes a local meals and rooms tax, I do care about the statements in the editorial reflecting on Devens. The Devens land, to which Harvard seems to think it is entitled, is not part of Harvard. The Devens Regional Enterprise Zone was created for a purpose—to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Army base, not to solve Harvard’s problems. Harvard’s fiscal problems are of its own making. It’s time to stop looking to Devens to fix those problems.
I am also outraged over the implication that Harvard is doing Devens a great favor by educating the Devens children. Harvard was not compelled to bid on the contract. If it was such a bad deal, perhaps Harvard needs a new superintendent. Personally, my belief is Harvard milked that deal for all it was worth and more to once again try to solve its problems on Devens’ back. And finally, to suggest that the cost of providing voter services to Devens is of any real significance is ludicrous. Harvard does not run any elections uniquely for Devens. Just how burdensome is it to permit a few more people to vote in elections that Harvard is already holding?
Harvard is not entitled to anything at Devens except its veto power over any changes to Chapter 498 that Harvard does not like. How would the citizens of Harvard like to have their future in the hands of the citizens of Devens? I bet they wouldn’t.
James Geller
Walnut Street, Devens
