Commentary Search

  • Straight Talk: Basketball versus volleyball

    Comment: During this time of year, it seems that volleyball takes over half the court in the new gym. There is concern for safety, as there are more players playing basketball than volleyball and the use of a full court is necessary to allow more space for playing and preventing injury. The older

  • Straight Talk: Gate congestion

    Traffic questions anyone? As I launched into authoring my first newspaper column, I swore I would not repeat the same issues in every column. Instead, I would address a broad set of issues that were of interest to the entire base. Little did I know that the questions I would receive would always

  • Debt to veterans can never fully be repaid

    Despite the rhetoric and divisiveness we witnessed during this election year, there is one topic where Congress historically votes with one voice: supporting our military and our veterans. In early October, Congress approved the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010. This comprehensive bill encompasses a

  • Straight Talk: Customer Service

    Question: Reveille is the signal for the start of the official duty day. Here at Hanscom they play Reveille at 7:30 a.m. How come customer service at the Military Personnel Section isn't open at 7:30 a.m.Response: Hours of operation vary across all the work centers on base and are established to

  • Straight Talk: Traffic safety and Retreat etiquette

    A comment during the town hall meeting: It is hard to see oncoming traffic at the intersection of Scott and Kelly.Response: The Traffic Safety Council convened last week and determined that the bush has indeed grown too large to allow for proper visibility. The Civil Engineering Division will remove

  • Straight Talk: Getting to know your neighbors

    Question: How can we give families on base the opportunity to get to know each other better? I live on Hanscom, but do not work here and, like many residents in the same position, I miss out on some of the base activities and the chance to connect with other families. After all, that's one of the

  • Straight Talk: Shuttles

    I wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended the Town Hall last week. We had a great turnout and many people had good ideas to share and valid concerns to discuss. Stay tuned to Straight Talk for more information on your concerns on traffic safety, parking and a comprehensive calendar

  • Civilian wellness is a priority

    The health and wellness of the predominantly civilian Air Force Materiel Command workforce is one of Gen. Donald Hoffman's highest priorities, one he committed to when he became the commander of Air Force Materiel Command -- and one I, as Electronic Systems Center commander, wholeheartedly embrace.

  • Smoke alarms save lives

    As a member of the fire service for over 35 years, I have seen all too many times the devastation fire can incur on people and their homes. Watching a household endure the loss of their most valued possessions is simply heartbreaking. But there's no greater horror than to witness a family suffer the

  • Straight Talk: Rainy days and safety

    Question: Sprinklers are running up on the hill between Buildings 1107 and 1105B. I realize it's probably a small incremental cost for water, but it seems kind of silly to be running sprinklers when we're already getting it free today. At the Little League ball field in my town, we have a rain