Straight Talk: Town Hall recap

  • Published
  • By Col. Stacy L. Yike
  • 66th Air Base Group commander
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  I want to thank those people who attended the base Town Hall meeting on June 28. We had a good turnout and talked about a variety of topics. I will host another Town Hall on installation issues in late September.

For those of you who could not attend, here is a brief recap of some of the topics we discussed:

New street lights are going to be installed with pedestrian crossing buttons and motion sensors. In addition to an energy savings project, these lights will flash during non-peak hours so that you're not waiting forever for a green light when there's not another car in sight.

And, did you know the more you shop at the Base Exchange, the greater the contributions they make to morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) activities? Last year Hanscom received $616,000 all thanks to you!

We also discussed the new middle school. Current plans are for HMS students during the2012-2013 school year to have classes in temporary facilities while a new school is built.

An attendee queried about increasing the number of bike racks around base to cut down on the number of bikes just thrown down on the ground. We have already moved a couple of racks around near the bowling alley and fitness center and are looking for inputs from you on where you would like to see racks located.

Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) also briefed us on the misuse of cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan, or DXM. People are buying large quantities and then misusing it or selling it to others. Sale of these medicines is only legal to individuals 18 years and older now in Massachusetts as a result of these issues.

Also, here is some scoop on what is happening in the next few weeks:

Vacation Bible School is Aug. 1-5; a great opportunity for newcomers to meet many of the Hanscom community. Friday, July 15, is the last day for lunch at the club until late August, but the Patriot Lounge remains open on normal hours: Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Friday 4 p.m. until midnight. Don't miss Wings Night this coming Wednesday.

Base employees should not miss the Electronic Systems Center Commander's Call on July 21 at 9 a.m. in the Aero Club Hangar.

We try to keep you up to date on the latest through the Hansconian, posters, flyers and brochures, on facility TVs and electronic marquees, e-newsletters, plus 66th Force Support Squadron news and ticket alerts. Don't know about some of these? Check out the FSS website at www.HanscomServices.com to get connected or visit www.hanscom.af.mil.

I am so grateful to all of you, not only for the hard word you do every day to make our nation a better place, but also for your willingness to share your ideas and concerns on base activities so that we can take action.

If you have a topic to share, please contact my staff at either 781-225-1304 or 781-225-1329, the Straight Talk Line via email at Hanscom.StraightTalk@hanscom.af.mil or through my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/66abgcommander. Thank you for doing your part to make Hanscom an awesome place to live, work and play. Be safe!