LETTER TO THE EDITOR: State Rep. Candidate Mike McCoy Is An “Innovative Problem Solver”

Dear Editor,

Mike McCoy has the “Right Stuff” to be our next State Representative. He proved it to the folks of North Wilmington. A local developer wanted to construct a detox center for those unfortunate people afflicted with drug and alcohol substance abuse issues. While this is a praise-worthy undertaking, it was a bad idea on two levels. The detox center would abut a residential neighborhood. The collateral problems and safety concerns for the families and children were all too real for this peaceful residential area. The second reason this location is a bad choice for a detox facility. The environment is not conducive for recovery. There is a bar and liquor store across the street. The Middlesex Ave. location has considerable traffic noise. To compound that the commuter rail is right next to the proposed location. There is plenty of noise and vibration due to that.

The residents were hoping to get support from our elected and appointed town officials. For the most part, our pleas fell on deaf ears with one selectman calling us NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard).

Suddenly, Mike McCoy listened to our concerns and developed a solution that benefits both the victims of substance abuse and every neighborhood in Wilmington. Mike drafted a new bylaw that provided a real “Win-Win!” The new bylaw opened up industrially zoned areas to medical and detox operations. When the old bylaws were first written industrially zoned areas were noisy, polluted and totally unsuitable for health care. However, today these large tracts of land are isolated and quiet making the perfect setting for health care facilities. Additionally, this bylaw prohibits detox facilities from abutting residentially zoned areas. Unfortunately, for the families in North Wilmington this developer was grandfathered in. However, from this point on, no other neighborhood in Wilmington will have this worry.

When most people face problematic situations they see disastrous results and distance themselves from the problem, Mike McCoy envisions opportunity and embraces the problem. This is exactly the type of innovative leadership we desperately need on Beacon Hill!

Sincerely,
Rick Connearney

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