Endorsement for incumbents in Hampstead election
What type of leader would you like? People with proven experience. Our incumbents have proven they are the right ones for the job. I have heard “time for a change” and “I will listen to the people” from opposing candidates. I want someone who will do things for our town, not someone trying to pretend they can please everyone. Hampstead is coined “the safest place to raise a family.” Because we have incredible leadership.
Our mayor, Chris Nevin, has extensive knowledge and experience running a budget such as ours, finding the resources to fund our police department, improve the water system and road infrastructure, while keeping our tax rate among the lowest in the county. He has served as Maryland Municipal League board member and currently leads the Carroll County MML. He is active in NCRC as a coach and referee. Recently, he was involved with the American Legion to place military banners along Main Street.
Jim Roark takes pride in helping others. He is consistently at the top of the list for the Ronald McDonald fundraising campaign and organizing programs to help Carroll County children and families in need. His vision for Hampstead is to maintain the small-town, family oriented feel , while continuing to keep our town one of the safest places to live. Jim also works to ensure that our current businesses continue to thrive and grow, while attracting new businesses. Both of these help keep our taxes at a low rate.
David Unglesbee is another top-notch candidate. His work with the old Richards Cemetery, turning the grounds into an "old English Garden" is wonderful. He is working with State Historical Society to place a sign commemorating President Coolidge visit to the train station in Hampstead. Dave will work towards continuing the economic development of Hampstead, keeping the small-town feel we all enjoy.
Under this group of leaders, our town is "The best town to live in Maryland.” Why stop all these good things in our town by voting for anyone else? I trust these three will continue to make Hampstead a great place to live and great place to raise a family. People like them are the reason I moved here 20 years ago.
Vote, at Hampstead Town Hall May 14, for those instrumental in running Hampstead. Chris Nevin (mayor) and Jim Roark and David Unglesbee (town council). Your vote counts!
Deb Painter
Hampstead
Human misuse ‘primary culprit’ for antibiotic resistance
Many years ago, they were finding medications in our state’s drinking water. Since this is the state of Maryland, the first place they looked to place blame was farmers. Valerie Connelly of the Maryland Farm Bureau spoke out, saying that when she asked what to do with her grandmother’s old prescriptions, she was told to flush them down the toilet. Where do you think they went? The Maryland State Grange is a charter member of the Rx Drug Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI), which educates the community on the proper disposal of unused medications, and more importantly, fighting the opioid addiction crisis. Saturday [was] National Drug Take Back Day. If you missed it, please go to the RALI MD website to find the proper way to dispose of medications. Do not flush them down the toilet! Many pharmacists and police stations accept drugs year-round.
I would like to address the op-ed by Kaitlin Williams in the April 24 edition of the Times about antibiotic use in cattle. The “Chicken Man” who advertises on Larry’s Country Diner TV show uses the catch phrase, “No antibiotics, ever!” A comic on the show recently asked him, “What happens if one of them gets sick? Do you just let it die?” That seems to be what Ms. Williams is recommending. She states that cattle growers give medications orally to avoid residue detection. Very few antibiotics are effective when given orally. Tetracycline is the main one. It is true that it was used routinely in non-lactating livestock feed. We had to specifically ask for feed without it. Strict new federal regulations now require a veterinarian prescription to feed tetracycline orally. As a dairy farmer, every load of my milk is tested for the presence of antibiotics. There are clear withdrawal times that we have to follow for milk and slaughter.
Drug resistance is a serious issue. Let’s not overlook the fact that human misuse of prescription drugs is the primary culprit. The livestock industry is working to do its part. In conclusion, antibiotic resistance is being reduced by the responsible use of antibiotics in livestock!
Allen Stiles
Westminster
The writer is president of the Maryland State Grange.
Obstruction charges possible without a crime
In David Price's recent letter he asks if there is no underlying crime charged, can someone be charged with obstruction of justice. I'm not a lawyer, so can't render a legal opinion. But I did work as a paralegal in the criminal justice system, so let me give my personal opinion. If I overhear a friend say he wants to murder someone, and the police question if I overheard my friend's statement, and I lie and say I didn't, I could be charged with obstruction. Regardless of whether my friend actually attempts to commit the crime or not.
From my reading of what's in the Mueller Report it seems the president wanted to hinder and/or end Mr. Mueller's investigation. He only failed to do so because a number of his aides refused to carry out his bidding. The fact that he didn't actually commit the crime is not the point. We expect more from our elected officials.
Frank Rammes
Westminster