From: Jeffrey D. Wilson

President

Harford County Council

With respect to Carol L. Bowers' article, "Turmoil engulfs Wilson," Harford County Sun, March 15, I offer the following points of clarification.

1. In no way did I purport not to be the County Council president at the now-infamous Board of Education meeting. It was with respect to this that I said, "The worst they can accuse me of is not being clear."

2. In my Nov. 15, 1991, letter to the Public Service Commission, I very clearly indicated that I was writing as president of the council, but that the council hadnot taken a position. It is common -- in fact, a daily occurrence --for individual council members to take positions without respect to the position of the council in toto. Sometimes those positions are even taken contrary to the council position. The specific sentence in question runs: "The County Council of Harford County has taken no corporate position on this issue, and thus I represent myself only in my capacity as the countywide elected president of the council." I don'tthink I could have made it any clearer than that.

3. Bowers wrotethat the Cogen Technologies project "would benefit South Baltimore."My support for Cogen is based in the belief that it would benefit the entire Baltimore region, including Harford County in two ways.

First, Cogen would bring an outside capital infusion of $300 million during a recessionary period. BG&E; would still have major capital needs to address. This would mean a near-doubling of construction activity in the industrial sector, which I regard as a win-win-win situation.

Second, the clean-air benefits of the Cogen proposal are enormous. In that Harford County has air pollution levels approaching those of Los Angeles, it is hard to overestimate these benefits.

Thank you for quoting me sufficiently to give your readers a fair idea of mypositions.

DISINGENUOUS COMCAST

From: Gunther Bienes

Havre de Grace

To: Comcast Cablevision

Aberdeen

Although many of us feel that Comcast Cablevision subscription

rates are exorbitantly high, my first reaction upon hearing that you offered senior citizen discounts were rather positive.

I thought that Comcast had finally joined the numerous businesses in Harford County who offered a financial break to the elderly. I stopped at your office this morning to inquire about further details.

However, any hopes for any reduction in my rates were --ed instantly as I read paragraph 2c of your instructions: "Annual income must be $17,000 or less." You did not advertise that, did you? Well, that was that!

I could easily have acceptedthat stipulation. What appalled me, however, were the numerous documents you demand from those who earn less than $17,000:

* Sources of income, wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, fees, interest income/dividends, capital gains, rental profits, business profits, gifts received, etc. -- just to name a few.

Furthermore, you insist that "proof of age will accepted as verified with a driver's license, MVA identification card, or birth certificate. A senior citizen card will not be accepted as proof of age." Now, really, Comcast, why not require sworn affidavits and witnesses as well?

Frankly, your senior citizen discount offer strikes me as disingenuous -- and I am using a euphemism!

How can you submit the paupers of this county to such indignation? Why don't you insist on a notarized copy of the applicant's last income tax declaration as well? Who of those who earn less than $17,000 has any capital gains, rental or business profits in the first place? The brain who thought up these requirements (of whichI only listed a few) must have been a former IRS employee, I wager.

I do no longer want your business. Cancel my subscription at once.I do not want to become a television junkie anyhow.

Hallelujah, Ishall be free again.

HEARING LONG OVERDUE

From: Kathy Wadkins

Edgewood

It has now been five months since three volunteers were unjustly banned for three years by the Edgewood Recreation Council. I can't believe that these woman, who were a very positive influence onmy daughter, still have not had a fair hearing. Members of the ERC board of directors who voted to ban these women have never witnessed any of the things that they accuse the women of doing.

Many of our community feel that the bans were personal and comments made by some board members at the last ERC monthly meeting I attended seem to support that theory. I attended every practice and game and, like the other parents of the squad, never witnessed Cindy Minacapelli, Cathy Potter or Vickie Tolson acting in any inappropriate manner.

The cheerleading board even tried to keep our daughters from going to competition unless the parents forced the coaches to quit. We insisted that our children would not be used as pawns and the parents asked the coaches to not resign.

Isn't it what is in the best interest of the children that counts? Doesn't it strike people as odd that the parents of the children of the squad support the ladies, but the ERC does not?

A proposal by Harford County was introduced at the last ERC meeting to give the women a long-awaited hearing. The ERC did not seem tobe thrilled with the proposal. Once these women get a fair hearing, the well-documented truth will finally be known, and all will know that any decision the ladies made was what we as parents asked them to do in the best interest of our children.

To the people of Edgewood, please come to the ERC monthly meetings, which are conducted the third Thursday of each month at Edgewood Middle School. You don't have to vote, but you will have an opportunity to express your opinion on how your tax dollars are spent.

1990 RESULTS STAND

From: Winifred S. Jonas

Havre de Grace

Is it possible that (letter writers) Frank Soltis, Robert Robusto, and Carl Rogers have become a "Society ofThree" and have started the 1994 election campaign with Soltis leading the pack with his harsh attacks on the County Council members and the county executive?

Are they attempting to con the Harford County electorate into believing we didn't know what we were doing when wewent to the polls in 1990?

Lest they forget, the voters of 1990 decided that they were tired of "business as usual" and chose a fine group of intelligent, honest, ethical people to represent us in our county.

Maybe we should all stand up and be counted again!

IN DEFENSE OF WILSON

From: Dion F. Guthrie

Joppatowne

I was very surprised to read such a negative letter about the president of the County Council, Jeffrey Wilson, in the Harford County Sun's March 8 Dialogue section, "Impeach King Wilson."

The writer of this letter evidently must live in a "cocoon" and must not get around other counties in this state. If he had, he would see that almost every other county and Baltimore City, to include the state, are in worse financial crises than Harford County. Layoffs, cutbacks, service cutbacks and threats of more layoffs are the norm in every other section of the state, except Harford County.

"Good luck to the county executive?" Understand that the county executive does not rule alone. Cooperation between the county executive, the president and the council is a must if the county is to continue to succeed. I do not think that total cooperation has been achieved, as the county executive has been, without cause, "looking over her shoulder." Remember, there is still some time before the next county election.

Wilson has not opposed business, he has assisted many of the new businesses in their efforts to get started in Harford County. If one is paying "35 cents on every dollar to the government," one better go to the source of that complaint -- President George Bush.

Bush's billions of dollars in tax increases are responsible, certainly not anyone in office in Harford County, including Wilson. Remember the proposal to raise county real estate taxes is coming from the county executive office, not the council or itspresident. Wilson is totally devoted to his job as president of the council; if he has aspirations for higher office (such as Congress, as the writer implied) one would never know it if you watch him in action.

The rubble fill issue is an issue of environmental safety. This is one of Wilson's main concerns. I wonder if the writer of last week's letter would like the rubble in his back yard.

Wilson, to date, has proven his outstanding ability to lead the council and the county, and if he continues, he should go down in history as the best president the council has ever had.

Remember, the county executive does the spending, but cannot do so without the cooperation of the council.

Also, remember, the county executive can veto.

VOTE YOUR FRUSTRATIONS

From: Lou Ann Hewitt

Bel Air

During the last two years, I have done a considerable amount of watching, listening, reading and writing. It is painfully apparent to me how as citizens we fail to act responsibly and in the best interest of not only ourselves,but also in the best interest of those we will one day leave behind.

Too many Americans do not vote and too many Americans who do votedo not vote rationally and intelligently. As a consequence, we are all left with government on all levels that does no justice whatsoeverto the principle of government of, for, or by the people, let alone liberty and justice for all.

I, for one, want my rights back. I donot want to be ruled by anyone. And, I am sick and tired of being threatened at every turn if I do not do what someone else decides should be "the law of the land" when it makes no sense and has no rhyme orreason.

As a result, I have put into circulation a petition calling for a charter amendment to incorporate a recall regulation. This will allow the voting citizenry of Harford County to remove any elected or appointed office holder from office when there is cause to do so. Please make it your business to sign this petition if you are a registered voter of Harford County.

In addition, I am in the process of forming a Harford County Taxpayers Association. For many us, theseare indeed hard times. We can't afford to pay out more tax money on demand. Nor should we have taxes imposed upon us to cover the waste that exists or for the pleasure of this or that special interest group, and certainly not to increase the already super-inflated pockets oftoo many.

This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. This is plainly a money and money management issue. I invite all of you to express your concerns and to become a member.

THANKS TO FUND-RAISERS

From: Dr. Gerald E. Scarborough

Assistant Principal

North Harford Middle School

Pylesville

A special thanks is offered to the parents, students, and teachers of North Harford Middle School for their hard work and support during the recent magazine sales fund-raising activity.

The support given to the Parent Teacher Student Association was fantastic. A special thanks is extended to the cadre of parent volunteers who assisted with the campaign. A heartfelt thank youis offered to the residents and businesses of the North Harford area.