Praise welcome for teachers

I am writing to thank you for your editorial, "An 'A' for effort," which praised the faculties of Rodgers Forge Elementary School and Sandalwood Elementary School for innovative and caring methods of grading and nurturing children. In this era of teacher bashing, this was a most welcome exercise of praise for very deserving people. We hope this is the first in a series of editorials recognizing the dedication and effectiveness of teachers.

Despite the dismal fiscal climate, teachers continue to be imaginative, dedicated and energetic in providing quality instruction for children. The March 17 "sick-out" by a small group of teachers in the Baltimore County Public Schools received broad media coverage. It should be noted that approximately 98 percent of the professional staff provided quality instruction that day. Classes were covered by colleagues, administrators, supervisors, instructional assistants and volunteers without impinging upon the already strained budget for substitutes. The "sick-out" was not encouraged or condoned by either the Board of Education of Baltimore County or the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.

We totally understand the frustration and anger of employees because of the furloughs which were caused by a budget reduction of $7,814,000. The manner with which faculties coped with the "sick-out" was most commendable. It is obvious to everyone that teachers and other employees have received shabby salary treatment in recent years. They deserve 10 percent salary adjustments rather than reductions. Unfortunately, in the present fiscal climate, this is impossible to achieve.

It is refreshing for teachers to hear that their continuing imaginative, caring and dedicated efforts are appreciated.

Robert Y. Dubel

Towson

The writer is superintendent of Baltimore County public schools.

Orioles' attitudes

Bob Miller, a spokesman for the Baltimore Orioles management, recently responded to charges by Del. Howard P. Rawlings of Baltimore that the Orioles are neglecting African-Americans in the new stadium activities. Mr. Miller responded that "the team is proud of work we do with inner city kids, the underprivileged kids, with the handicapped and the disabled."

It is quite insensitive and irresponsible of Mr. Miller to characterize the African-American community as "inner city," "underprivileged," "handicapped," "disabled" and as "kids." Perhaps Mr. Miller is unaware that our community comprises all walks of life and spans a wide socio-economic spectrum.

Mr. Miller's statement reflects the very attitudes that perpetuate division between the races and contribute to a neglect of African-Americans in important events in our city.

Judith Kitz

Baltimore

Just over the line

My husband and I filled out applications for the Ateaze Senior Center. We were excited about joining, but when it was learned we are city residents, we couldn't get a card. We have lived for 35 years in the same place, a couple of blocks from the county line.

We could come to the center as guests but couldn't join. If it's government-funded, it should be open to everyone. We pay higher water bills, higher house taxes, more car insurance.

I have friends who go there. It's closer than other centers and on a bus line. It really hurt deeply to be turned away. I would have been a good member. I love to laugh and have a good time and help others. I almost cried. I just tore up our applications into tiny pieces. A member picked them up.

When I die, my body will be in the county, but it will be too late then.

Helen Antkowiak

Baltimore

Low blow

I don't get it. If everyone in the Bush campaign is so sure that the president has the Republican nomination in the bag, why are they spending so much money to try to discredit Pat Buchanan?

I was angered by a recent television ad in which Mr. Buchanan was criticized for owning a Mercedes-Benz. It was a political "low blow" designed to take some of the air out of Buchanan's "America First" campaign and divert public attention away from Mr. Bush's lack of solutions to America's economic woes.

Not surprisingly, the ad was very effective with its target audience, the many disaffected auto workers in Michigan. On a campaign visit to a local GM plant, workers refused to even talk with Mr. Buchanan and would not allow him to bring a television crew into the plant.

This kind of insignificant, childish mud-slinging is becoming a trademark of the Bush campaign (who could forget Willie Horton?). Unfortunately, it is a sad commentary on the way in which our country chooses its leader.

Christopher Boggs

Bel Air

Replace Congress

What has happened to the intelligence of the voting public? I see letter after letter blaming President Bush for all our country's ills. Don't the writers realize that his hands have been tied by a Congress which is not interested in our country, but only in discrediting the opposite party.

The recent check-passing and other scandals in Congress should alert the voting public to the fact that President Bush is not the culprit. Get on the ball! Replace all of the incumbent congressmen -- regardless of party -- with men and women who are honest and have the welfare of the United States of America at heart rather than with representatives who only care for their own welfare and that their party is in power when a reform is made.

The two-party system was meant to be a system of checks and balances, not one of "defeat the other party no matter how much it costs the country."

Elizabeth B. Cook

Baltimore

Train youngsters how to decide

Parents have become increasingly concerned about the direction children are heading relative to their sexuality.

Some parents feel that the way to handle the situation with teens is to preach to them that premarital sex is wrong, but if they choose to participate in premarital sex, we will supply them with condoms. It sends a mixed message to our kids. Do parents mean abstain or use caution?

Instead, a better course to follow might be to put more emphasis on educating our kids about the consequences and advantages of making decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives. Adults can begin teaching at an early age that wise decisions are important throughout life.

Laws dictate to drivers that excessive speeds cause accidents. Drivers are not handed helmets and told to fasten their seat belts and hope for the best. Teens can be taught that unsafe sex can lead to AIDS or unplanned, unwanted pregnancy.

What parents cannot do is decide for them which route to follow. One of the very basic principles that all of us live by is the freedom to make choices. Children need to be able to exhibit that same freedom.

The process of decision-making begins early in life. Parents should endeavor to help their children develop good decision-making skills so that when it comes time to make choices, they will have a better understanding of what choice is best for them. The sooner people of all ages realize the impact of their decisions, the sooner they will take responsibility for their choices.

Jean Webb

Fawn Grove, Pa.

Parking nightmares

The baseball season is about to begin and the anticipation of being in a brand new facility is at a peak. The new stadium will seat approximately 48,000 people and there were only 5,000 additional parking spaces created.

How long will this high last when the paying public realizes that the convenience of driving to the baseball game has been all but abolished?

The powers that be are banking on the fact that a vast majority of fans will use the public transportation system -- the transit bus and the light rail -- to reach Camden Yards.

It must have escaped their attention that public transportation users are a minority.

The majority depend on the convenience of their automobile for commuting, particularly those fans in outlying areas.

The present suburban residents have at least two cars in their driveway and haven't ridden a bus since high school.

There are people in this generation who have never ridden on a public mode of transportation at all.

With just about every household in the area being a two- or three-car facility, it would seem highly unlikely that there will be an eagerness to "take the bus."

The paying public will soon become very frustrated when their "freedom on transportation" has been taken away.

There may be more construction in the Camden Yards area this spring than anticipated.

When the public outcry becomes very intense, it won't be a surprise to see several parking garages spring up overnight.

Mary J. Miller

Baltimore