From: Michael Kauzlarich

Edgewood

My hat is off to the Edgewood Recreation Council for finally breaking its long silence on the cheerleading problem and answering some of its critics. What at first appeared to be a rigid recreation council board of directors turned out to be a rather tolerant board of directors dealing with an unyielding group of "ex-employees."

After attending some of the Edgewood Recreation Council's public meetings, Iam convinced that the council has been more than fair.

The ladiesinvolved had their cases appealed at three levels within the council, plus numerous public council meetings. They even attempted mediation at the county level. The end result was always the same: the Edgewood Recreation Council's decision stood.

It is apparent that these ladies want to go through as many appeals as it takes until they heara decision they like. But instead of abiding by the council's decision, a decision based on a set of bylaws they agreed to follow when they volunteered, these ladies chose to begin a focused public relations campaign, complete with media involvement, and letter writing by well-meaning friends.

The three ladies involved have attended every meeting with their

following in tow. I found it ironic that these people have the time to attend meetings but not time to assist the council with recreation programs for our children and community.

I applaud the Edgewood Recreation Council for having the fortitude to stick by a tough and unpopular decision.

Usually, in recreation programs it is the children who are influenced by adults.

In this case, it's reversed. It's the adults who are acting like children.

Editor's note: The writer's wife, Nancy Kauzlarich, is parliamentarian of the Edgewood Recreation Council.

COUNCIL VIOLATED RULES

From: Catherine R. Potter

Vickie J. Tolson

Cynthia J. Minacapelli

Edgewood

We are extremely pleased that public outcry has forced the Edgewood Recreation Council out into the open and to state a firm position on banning us, which we feel is not justified. But the article in The Harford County Sun (March 22, "Rec councils grapple with how to discipline volunteers") needs a few points clarified.

1. The Harford County Sun reports that the "council refused to participate in ahearing before the newly created Appeals Board." Unless there was a unilateral decision made by one member of the board of the Edgewood Recreation Council Inc., the final decision to recognize Harford County's appeal process was not made by ERCI.

The appeals process issuewas first brought before the council by the ERCI president at the February meeting. Discussion began concerning the issue, but it had to be tabled due to another problem concerning the boys basketball program. The March ERCI meeting adjourned early and did not address this issue.

2. The article reports that the ladies were banned and that ERCI representatives stated that they did what was necessary according to the bylaws. The problem is, the ERCI did not follow the rules. The secretary's report of the ERCI January meeting clearly points out that the bans were passed under questionable parliamentary procedures. The "motion to ban" in itself was in violation of the ERCI's bylawsand Harford County rules governing recreation.

In the ERCI motionto ban, it states that if we did not accept our bans, the cheerleading program would be abolished. This motion clearly contradicts the purpose of the ERCI's mission and rules governing the ERCI. It may alsobe a violation of our First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

3.Cynthia Minacapelli has never been told exactly what she has done tobe banned. She has asked on numerous occasions to have her exact alleged violations documented.

4. The Harford County Sun reports thatthe ERCI wanted to settle the dispute in-house. ERCI's idea of settling this issue in-house was at the November meeting, when it gave everyone exactly two minutes to state their case.

5. The article reports that we don't want to listen to the ERCI. We do want to listen; they don't want to talk to us. We have asked

on numerous occasions for a face-to-face discussion on the cheerleading issue, but the ERCIdeclines.

6. We think the ERCI should know the embarrassment their actions have caused the children of Squad 1.

This issue is no longer about children or cheerleading; it is about a recreation board that will not address community concerns.

Is it not ironic that Minacapelli and Catherine Potter were asked recently to serve as volunteer managers in another sports program within the ERCI?

On a positive note, we commend the Forest Hill Recreation Council which drafted specific arbitration procedures to avoid this type of problem. We only wish the ERCI could be so bold.

KEEP YOUR $2, COMCAST

From: B. J. Fleming

Bel Air

Comcast Cablevision has insulted the intelligence of senior citizens by offering a measly $2 discount and then asking for information which is none of their business. My doctor doesn't ask those kinds of questions.

I do not expect anything because of my age, but I do not expect to be treated like a mindless body either.

LEGISLATORS LOSE TOUCH

From: Maggie Green

Van Bibber

A friend called and informed me that Sen. William Amoss, Dels. Rosemary Bonsack, Donald Fry and Mary Louise Preis voted for the tax and budget package that included a $251.6 million increase in new general taxes. Sen. Habern Freeman, Dels. James Harkins and David Craig voted against the tax and budget package.

I was not surprised. When some people get to Annapolis, it does not take them long to lose touch with reality or the people back home.

Most of the time, it takes delegates three or four sessions before they start catering to the lobbyists and start listening to the good old boys that have been pushing buttons for a long time in Annapolis.

The freshman Dels. Fry, Bonsackand Preis must be fast learners since they learned how to play the game with the lobbyists and the good old boys in less than two full sessions. As for Sen. Amoss, he is one of the good old boys.

My friend said to me, "Maggie, they may be fast learners but they sure have short memories, because they have already forgotten what happened in the last election when the people voted to throw the bums out, and itlooks like they need the same treatment in the next election."

I explained to my friend the reason they vote for tax increases early in the game is that they think the people will forget before the next election comes around. However, I don't think the taxpayers will forget this time that Bonsack, Preis, Fry and Amoss voted to raise taxes when many of their constituents back home are struggling to pay theirexisting taxes and the cost of living.

I told him not to worry, they will be reminded at election time. The voters won't forget who voted to raise taxes instead of cutting government spending where it really needed to be cut.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

From: Gwendalynne G. Corkran

Bel Air

I would like to thank all the voters of Harford who voted for me on March 3 for delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Although I lost overall in the congressional district, the strong win local voters gave me in Harford County permitted meto come in fifth out of a field of 16.

This is no easy accomplishment when running against voters from heavily populated Baltimore County. It is something which I believe Harford County should take note of and be proud.

I could not have done this well without the support and faith of the people of Harford County, and I am sincerely grateful.

For all those individuals who supported me in this campaign,I would like to offer a special thanks for all their hard work and continuous words of encouragement. It made this campaign very special.