MTA Personnel
In the Oct. 26 article, "Black Caucus hits racism in Maryland government," reporter Frank Langfitt wrote concerning the Mass Transit Administration that "whites made up more than 85 percent of high-ranking officials as of last summer."
And while Mr. Langfitt started the story, he didn't complete it.
What Mr. Langfitt didn't report is that at the news conference, where members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus criticized state agencies, Del. Clarence "Tiger" Davis applauded the work of the MTA and Administrator John A. Agro, Jr. for their efforts to remedy alleged past hiring and promoting inconsistencies.
Mr. Langfitt neglected to report that in the last 18 months during Mr. Agro's tenure, the organization has increased the number of African-Americans not only on the senior management team, but at all managerial levels throughout the agency.
Minority representation has increased in almost every job category: officials/administrator; professional; technicians; protective service and office/clerical.
Finally and most important, Mr. Langfitt didn't share with your readers the alliance between the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus and the MTA or the shared vision to eliminate any issues involving racial or sexual discrimination.
We acknowledge that every issue has not been resolved. But, as recognized by the Black Caucus at the news conference, as well as in the report that followed, according to Delegate Davis, ". . . improvements have been made since Mr. Agro was hired as the administrator. It takes time for progress to happen."
And later, "Mr. Agro came to the MTA in late 1993 and instituted changes in classifications, upgrades and other personnel actions that improved the conditions of employment." The report went on further to illustrate the actual changes and improvements in hiring and promotional practices.
The MTA has worked diligently in the last 18 months to be an agency that treats employees fairly and equitably, regardless of race, creed or color. We can only ask that The Sun be just as fair in its reporting of the news.
Sidney E. Williams Jr.
Baltimore
The writer is director of administration for the Mass Transit Administration.
Garbage Persons
The Sun's reporting of Garbageman Appreciation Day at the Baltimore RESCO facility was par for the course. That is, reporter Brad Snyder's Oct. 15 article completely missed the point.
For the past seven years, the employees of Baltimore RESCO have sought to honor sanitation workers. All sanitation workers are welcomed to enjoy the parade and have lunch and receive a free baseball hat.
Over 1,000 meals of hot dogs, hamburgers, Tasty-Cakes and sodas are distributed. It should also be noted that Garbageman Appreciation Day originated at the Baltimore RESCO facility and is now celebrated nationwide.
For his article, Mr. Snyder does not focus on the theme of the event, nor the 997 garbagemen who enjoy it.
Mr. Snyder finds three women whose only complaint is the word "garbageman" and then finds enough trash to fabricate a "news article."
David W. Czawlytko
Baltimore
Tailhook
I feel the current Tailhook judgments favoring Lt. Paula Coughlin are deplorable, despicable and a total miscarriage of justice.
It is a perfect example of the misguided judicial system in this country, which places political correctness ahead of true justice.
Here is a woman who joined a male-dominated combat organization, attended a convention in Las Vegas where alcohol and raucous activities were abundant, then complained because of the natural end results. What did she expect?
From all accounts, Lieutenant Coughlin was voluntarily having her share of the "good times." She was not coerced into any of the activities. Did she think she was entering the Brownies or a nunnery when she joined the armed forces?
As the saying goes, "If you are going to talk the talk, then you have to walk the walk."
Had she been raped, or had assault and battery been committed against her, I would have a different opinion. But this was not the case.
For these indiscretions, she has received nearly $7 million.
Now she has stated she would like to put all of this behind her and lead the quiet life. I really hope her conscience will not permit her to do that with such ill-gotten gains in her fat bank account.
I hope she will see fit to give the nearly $7 million to the families of those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They have received a mere pittance compared to Lieutenant Coughlin's take.
If her morals are as pure as she would have us believe, I know she will follow this advice because anyone of such high standards could take no other path.
Thomas F. Allen
Severn
Call for a Common-Sense Party
I am completely disgusted with the political process.
All year long, the voters have been subjected to the worst kind of childish behavior from almost every candidate for office.
Taking the cue from our leaders, we have displayed a child-like impatience ourselves in casting our votes. Now we're right back where we started from, demanding change.
Change is what we wanted two years ago. Remember? Back when we elected President Clinton.
"Wow," we said. "A Democratic Congress and a Democratic president! Something might actually get done, something might actually change."
Well, unfortunately for everyone, we didn't get what we wanted fast enough. We voters threw a temper tantrum at the polls. Have we lost our minds?
What happened to all the ideals we supported when we elected the current administration? What happened to education? The environment? Why are we so impatient? All I have is questions.
One thing I have learned, however, is that voters have incredibly short memories.
The obvious examples being the election of Marion Barry in our nation's capital, and the fact that Oliver North was even seriously considered for the U.S. Senate in Virginia.
But our memories also fade when it comes to entire political eras. Remember the Bush years? Four years of nothing but gridlock and partisan bickering.
Doesn't anyone remember Reaganomics? Massive defense buildups? Trillion dollar deficits? Social programs slashed to the bone?
The American middle class became an endangered species during this era. Remember?
Of course we don't remember. We don't even remember the last two years. A combination of Republicans back-biting and Democrat waffling watered down a crime bill, killed a health plan and --ed the hopes of many Americans.
So? Throw the bums out. We did. We had plenty of reasons to do so. The challengers made sure of that. Bombarding us with negative campaigning seems to work. It certainly takes our minds off the issues.
The campaign was so ferocious, that it was impossible to tell if any of the candidates had any class. If they did, they had to stoop to conquer, in order to counter the mud flying their direction. Childish.
The ad that immediately came to mind was Ellen Sauerbrey's "this is your wallet" ad. I can't imagine what the campaign would have come to had it gone on a little longer.
As I write this letter, I don't know who the governor of our state will be. It doesn't matter. The lesser of two evils is still evil.
The two candidates are so diametrically opposed, I can't imagine either one being able to govern effectively knowing that half of the population opposes their policies. I shudder to think.
The election is over. The votes have been cast, and still the childish behavior continues.
The new Republican Congress has announced its own agenda, and the Democrats, led by a shell-shocked president, are trying to figure out what to do next.
Meanwhile, the future speaker of the House is verbally bashing the administration. I don't see that relationship becoming productive any time soon. That kind of behavior is the most dangerous enemy this country has.
What we need is a third party. No, I'm not kidding. We could call it the Common Sense Party.
We need to recruit candidates who feel education is the most important investment this country could make.
We need candidates who will emphasize environmental responsibility, adjust defense spending to fit the international climate and reform welfare and health care.
Above all, we need candidates who will listen to voters. Get out and listen to your constituents. We have a lot to say.
Michael J. Mesko
Baltimore