County Leaders Must Denounce Hate Crimes
Recent disturbing racial events at Western Maryland College provide an opportunity for persons in Carroll County to reflect on the effect of racism and hatred in our midst.
We who are members of the Carroll County Human Relations Commission and Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality are joined both in expressing our concern and suggesting specific courses of action to deal with the situation.
We believe that the citizens of Carroll County should not tolerate racial, religious or ethnic acts of prejudice and violence. They violate federal, state and local civil rights laws which ensure that the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all people are enforced regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin.
We believe that such incidents should be acknowledged, not denied. We commend President Robert Chambers of Western Maryland College for immediate steps being taken to respond to the crisis and for cooperation with local police conducting the investigation. We believe that these incidents provide a window into our community life which reveals the prejudice and intolerance held by some persons who have no sense of quality and justice for all persons.
We believe that this is an excellent opportunity for personal examination for each county resident. We appreciate and value the positive steps being taken in our schools, religious communities and other organizations which are dedicated to improving human relations. We urge recommitment since every positive effort represents a step forward.
We believe that political, religious, business, educational and civil leaders should move from a reactive to a more active stance in dealing with discrimination of any kind. This would lessen the probability that these incidents will occur in the future.
It is one thing to respond in a crisis. It is far better to have an ongoing and sustained moral and legal concern to eliminate all forms of prejudice and bigotry in our community life.
We invite support for the organizations we represent which are dedicated to improving human relations in the county.
Further information on the Human Relations Commission can be secured by calling 410-876-5407. Information on the Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality is available at 410-848-8090.
We call upon the Board of County Commissioners and other public officials to state publicly and unequivocally that they will not tolerate racial, religious or ethnic acts of prejudice and violence. Furthermore, they will support and seek to enforce those federal, state and local civil laws which exist to ensure the rights of freedom guaranteed to all people.
Rev. Bernie Zerkel
Westminster
Dixon as Treasurer
Del. Richard Dixon's candidacy for election as state treasurer would certainly be a plus for Carroll County. Delegate Dixon is qualified, popular and a good legislator.
However, there is a negative side to this announcement. Delegate Dixon must have known prior to the election that he would seek this position.
While I can appreciate his wanting to position himself by running for re-election, he forced the voters of Carroll County to choose between himself and other qualified candidates to represent us for four years.
He was given their confidence vote for the position based upon his knowledge, past record, philosophy and stand on issues.
If he is successful in his quest for state treasurer, the voters will not have a choice in his replacement and the election process will have been subverted. It may also have denied a position to those candidates who spent time and money to run for the office and who faced the voters on the issues.
If Delegate Dixon is elected treasurer, I believe the Democratic Central Committee should appoint the Democrat who got the second-highest vote to the position . . . not someone who would get an "easy ride" because Delegate Dixon was not upfront with the voters.
I= Yes, Delegate Dixon, I voted for you and I feel betrayed.
Mike Baker
Westminster
Fund-raiser or Bribe?
Please explain to me the difference between politicians sending fund-raiser tickets to a constituent and a politician soliciting a bribe.
The recent election was not about Republicans or Democrats. It was about the voters' disgust with crooked politicians and their attitude of "Damn the constituents, I want to be re-elected."
Myrle L. Pardoe, Jr.
Eldersburg