Assessing Hickey's Future
It seems that Michael Hickey has decided to remain in Howard County. Based on his statements last year, I don't see how he could have possibly accepted the North Carolina position.
In June, when he committed to another term, he stated, "I'd feel kind of funny working on the goals Toward the Year 2000 and saying, 'So long, folks.' " He continued, "I don't want to leave a job that has the challenges that this one has. After giving it a lot of consideration, I don't think there is a better superintendent [job] anywhere." (The Sun, June 24).
As far as the voting on this reappointment is concerned, I find it rather sloppy government to require new school board members to vote on retaining a superintendent within a month or so of coming on board. . . . They certainly aren't in a position to judge his performance adequately. . . .
By delaying the vote, more public input could be solicited to add to the reasoned thinking of the board.
Also, I wonder if the future will be as rosy for Dr. Hickey in Howard as the past. Howard County has made him look good. More than half of our kids are in higher categories of learning. Thus, Howard has a head start on doing well on tests.
But with county growth seemingly continuing and more and more complaints about congestion, etc., with more problems on redistricting schools, school utilization and construction (a $3.9 million overrun for Wilde Lake High School doesn't help), the next 10 years may be rather rough for school officials. One place to start is making The Sun's editorial entitled "Trimming School Bureaucracies" (Jan. 18) required reading.
True, Dr. Hickey's role in the future may be more of a referee than of a programmer. He will be tasked with molding and winning public opinion at the same time, an area in which I don't think he has shown exceptional aptitude. But at least now we'll see whether Dana Hanna's characterization of Dr. Hickey as "one of the top in the nation" is really correct or not.
R. D. Bush
Columbia
Respect for Clinton
I call on all Americans to show more respect for our president. It behooves us as adults to teach our children respect for people in authority.
Too many of us have stood by, apathetic, while some of the media and others have seen fit to bash our president. . . .
President Clinton obviously cares about his people and is concerned about the future of this country. He has demonstrated this through his vigorous attempt at universal health coverage, defeated so blatantly by the big money of the insurance companies.
God knows the National Rifle Association put up big bucks to try to defeat his crime bill. We voted for him on an economic platform, and he has come through for us. The tax cut he promised to the middle class is about to become a reality; in the past year, three million jobs have been created. . . .
I am happy that we now have a real human being in the White House and I hope that we have the good sense to hold on to him for another term, because we are indeed better off today than we were two years ago.
Edwige Carter
Columbia
Scrubbing Away the Hate
Recently, several swastikas were painted on the windows of the photography store owned by two Russian immigrants at Harper's Choice Village Center.
At the Harper's Choice village board meeting on Feb. 7, board members expressed outrage at this incident. Member Terry Edmunds said he thought the village board should do more than issue a statement -- it should take some kind of action. I agree with Mr. Edmunds. . . .
Even if the children are old enough to have had history classes, they do not really understand what it means to be denied basic freedoms or persecuted because of religious beliefs.
The Harper's Choice Village Board should organize an afternoon meeting that children can attend.
They should invite the two Russian immigrants who own the photography store and other immigrants to explain the significance of a swastika and what it feels like to be persecuted because of religious beliefs.
It is really important that we do not lose this opportunity to explain what affects prejudice and persecution have and how damaging it is to the community.
Laura Waters
Columbia
--------
I am writing to express my sense of outrage at the hate crimes which have been directed at a business operated by Russian-Jewish immigrants in the Harper's Choice Village Center. It is both deplorable and sad that such acts occur in our community.
It is incumbent upon the community to state clearly in as many ways as possible that these and similar acts are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Expressions of support and understanding to the victims of these acts should also be part of our immediate response.
An irony of this particular situation is the fact that the latest vandalism occurred just days before the County Council and the county executive proclaimed Feb. 12-19 as "Focus on Peace" week at a Feb. 8 press conference. . . .
If we seek peace, we must work for justice.
ary C. Lorsung
Ellicott City
N The writer is a Howard County councilwoman from District 4.
--------
I would like to join with the many Harper's Choice community members who have contacted the owners of Uniphoto photo shop to offer their support, following recent religiously motivated hate incidents. Solomon Keyser and Yakov Fox, you are warmly welcome in Harper's Choice.
In only five short months, you have earned an impeccable reputation for your excellent photographic services as well as for your civic-mindedness.
Please know that you are valued members of our community, and that the citizens of Harper's Choice will not tolerate continuance of these despicable, stupid and cowardly actions. . . .
Rebecca L. Johnson
Columbia