Police sworn to protect us; we must reciprocate
These are prosperous economic times for the citizens of Howard County.
With 2.3 percent unemployment, a resurgence in commercial and residential building, a rainy day fund in excess of $20 million and AAA bond ratings, we are frequently reminded of the accomplishments of our local officials.
Howard continues to rank as one of the safest and wealthiest counties in the state and nation, attributes that continue to draw new residents to our planned communities and attractive surroundings.
But the safety of our citizenry cannot be left to chance. We can no longer rely on Howard County's reputation to protect us from reality.
Low unemployment cannot prevent your business from being robbed by some less fortunate soul in that 2.3 percent category.
The fact is that only the police can help prevent victimization of this nature, and the Howard County Police Department is in the midst of a crisis.
Our local Republican officials cannot boast about their accomplishments in labor-management relations because they have failed. While promoting the concept of Total Quality Public Service, they have refused to provide well-earned and fiscally responsible cost of living adjustments, subsequently demoralizing the county government's work force.
They are presently attempting to reduce earned leave and force police officers into a pay plan that would reduce their salaries by as much as $10,000.
You and I pay taxes to train officers to protect us. Our Howard County officers receive their state certifications, only to be contacted and lured away by surrounding jurisdictions with superior benefits. That portion of our tax dollars is then wasted on training an officer who will never serve Howard's many needs.
The next time you see a Howard County police officer and a state trooper driving down Route 29, you'll know that the county officer makes about $10,000 less than the trooper.
You'll also know that when the trooper retires, his family will have medical benefits; the county officer's will not.
You'll probably also figure out that the trooper used to be a county officer that you paid to train.
Police managers continue to attempt to gain comparable benefits for their officers, who face increasingly dangerous manpower shortages. Unfortunately, they must rely on certain council members who gamble with our safety by saving for a rainy day or paying a debt that they've incurred.
Each Howard County police officer is an investment in our quality of living.
As they devote their best efforts to their sworn oaths, we must pledge them our support and demand that our officials do everything necessary to retain them.
Robert Castor
Ellicott City
The writer is a Howard County police officer.
It's time to send state official home
Every four years, the Maryland State Teachers Association publishes ratings of our state legislators to help us judge who supports education and who does not. More than just a barometer of education funding, these ratings let us know which of our elected representatives have fought to educate our children and to prepare them for the 21st century.
This area is lucky enough to have many of the legislators ranked highest on the list, including Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, Del. Elizabeth Bobo and Sen. Martin G. Madden. By fighting for higher educational standards, incentive programs, and initiatives to help at-risk youth, these legislators are helping to ensure that we are developing well-educated, well-adjusted citizens for the coming years.
Unfortunately, this county also hosts the legislator ranked last by our teachers: District 14 Sen. Christopher McCabe. Not only did Mr. McCabe fail to rank ahead of a single state Senate colleague, he managed to rank below everyone in the House of Delegates as well. He was 188th out of 188.
It comes as no real surprise that Mr. McCabe has a dismal record on education. He consistently voted against programs to stem the tide of youth violence, alcohol abuse and drug addiction. He recently voted against a scholarship incentive program to train and to keep talented science students in Maryland. His statements in support of school vouchers evidence a clear hostility toward our excellent public school system.
This county has some of the best public schools in the nation. We should be working to make them even better. Our elected representatives should be exploring new ideas to keep our students competitive with those from around the country and around the world, so that this region can compete for the businesses that will provide jobs and tax dollars necessary to improve our standard of living. We simply cannot afford to abandon public education for the convention centers and sports stadiums to which Mr. McCabe has helped send so many of our tax dollars.
With the end of the school year, students across the state are bringing home their final report cards to show their parents. Mr. McCabe has received a failing grade from our teachers. It is time to send him to his room without re-election.
David Hantman
Columbia
The writer is a candidate in for state Senate in District 14.
Hollifield is name, not Hollofield
More care was given in naming the new school and development, Hollifield Station, than when placed by the map makers who went by pronunciation ("Hollofield is name, not Hollifield," letters, June 14).
Historically, the area of "Hollofield" has been owned by the Hollifield family. William Hollifield purchased the 66-acre property from the Ellicotts in 1840. Mr. Hollifield (a descendant) attended the opening of the school. More research initially could have prevented this problem. It seems that the mistake was made long ago and is either too confusing or too costly to change.
Perhaps the mistake can be rectified. Hollifield is the name, not Hollofield. Just ask the family for which the area was named.
Jan Menear
Elkridge
Howard High fosters scientific studies
I read your editorial "Next step for 'tech-mag' " (June 4), involving the decision not to expand the innovative technology magnet-school program to Oakland Mills High School.
As stated, the tech-mag concept was developed to train students specifically for sophisticated technology oriented toward the next millennium. The editorial also states that the popularity of the program has waned after only two years.
However, the scientific training of students for learning cutting-edge technologies is well and alive at Howard High School in Ellicott City.
We're not a tech-mag school, as defined by the title and monies for such a program, but the research program for the "gifted and talented" students at Howard High is functioning extremely well.
We have established a "scientist-in-residence program" in our math, science, technology research class, which enlists volunteers who work with the students and teachers to share their vocational life experiences in their former professions.
The research class has recruited a retired research bioanalytical chemist from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research with 38 1/2 years of research experience. For all of us, the 1997-1998 research year has been exciting.
I hope that because of the current situation involving Oakland Mills' canceled tech-mag program, the school board's decision does not diminish volunteers' efforts to help Howard students.
Nesbitt D. Brown
Ellicott City
The writer is a volunteer scientist-in-residence at Howard High School.
Poor drivers get no diplomatic immunity
I'm sure the late Jovianne Westrich and her family and friends take great comfort in knowing the Georgian diplomat has immunity against U.S. civil law suits.
Maybe diplomatic immunity should be revised and/or put to a vote. And our diplomats should be governed likewise. "Diplomatic immunity" should not be confused with walking a couple of inches above the ground.
Recently our city fathers had electronic cameras installed to record our driving habits. The same should be applied to diplomats.
Elizabeth Lonne
Columbia
He knew rules going in
I read the article about the poor man's problems with the covenants in Columbia.
It is just horrible to think that he can't keep his old trampoline on which to hang his plants in his back yard.
I am so tired of reading about people who get offended when their violations of community covenants are questioned. This property owner knew there were restrictions when he moved to Columbia.
If he wants to keep illegal objects in his yard, then move to a locale where junk cars, old appliances and other worldly artifacts are used as lawn ornaments.
I am very happy to know that the covenants are being enforced. That is the primary reason I moved to Columbia. Much more needs to be done to catch up on the obvious violations that still remain in our neighborhoods.
Barbara Glodek
Columbia
Pub Date: 6/21/98