Proposed mall in Hanover isn't 'smart growth'
The Anne Arundel County Council's recent 7-0 vote to accommodate a new megamall in Hanover sets in motion the likely destruction of at least 380 forested acres.
If economic development is truly the county's goal, why not re-develop abandoned ghost malls already sitting on top of paved acreage?
Harundale, Parole and Whitehall's U.S. 50-301 are examples of neglected spots long overdue for creative renovation and beautification.
The council took a position inconsistent with truly "smart" long-range growth.
The proposed new mall will carry increased traffic congestion, storm water runoff and smog, reduction of open space as well as the elimination of green space and wildlife habitat.
The lack of public process on such a significant, irreversible decision is distressing. I urge the council to reconsider the vote and open the matter to broad citizen input.
Jenny Spivak
Annapolis
Return pride to our neighborhoods
I write this letter as a concerned citizen who cares about the city and state.
Our neighborhoods need to be brought up to the standards we enjoyed in the past, where proper street lighting was a deterrent to crime. Our neighborhoods should continually be a source of pride through cleanliness and community involvement.
I hope readers will exercise their right Tuesday to take control of politics. Every vote is important.
Dominic M. Leone Jr.
Riviera Beach
Scott is a better choice than Neall
This is response to a letter by Ray Kenney, "Reasons to vote for Robert Neall," on Sept. 6.
Is this the same Robert R. Neall whose dual role as a lobbyist and legislator was uncovered by The Sun?
The same Robert Neall who quit politics in 1994 to pursue more financially rewarding opportunities, only to return to his stomping grounds in search of consulting and lobbying dollars?
The same Robert Neall who left his county with secret unfunded pension arrangements that have yet to have the full spotlight shone on them?
The Robert Neall who fought the tax cap that was favored by 72 percent of the voters?
Mr. Kenney mentions personal sacrifices by Mr. Neall to take the vacancy created by the death of state Sen. Jack Cade.
What were they? He even lobbied the Republican Party to fill the seat.
The voters of Legislative District 33 finally have a man of integrity and ethics willing to go to Annapolis for them and not for special interest groups.
Mr. Neall recently sent out a letter saying he needs $60,000 for his campaign. Is this to beat a first-time challenger or to buy political favors?
We claim we want people of high ethics and integrity in government. That is why Bill Scott is deserving of your vote and trust.
Barry Tollenger
Pasadena
Gary should not dictate to schools
As a citizen of Anne Arundel County, I am concerned that the educational needs of our children are not a priority of our current county executive. Basic needs are not being met.
County Executive John G. Gary has no business dictating how our schools are run. The position of superintendent of Anne Arundel County public schools is already filled.
We need a county executive who is sympathetic to the needs of our schools and our children. Janet Owens is that candidate. She realizes the importance in fostering and strengthening our schools toward greater economic development.
Sean Ahern
Laurel
Gary calling who 'unaccountable'?
On July 21, Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary was quoted in the Annapolis Capital as saying, "You should be outraged that the school board expects your elected representative to give them an additional $5.8 million without providing details for the public record as to how they intend to spend the money."
Mr. Gary, I am outraged -- outraged about your peculiar view of accountability. Does it only apply to the other guy?
You have rewarded friends with jobs and pensions at salary levels beyond county specifications. You have not investigated missing money at the county detention center. License fees collected by Planning and Code Enforcement are not accounted for. You demanded that the county revenue authority created by you have no accountability at all.
The council struggled and got some minor accountability enforced. But in the first year, the "self-supporting" authority asks for $240,000 in "seed money."
Over and over, Theresa Sutherland, the county auditor, has brought up administration irregularities. God bless her, she's brave and doing her job. Has she had any cooperation from Mr. Gary? None that I have heard about.
Now there is the biggest outrage of all. It is an issue that affects all the school children in the county.
Mr. Gary, the school superintendent came up with a budget that went over your expectations. Did you negotiate to come to some agreement?
No. You attacked her integrity, got mad and with the votes you control in the council slashed her budget. Teachers need raises, schools need repairs, classes need to be smaller, children need resources.
Don't you get it? Put aside your politics and act responsibly. Be accountable.
Jean A. O'Farrell
Annapolis
With friends like these ?
Recently, I received a postcard from the "Friends of John Gary" listing several misleading facts concerning Mr. Gary and his supposedly education-friendly administration. Apparently, he and his friends didn't realize who I was.
As a 15-year veteran of teaching in the Anne Arundel County public school system, I have seen first-hand the detrimental effect his administration has had on students and schools. The executive can't fool me.
His claims to fame include smaller class sizes, more textbooks and more funding.
No, my class sizes have not decreased. A typical middle school class still averages 25 to 35 students. Nor do we have more textbooks. In fact, many teachers are forced to keep a classroom set of books in the room. There aren't enough books for individual students to call their own. We share.
The biggest fallacy is that Mr. Gary is providing more funding to the school system on a regular basis.
Perhaps he can explain why the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County refused to support him four years ago in his initial bid to become executive.
And why would the association endorse Janet Owens in this year's race if he truly "supports the best education possible" and is working to provide it?
Maybe Mr. Gary considers forcing the Board of Education to dismantle the gifted and talented program to be in the best interest of students. I don't think their parents do.
No, I am not a friend of John Gary, nor is he a friend of education.
Richard L. Hannon
Pasadena
The writer is a math teacher at Chesapeake Bay Middle School.
Candidate Conklin's civic involvement
As I looked over the Republican candidates for Anne Arundel County Council in District 3, I saw a person who could bring new leadership to where I live: Deborah Conklin.
I know Mrs. Conklin through her involvement in Bodkin Elementary School and as my daughter's Brownie troop leader.
She is in touch with the people whom she would represent.
Tammy Garrettson
Pasadena
Trashing computers is absurd
Having just arranged to send a Mac 11 (yes, old) to Ken Houlihan in the Russell Elementary School, Arvada, Colo., I find the trashing of sound Mac computers ludicrous ("Discarding computers debated," Sept. 4).
If this is further evidence of the mentality at Anne Arundel Community College, I feel sorry for the students.
I would hope someone watching the budget will take note of the actual cost of replacing Macs with the known labor-intensive maintenance PCs, as well as the failure rate.
Someone in the know should clue the powers that be that the computers of choice for professionals in those arenas are Macintosh. Those discarded computers could have put many understimulated children on a path to learning.
This from a facility of "higher" education? Give me a break.
Teresa Masters
Oceanside, Calif.
I am a teacher who has spent several years working with special education students, a very disadvantaged group, in rural areas of Maine.
We have struggled to keep working computers in the hands of these students to, hopefully, teach them the skills they will need to contribute to society.
I have learned how to bring back to life Apple II and old Macintosh computers, printers and disk drives and keep them functioning, but it is time-consuming.
To read that an institute of education is trashing 16 perfectly running computers "to make room" for new ones is appalling.
What a waste. What a message to send those children who just might have found their niche in life using one of those computers.
Peter K. Rhinehardt
Portland, Maine
Pub Date: 9/13/98