Wrong place and wrong time for countdown clock

Last month, The Sun printed my letter regarding the issue of the press informing the general public of the fact that the next millennium begins on Jan. 1, 2001, not Jan. 1, 2000, and the fact that the state has a "Millennium Clock" incorrectly counting down the days to January 2000 instead of 2001.

I was thus disappointed to see your editorial Sept. 23 entitled, "Whither the Year 2000 clock?" that only dealt with finding an appropriate location for it. I would hope that the editorial staff is informed enough to have also told the state that it needs to adjust the millennium countdown by adding a year to the display. I thought that journalists were supposed to be sticklers for checking facts.

Roman Horoszewski

Greenbelt

School system has squandered aid

The Anne Arundel County school system's recent financial trouble has been a highly debated topic. However, a quick glance at the Board of Education's financial management over the past few years makes it quite clear that the troubles could have been avoided.

In 1996, the board was awarded substantial funding that was provided a 3 percent increase in teacher salaries.

However, an increase of only 2.5 percent was given. The leftover funds were used to pay for expenses that the county incurred in excess of its budget.

In other words, the Board of Education was provided with needed funding, but because of poor management, the funds could not be used where they should have been.

Then, in 1997, extra funding was allocated to the county to hire new teachers. Instead, the county decided to hire psychologists. Again, the county had an opportunity to genuinely improve the quality of education and failed.

This pattern has continued in 1998. Additional funding has been provided to pay for books, but a significant amount has been used to pay for yet more budget overruns. In sum, the county Board of Education has been given significant financial assistance. A long history of poor financial management has made it impossible for our children to reap any benefit from that assistance.

Del. Janet Greenip

Annapolis

The writer is a Republican candidate for the House of Delegates in Legislative District 33.

Owens offers election goals

I would like to thank the more than 20,000 voters who cast their ballot for me in the recent primary election for Anne Arundel County executive. I pledge to continue an issues-oriented campaign in the general election. I thank my primary opponent, Diane R. Evans, for the manner in which she conducted her campaign.

If elected, I would:

Restore quality public education to our county school system by lowering class sizes, arming students with up-to-date textbooks and forging a real partnership with the Board of Education, the superintendent, teachers and parents.

Fight for legislation freezing property taxes and county fees at 1998 levels for income-qualified senior citizens.

Fight for legislation to abolish pensions for county executive and the County Council.

Janet S. Owens

Glen Burnie

The writer is Democratic candidate for Anne Arundel County executive.

Murphy would defend adequate facilities

Congratulations, Shirley Murphy. I have witnessed her dedication to the community. Now, it's time to have a representative on the Anne Arundel County Council who will represent the citizens and not just special interest groups. It's time to bring integrity and ethics back to District 3.

With rampant growth being the number one problem in the district, I know Ms. Murphy will make sure that the adequate facilities law will be upheld.

Eddie Cochran

Pasadena

North County forum is Wednesday night

Area residents and business persons will have a chance to see candidates for county executive and council districts 1, 2 and 3 at the North County Candidates Forum at 6: 45 p.m. Wednesday at the Glen Burnie High School auditorium. Admission is free.

The Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce is organizing the forum with the Glen Burnie Ministerium, Pasadena Business Association and Greater Pasadena Council. A panel of Rosemary Armao, Anne Arundel bureau chief of The Sun; Bob Mosier, editor of the Maryland Gazette, and Gary Massaglia, general manager of Jones Communications, will provide questions to the candidates.

A business mixer will also be held from 5 to 6: 30 p.m. just outside of the auditorium. Cost for the mixer is $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

We invite the community to attend and encourage anyone who would like to pose a question to any of the candidates to submit written questions by tomorrow to: Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, 7440 Ritchie Highway, Suite E, Glen Burnie, MD, 21061.

Griff Hall

Glen Burnie

The writer is executive director of the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

Singling out dog breed, not the owners, is unfair

I am writing in response to the recent article about Annapolis officials proposing "strict dog laws." I have been in the pet industry -- professional dog grooming -- for 13 years. It enrages me that ignorant people can form an opinion and pass judgment on a breed of dog they know nothing about, other than what they hear in the news.

I will be the first to admit there is a "pit bull problem," but the real problem is irresponsible owners and breeders. I find it upsetting that I, a responsible pit bull owner, could end up being forced by law to muzzle my dog and insure him.

I know a lot of pit bull owners, responsible and irresponsible. I can honestly say I have never known a responsible owner of a pit bull to have problems with his dog.

The key words here are "responsible owner." Any responsible pet owner will take proper measures to see that his pet does not injure anyone or become a nuisance.

As a dog groomer, I see more unpredictable and vicious cocker spaniels and chow chows than anyone could imagine. In fact, it has been proven that cocker spaniels bite more people per year than any other breed. Where are the cocker spaniel laws?

Yes, a cocker spaniel will do less damage than a pit bull, but it is the number-one breed that causes the most bites. Pit bulls and American Staffordshire terriers are great pets when owned by responsible people.

They are not bad dogs. Sometimes, people who get bit are the ones to blame.

For an example, a person walking into a yard and startling a dog is in that dog's territory and dogs naturally protect what's theirs.

My other dog, a Chihuahua mix, would bite a stranger who entered my property. That's why I have a fenced yard with a lock on my gate and "Beware of Dog" signs posted. I'm sure people that see this assume it is because of my pit bull, but if someone broke into my home without my Chihuahua mix getting them, my pit bull would more than likely lick them to death.

By passing ridiculous "breed laws," a lot of innocent pets and owners will suffer, possibly including me. I don't know if I could afford insurance on my dog.

I'm sure it would be quite expensive.

There should be strict laws, but on owners and breeders, not dogs. If this ridiculous law is passed, it will eventually solve the "pit bull problem," but I guarantee it won't be long before another breed comes along and there will be another problem. Why not pass laws against irresponsible owners and breeders? Impose large fines and jail time for offenders. Destroy any dog that viciously attacks for no reason and pass a law to muzzle any nasty dog who has bitten in the past when in public places.

Make the owners of these dogs get insurance, not the ones who don't have vicious dogs. Pit bulls and American Staffordshire terriers have been around for almost 100 years.

Doesn't it seem strange that up until recently they have been decent pets? It's time to put the blame where it belongs.

L. Wain

Glen Burnie

Pub Date: 10/04/98