Column was vicious attack on John Gary

Brian Sullam begins by condemning John Gary's TV advertising in his Oct. 18 column, then follows by writing one of the most vicious attacks on a candidate I have ever read in The Sun.

Mr Sullam's choice of adjectives turns his column into a political sledgehammer. This is how he slams Mr. Gary's TV message: It " is "crudely crafted, "deplorable," "unnecessarily hysterical" and a deliberately crafted deception."

The purpose of this adjectival avalanche is, of course, to bury Mr. Gary. But that selection is only the beginning. The column then charges that Mr. Gary's "cheesy commercial" is so terrible it "poisons the well." Indeed, this TV announcement is so powerful, says the column, it will drag us to "stagnant tax collections and therefore an equally stagnant county budget."

A tax increase termed "modest" is seen as inevitable because it's the only way to accomplish such essentials as repaving roads and give county employees equally "modest" pay raises.

"In the next four years," Mr. Sullam predicts, "the county executive, whether it be Ms. Owens or Mr. Gary, will submit a budget that calls for raising the county's income tax rate."

Such ability to see four years into the future is both dazzling and wrong. Any increase in county income taxes is a) unnecessary and b) undesirable. To borrow from the column's headline, a county tax increase would be "politics at its worst."

Real figures show that the county's income automatically increases yearly.

Built-in increases in revenues mean that county income, efficiently managed, will be ample to fund all real needs without any income tax increase within the foreseeable future.

Past is prologue. Let county residents keep a maximum of the money they earn. Let the people use their money as they, and they only, deem best. That is the recipe for the growth and prosperity that make increases in county revenues a reality. Anything less is a disservice to the people who make prosperity happen.

Andrew Jackson Graham

Hanover

Naval waivers could be used better

I would like to comment on the $70,000-a-year waivers granted to foreign students attending the Naval Academy.

According to Neal Thompson's article on Sept. 26, 38 of 39 foreign students at the academy received waivers in 1997. This resulted in a cost of $2,660,000, which is paid by American taxpayers for foreign students.

If a foreign country does not have the resources to pay for its student, there should not be a waiver granted for admission to any of our service academies.

Also, an article by Tom Pelton on Oct. 8 stated that a recent graduate of the academy has been granted a deferment to begin his five-year commitment of naval service to train, and if chosen, participate as a crew member of the Young American for the America's Cup.

The tuition of $70,000 a year results in $280,000, which was paid for this young man's education at the academy. I have always assumed, as I am sure many other people have, that a Naval Academy graduate was to begin training in his specialized field immediately after graduation.

There are many areas where money of this magnitude could help provide funding for programs such as education, Social Security, the veterans of our country and members of our military services.

Veda L. Shoup

Arnold

Dangerous road spurs voter's change of heart

State Sen. Philip Jimeno has stated that, if re-elected, he will key in on relieving Mountain Road congestion.

A few months ago, I was driving east on Mountain Road. As I approached the dangerous and congested area where Route 100 merges into Mountain Road, the driver of a large truck in front of me slammed on his brakes and made an unsignaled left turn across the grass median that separates the eastbound from westbound lane so that he could enter a large construction site. When I passed by the place where the truck had turned, I could see that many vehicles had been making the same left turn. The grass was completely worn away.

When I arrived home, I phoned Mr. Jimeno to complain that trucks were making what appeared to be illegal turns at a very dangerous spot in Mountain Road, and to complain that whatever was being built on that site would result in many more cars attempting to make right and left turns onto Mountain Road near the merge area, and that these additional cars were going to add to the already nightmarish congestion on Mountain Road.

I never heard from Mr. Jimeno, but the woman who answered his phone said that she would contact the Maryland Department of Transportation so that something could be done to stop construction vehicles from making left-hand turns across the median.

She also informed me that a senior citizens center and assisted living units were being built on the construction site. When I asked who approved this plan, she replied that the building permits had been issued years ago.

I have been hearing this same outlandish excuse from politicians in response to new construction along Mountain Road for many years. No politician cares about the increasingly hellish congestion, including Mr. Jimeno. Even though I am a registered Democrat, my vote will go to the retired Avon lady, Republican Jacqueline J. Turley.

Marcia R. Conrad

Pasadena

Thanks, gratitude from councilwoman

As I conclude eight years of elected public service, I would like to thank the voters of the Fifth Councilmanic District for the honor and privilege of serving them.

It has been a distinct pleasure representing people who are willing to speak to the issues, offer solutions and work to make them happen. Their contributions affected changes, from protecting the environment to addressing the cancer mortality issue, strengthening our local business community, dealing with the graffiti problem and improving the condition of our neighborhood schools. Their voices made a difference. I thank my constituents for the opportunity to work with them.

To the hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly in supporting my bid for Anne Arundel County executive, I sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence they placed in me. While we didn't reach the destination we'd mapped out, we did succeed in giving voice to the discontent evident in the electorate today. A new attitude, a new approach in our leadership is critical if we're to meet the demands of the 21st century with strength, yet with sensitivity.

To Janet Owens, I congratulate you on your win. I commend your courage and your commitment to the people of Anne Arundel, a county we both care deeply about. I support the leadership you offer for positive change.

Diane R. Evans

Annapolis

The writer is Anne Arundel County councilwoman in the 5th District.

Why Schneider should be delegate

As past chair of the Anne Arundel County Commission for Women, I have known Sheila Schneider for many years. Ms. Schneider is intelligent, hard-working, ethical and dedicated to improving the lives of Anne Arundel families.

As a former high school teacher and mother of two children. Ms. Schneider understands the important of quality education for the future of our state. As a current small business owner, she also understands the importance of healthy economic programs, balanced against protecting our environment and quality of life.

I have worked with Ms. Schneider on projects ranging from publishing a directory of women's services to advocating for legislation to strengthen domestic violence laws. I know that as an elected representative, she would exhibit the same dedication and fair-mindedness that she has exhibited in her numerous voluntary and professional endeavors. I have lent my support to her campaign, and I endorse her candidacy for the House of Delegates in the 33rd Legislative District.

Louise A. DePodesta, M.D.

Severna Park

Pub Date: 10/25/98