Give child support collection duties back to public sector
The Sun's article "Lockheed called failure on child support goals" (March 4) clearly illustrates that privatizing government functions is not as easy as some make it out to be.
In that article, you reported that the state of Maryland was not going to extend Lockheed-Martin IMS' contract to collect child support payments because the firm fell far short of meeting the goals specified in its contract with the state.
This is a case of "we told you so." The Maryland Classified Employees Association fought the state's decision to privatize this function in 1995 because we believed then, as we do now, that outsiders could not do a better job than state employees were doing. The demonstration project of state child support workers in Washington County proved that with the proper resources, equipment and legal support, these employees could meet their performance goals.
Approximately 300 state employees lost their jobs when Lockheed was awarded the contract.
At the time the legislation was passed, the General Assembly promised that it would return the work to state employees should the experiment with privatization fail. We expect the General Assembly to keep its word and not reopen the bidding process this fall.
Tony Corbo, Baltimore
The writer is executive director of the Maryland Classified Employees Association.
Baltimore's mayoral field has candidates, competition
Like many articles that preceded it, Barry Rascovar's column "Mfume wants to be mayor" (March 14) is a disservice to the citizens of Baltimore.
To write about the mayoral race as though neither real competition nor any good candidates exist is unsubstantiated and untrue. Moreover, given the power of the press, such editorializing has the danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Carl Stokes, who has filed his candidacy for mayor, is a man of intelligence, experience and compassion who has the ability to mend the divisiveness that has been fostered in our city in recent years.
Doreen Rosenthal, Baltimore
No ethical dilemma for Senator Stone
I am writing this in response to Barry Rascovar's column "Ethical Dilemma" (March 10).
The column questioned the ethics of Baltimore County State Sen. Norman Stone, an associate lawyer for the law office of Peter Angelos.
As the column stated, Senator Stone's district is mainly blue-collar workers who have been injured by their exposure to asbestos and other toxins as a result of their employers' failure to protect them.
Mr. Rascovar suggests by voting in favor of reversing the legislature's cap on certain jury punitive damage awards that Senator Stone would be "enriching" his employer.
Those who are creating this so-called "ethical dilemma" have done so in a narrow, selective manner.
In my opinion, there is no dilemma.
Joseph P. Kendall, Freeland
Bureaucratic hurdles to fixing city courts
Congratulations on your major analysis and continuing series describing the problems facing Baltimore City's criminal justice system.
Having worked at the state and county level for 15 years, I appreciate fully the difficulties faced in clearly and concisely outlining the bureaucratic practices of the individual agencies that have a dramatic effect on the ability of the total system to perform effectively.
Constance Caplan, Baltimore
Why meddle with BGE when it isn't broken?
The legislature is considering a bill to deregulate electric utilities. The Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has been in business about 190 years and has a good record.
Why meddle with something that has been satisfactory?
Erwin L. Koerbee, Baltimore
A quick fix for city pothole
Living in Baltimore County, I find it necessary to drive into the city several times a week along on Park Heights Avenue. For many weeks, I found myself swerving to avoid some large potholes.
On Feb. 12, I called the city number to report the holes.
To my amazement, the next day, around 2: 30 p.m., I was again driving on Park Heights Avenue and discovered the potholes had been filled. Some things can be easily remedied by a mere telephone call.
Eugenia Britt, Pikesville
Loch Raven organization keeps community stable
In her article "Loch Raven residents fight back" (March 7), Dan Thanh Dang chronicles the spirit of renewal that characterizes this area, its businesses and neighborhoods.
Many Loch Raven-area groups, including those cited by Ms. Dang, have pooled their resources to address challenges and opportunities in this inside-the-beltway suburb where Smart Growth is working. We commend all these groups for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all who live and work here.
However, the implication that all Loch Raven-area community groups were inactive until resurrected by recent challenges is inaccurate.
For example, the efforts of the Associates of Loch Raven Village (ALRV), the association representing the community of 1,500 large, brick townhouses, has played a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the Loch Raven area since the group's founding in 1947.
ALRV's efforts on behalf of Loch Raven Village have paid dividends. A vital community center with recreation programs for children, parents and seniors; schools that are above average and getting better; more attractive nearby commercial areas; the return of the public library; the planned beautification of Loch Raven Boulevard; and an array of special events are just some of the ways in which the ALRV has joined with others to improve the quality of life for Loch Raven residents.
Bruce Smith, Loch Raven Village
Column ill-advised attempt at humor
Kevin Cowherd has really outdone himself this time. His attempt at humor ("They're big, they're fat, they're hairy, they're at the pool and, wait, it gets worse," March 11) was anything but.
It was ill-humored, ill-advised, insensitive, insulting. His lack of taste increases the poor self-image of many overweight men and women who need the exercise and relief of the swimming pool.
His insensitivity, and that of others like him, is, in part, responsible for keeping many overweight and ailing individuals from seeking the relief of water therapy and lifestyle change.
Margaret K. Stierstorfer, Timonium
If Taney statue goes, others must fall, too
I read with great interest the letter to the editor calling for the razing of the Justice Roger B. Taney statue ("Replace Taney statue with Dred Scott image," Feb. 23). Does the writer think that razing the statue will change history?
While Taney is well known for the Dred Scott decision, he is also the judge who challenged Abraham Lincoln in 1861 when the president suspended the writ of habeas corpus (talk of high crimes against the Constitution) in our own state without the approval of Congress.
If tearing down the monument is going to make those offended feel better, perhaps we should rename Taneytown in Carroll County, or better yet, dismantle our own Washington Monument because the father of our country owned slaves. Then, there is the Jefferson Memorial.
Michael Woerner, Baltimore
To our readers
The Sun welcomes letters from readers. They should be no longer than 200 words and should include the name and address of the writer, along with day and evening telephone numbers.
Send letters to Letters to the Editor, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore 21278-0001. Our fax number for letters is 410-332-6977. The e-mail address is letters@baltsun.com.
All letters are subject to editing.
Pub Date: 3/19/99