Plan to seize homes must be improved to protect innocent
Contrary to your article "City asks for right to seize house" (March 19), the American Civil Liberties Union testified in support of a bill that would give the city a fast-track process to take vacant houses from irresponsible owners who don't pay taxes and leave them to fall into ruin. We joined other witnesses in suggesting amendments that would improve the bill.
Like many in the community, we are concerned about the impact the bill would have on homeowners who live next to vacant houses, typically retired people who have lived in their homes for decades.
As written, the bill goes too far in allowing the city to seize and demolish houses occupied by responsible homeowners with as little as seven days' notice. If a block is 70 percent vacant, occupied homes on the block could also be defined as "abandoned property," and the city could petition the District Court for immediate possession of the property.
As several lawmakers commented, the "fair value" and relocation benefit the homeowner would receive as compensation would not be enough to buy another home. Most of the displaced homeowners would end up as renters and would not get the $22,500 relocation benefit toward the purchase of a replacement home. The city concedes it has no policy in place to deal with this problem.
The power of the government to take a person's property through eminent domain is not taken lightly in this country. The city says it needs a faster way to seize and demolish vacant properties owned by unresponsive or lost owners. If done carefully and with input from neighbors, it makes sense to set up a more efficient way to eliminate vacant houses. But if we sweep homeowners away from deadbeat owners of vacant houses, we will be hurting the very people who have already been victimized by the deadbeats.
Barbara A. Samuels, Baltimore
The writer is managing attorney for fair housing at the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland.
Deregulation fails to guard consumers, environment
The electric deregulation bills in the General Assembly are moving much faster than many expected. And the news is not good. The legislation does little to protect consumers or the environment. The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club believes the General Assembly should: Not support any bill that does not include adequate funding for energy efficiency through a public benefit fund.
Not support any bill that does not promote renewable energy. Maryland citizens need power companies to hold a 5 percent renewable portfolio.
Not support any bill that does not control noxious air emissions. Cheap energy and sick air would not save anyone money. It is only an exchange of low electric bills for high medical bills.
Not release PEPCO and the Baltimore Gas and Electic Co. from the agreements they have signed with the Maryland Department of the Environment to clean up their emissions. Other electric companies selling power in Maryland need to be held to the same standards to level the playing field.
Not vote for a bill that bails out the power companies on stranded costs with taxpayer money. The plants must be placed on the auction block to determine a true market value.
I hope readers of The Sun will take time and contact their legislators as soon as possible. Maryland doesn't need another deregulation ripoff.
Christopher Bedford, College Park
The writer is chairman of the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club.
Focus on anomalies distorts Hmong story
Your article on the Hmongs in Minnesota painted a distorted picture of the Laotian tribe in particular and thus reinforces erroneous, negative stereotypes of Asian-Americans in general ("Surviving culture shock," March 8).
I have two main objections: First, the story mentioned the overall patterns of assimilation of the Hmong population, quoting one headline after another of horror stories of murders and animal cruelty. I am certain that these are isolated incidents involving a handful of individual Hmongs. How would we like it if an Asian newspaper painted a picture of America with headlined stories of the Oklahoma bombing, Jeffrey Dahmer, the dragging death of a black man, the beating death of a gay man and President Clinton's cigar, with nothing else to balance them?
Second, the unholy situation for the Hmongs today has all been created by the Central Intelligence Agency, which lured them with money and guns for an ill-conceived and unjustifiable war. The Hmongs are being punished for the crimes committed by the CIA. Your headline should have read, "Another tragedy from a CIA intrigue in Indochina war."
Jai P. Ryu, Baltimore
Villa Julie president deserves positive story
Sarcastically, I thank C. Fraser Smith for his article on Carolyn Manuszak's retirement as president of Villa Julie College ("After 33 years of steering college to success, president will retire," March 16).
Once, just once, could Mr. Smith write an article completely positive and without bias? Villa Julie's profile was never raised because of two incidents he cited. Villa Julie's profile was raised from the moment Carolyn Manuszak stepped foot on the campus 33 years ago.
Vicki Chambers, Lutherville
The writer is a member of the Villa Julie College alumni advisory board.
Cowherd's critics are too serious
I disagree with writers who felt that Kevin Cowherd's column was insulting and a poor attempt at humor ("They're big, they're fat, they're hairy, they're at the pool and, wait, it gets worse," March 11).
Personally, I felt that this was one of Mr. Cowherd's funniest columns. Those who feel sensitive about being overweight should wear a more modest swimsuit.
Carol Martin, Baltimore
State funds for programs shouldn't go to church
It is unclear to me why the state is sending money through religious groups ("A hazy line between church, state," March 15) to "serve a worthy public purpose in financially distressed communities . . . where the need for services far outstrips the resources of government."
The religious groups are asking "outstripped" government the story refers to for this money.
How can one be sure that though these endeavors are "connected with churches, they are really controlled by the community"? One person says, "This is the kind of thing that's going to help us save neighborhoods in the city. The city doesn't have the money to save the neighborhoods." So why isn't the city asking the state for the money?
If the matter is "about more than the church. It's about the church taking responsibility for the community," I would ask why isn't the community taking care of the community? And a state senator says, "It kind of bothers me, but as long as it uplifts the community that's the bottom line," any concerns about propriety or legality are secondary.
My argument is not the legality or constitutionality of this action. The courts have already ruled broadly enough to allow this to go unchallenged. My problem is that there are civic agencies and government agencies constituted to meet these needs. So why is the government funneling our money through these religious agencies and thus allowing the religious agencies to use more of their own money for their religious mythologizing. Why not use the civic and governmental agencies already in place to accomplish this?
Russ Seese, Aberdeen
Location in story was Hydes, Md. 21082
As a longtime resident of the area, I read, with interest, the article "An enclave of wooded loveliness glad to be unspoiled and unknown" (March 21) in the Real Estate section concerning Glen Arm.
Neither the pictured Dejon farm nor the Boordy vineyards are in Glenarm. They are well within Hydes (ZIP 21082). Also, I have yet to find 50- or 60-year-old brick ranchers. Ranch homes are a mid-1950 to mid-1960s style of construction. While the Maple Hill farm stand is a local staple for produce, people shop more often in Parkville or Fallston.
A quick check of the Baltimore ADC map book would clarify geography and political divisions quickly.
W. L. Wilson, Hydes
Pub Date: 3/26/99