Planning money needed to begin a Crofton High

On June 8, a group of Crofton citizens went before the Anne Arundel County school board and Superintendent Carol Parham pleading that they allocate planning money for a West County high school, more specifically a high school in Crofton.

We cannot wait until fiscal year 2005. The temporary Band-Aid to fix the overcrowding at Arundel High School appears now to be a long-term solution by the board.

Redistricting and busing part of the Crofton student body to South River High is not the answer. Everyone who spoke in support of the high school said the same thing and backed it up with facts and figures.

Michael McNelly, vice president of the school board, opened the meeting with a statement that the board was there to listen.

It appeared to be listening intently. I just hope that the members heard us.

I hope, too, that they heard Del. David Boschert asking to put the Crofton High School in the budget. The legislature will fund it. The money is there for us. The state will support it and help finance it. The governor supports education. This is the time to do it.

Mr. Boschert went on to say that Crofton has been designated a Smart Growth area. What better place for a 13th county high school?

State Sen. Robert R. Neall Jr. sent a letter in support of the high school, saying that he will help secure state funds. He went on to say that there is significant growth in Crofton. Arundel High School is already crowded and South River was an interim solution.

Del. Robert C. Baldwin sent a letter to the board that the funds are there. He said that high school planning money should not be deterred until 2005.

Thanks to Mr. Boschert, Mr. Neall, Mr. Baldwin and Del. Janet Greenip for continued support.

So, here we have the legislature, local PTAs, the Small Area Planning Committee, the Greater Crofton Council, the Crofton Civic Association, Crofton businesses, the Arundel/South River Coalition and almost 450 residents who signed petitions in four days, all in support of a West County High School in Crofton.

The ball is in Ms. Parham and the school board's court.

To my neighbors, don't abandon public schools yet. Get involved. Let your voice be heard.

Sharon Puckett, Crofton

The writer is with the Crofton Woods Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.

Fear and loathing in Sunset Beach

I recently was informed that the community of Sunset Beach had a meeting in May with the protection of a policeman present.

I am appalled that the police department would even honor a request for an officer to sit at a community meeting for protection for four hours. Was there a bomb threat? Was someone's life threatened?

A friend of mine, who doesn't even live in that community, told me that the month prior to this meeting, police were called in to escort a resident from a meeting because the person was out-of-control verbally.

To think that the president of Sunset Beach found it necessary to do that is disgraceful.

With all the crime and concerns surrounding this area, you'd think the police would be doing what we pay them for, not baby-sitting a community meeting.

Helen Lysek, Pasadena

Russia, China not worthy of our support

With Russia's recent actions in Kosovo and Chinese riots against our embassy, the free world's resolution against these two "not ready for full acceptance" countries must remain steadfast.

Russia's entry into Kosovo is just the latest attempt from these two regimes to blatantly prop up the renegade and criminal Serbian regime.

They have been behind-the-scenes supporters of Slobodan Milosevic's ethnic-cleansing campaign, first in Bosnia and now in Kosovo.

The Russian army's presence at the airport gives aid and comfort to the military machine that should be facing war crime tribunals, not sanctuary.

Aid, support and international recognition needs to be parceled out more diligently to both the Russian and Chinese governments until their actions begin to mimic that of responsible nations and not ones that support murderers, thieves and rapists.

Alan McAllister, Severna Park

Tomorrow's hearing should help bury flawed 'anti-loitering' bill in Annapolis

At 7 p.m. tomorrow at Annapolis City Hall, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a loitering bill that is similar to legislation in Chicago that the Supreme Court found to be unconstitutional.

This proposal, which its proponents have claimed is an anti-drug loitering bill, is being opposed by the Anne Arundel County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the United Black Clergy of Anne Arundel County, the Maryland Forum of African-American leaders, the Black Political Forum and Alderman Cynthia A. Carter, to name a few. Why? Because this bill as proposed will not eradicate drug dealing.

Cities, including Baltimore, are scrapping "drug-free zones," because they have not worked.

Under Annapolis Alderman Herbert McMillan's bill, if police see a "person is engaging in or is about to engage in illegal drug activity such as repeatedly engaging in conversations with the drivers and/or passengers of vehicles, disturbing small objects to other persons, receiving currency in exchange for small objects," they are empowered to tell the loiterer to move on. We believe that the police should make an arrest, not ask a suspected drug dealer to move along.

I would recommend that everyone read Mr. McMillan's bill. Not only is it flawed, it will not solve the drug trade that is taking place in Annapolis.

As chair of the Black Political Forum, I agree with Mr. McMillan and others that something needs to be done about drugs in our community.

I disagree that a flawed loitering bill is the solution.

Michael T. Brown Sr., Annapolis

I am writing concerning the so-called loitering while black (LWB) ordinance that has been proposed by a fellow alderman. It is my understanding that this bill is in response to the complaints of residents of the Bywater community.

Much can be said about the sale of illicit drugs in subsidized communities. However, I would like to ask the alderman: What does he propose to do about the clientele that ride to these communities to make their drug purchasers at all hours of the night?

I am concerned that the proposed ordinance, which was designed to affect the predominantly low-income housing areas, will be viewed as a racial matter.

We already have a local law, which is designed to keep the peace and order, that is waiting to be utilized on a nondiscriminatory basis. It protects law-enforcement officials and eliminates the chance of harassment by police officers. If the proposed bill is passed, how will officers enforce it?

We are a resort town. This law would have a negative impact on our city's image. We need to address drug dealing, but we do not need a bill that will exacerbate tension between our citizens and police.

Cynthia Abney Carter, Annapolis

The writer is an alderman in Annapolis' Ward 6.

Recent comments by Alderman Herbert McMillan, in which he criticizes the NAACP, the United Black Clergy of Anne Arundel County and others, reminds us that the struggle for equality and justice is not over.

The alderman refers to opponents of his bill as "extremists," "racists" and other disparaging adjectives simply because they do not believe that his anti-loitering bill will withstand a constitutional challenge. Mr. McMillan used the old strategy on the usual suspects.

He motivates his audience through fear, that is, the threat of crime. Portray all of his opponents as demagogues. Misinform the masses, who are looking for real solutions to crime. Then attack the most vocal and visible members of the opposition. Sadly, that recipe has become the modus operandi of the right wing.

I am convinced that the majority of our citizens know the difference between an honest difference of opinion and rhetoric that is designed to exploit an issue.

Carolyn O. Keene, Annapolis

Pub Date: 6/20/99