Using the arts to help revitalize distressed areas

Nancy Haragan and Debra Rubino's letter, "Arts emphasis could help city thrive," (June 21) was right on target.

Their message, that cities like Baltimore flourish when the arts touch all aspects of citizens' lives, resonates across Maryland -- as distressed communities adopt innovative programs to rehabilitate retail districts and create jobs.

Using the arts to rehabilitate older areas can bring people, shopping and entertainment back to downtowns. Such visions for economic revival are becoming reality in places like Hagerstown, which on Friday officially designated an arts and entertainment district.

Last year, I introduced a bill that would make artists full partners in Maryland's economic development and Smart Growth efforts.

It would enable local jurisdictions to designate priority cultural districts -- where qualifying artists and patrons, and building owners who convert commercial properties to living or studio space for artists, would receive tax incentives.

This model can be used by any community that feels it meets its needs -- and every city and town has an area that is not being fully used.

This bill did not pass in the 1999 General Assembly session, but prospects are improving as grass-roots support grows.

Well designed arts and entertainment districts across our state will help encourage pride and possession among citizens and make communities productive, vibrant and desirable places to live, work and visit.

Joan B. Pitkin, Bowie

The writer represents District 23 in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Lt. Gov. Townsend offered sympathy, not egotism

I was stunned to see letters in The Sun that portrayed Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's response to the June 8 Beltway bridge collapse in a negative light. ("Townsend grandstands after Beltway accident," June 18).

I was at the accident's scene and heard everything the lieutentant governor had to say.

She began each interview by expressing sympathy for the victims and their families and offering them her prayers. She thanked the rescue workers for their heroism and prompt response and police and highway personnel for quickly rerouting traffic.

Ms. Townsend's words and actions were genuine -- on-and off-camera. I know her presence meant a lot to those on the scene.

In the wake of the accident, Lieutenant Governor Townsend demonstrated the qualities we want most in elected officials: caring, compassion and leadership.

Beverly Swaim-Staley, Reisterstown

The writer is deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation.

I read with great consternation the two letters concerning Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's visit to the Beltway bridge collapse site June 8.

Both writers implied that the visit was politically motivated. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I was with the lieutenant governor at a political event immediately before the bridge collapsed. When she learned of the accident, her immediate response was one of concern and compassion for the victims. Her appearance at the accident site resulted solely from those emotions.

More disturbingly, one letter scurrilously attacked the whole Kennedy family. While citizens have a right to their opinions, I expected more from The Sun's editorial staff than to publish such abrasive commentary.

Ms. Townsend has made public one of her top priorities as lieutentant governor. Her visit to the accident site is indicative of her concern for public safety and the citizens of Maryland.

Kevin B. O'Connor, Cockeysville

The president of the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Accident victim thankful for aid

As one of the victims in the Beltway bridge accident June 8, I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude and love for the people who came to my aid.

It is hard to imagine the feeling of seeing pieces of concrete falling before me and being unable to stop; then, after the crash, finding that several people were immediately at my side giving aid.

I don't know who they were, but I will always remember the paramedics and the nurses and doctors in the shock trauma unit.

Elizabeth A. Freeman, Baltimore

Can't we make truckers pay for damage they cause?

The truck that knocked over a pedestrian bridge on the Baltimore Beltway caused major traffic delays as well as death and injury.

And, earlier in June, an overturned truck carrying black powder caused tremendous disruption on Interstates 95 and 495 in Virginia ("Truck accident snarls D.C. area," June 3).

Is there some way of requiring trucking companies to compensate local governments and commuters for the tremendous waste of time and effort such accidents cause?

Louis F. Drummeter Jr., Catonsville

An Afrocentric comic not tailored for whites

Of the many cartoons in The Sun, only a few are by African-Americans. And now, because Aaron McGruder breaks the trend of adjusting black comic strips to meet white America's standards, people want him gone ("Boondocks: racist or revelatory?" June 12).

Mr. McGruder said from the start that "The Boondocks" was a comic strip for blacks. Most of the comics in The Sun have never featured a black person and probably never will; yet when we get a little space for an Afrocentric comic, people want to take that away also -- just because it goes against their grain.

This brother is making a stand, addressing topics that need addressing and doing it in a humorous manor.

As African-Americans, we have been stereotyped by the white press and media since the creation of ink and paper.

I think the problem here is that Mr. McGruder is stepping on too many white folks' toes. Racism does exist in America. Aaron McGruder hasn't written anything that does not happen every day.

Cliff Coulter, Baltimore

Mencken: A sage whose insight we could use today

I applaud The Sun's choice of H. L. Mencken as the first "Marylander of the Century" it honored (H. L. Mencken, sage of Baltimore," June 20).

I imagine Mencken's reaction to today's America of President Clinton, Gov. Parris Glendening and Mayor Kurt Schmoke. But I would not wish to resurrect him from his more innocent times.

Would that a modern-day Mencken appear as a "welcome antidote to the flatulence" of today's writing in The Sun.

T. O. Thompson, Severna Park

Dads deserved better on Father's Day

Joseph Sterne's Opinion Commentary column, "Strong father not necessary prerequisite for successful son," (June 20) was a poorly timed Father's Day piece.

A headline about becoming successful in spite of a less than desirable mother would never have run on Mother's Day. We would never attempt to diminish the importance of motherhood in that way.

It's time we stop bashing fathers and men and treat them with the same respect we give women and motherhood.

H. D. Wood, Washington

Teachers should keep their sexuality out of school

For years schoolchildren have been taught by all types of teachers. But these teachers didn't discuss their sexual preferences with 6-year-olds. So, why must homosexuals announce their sexual preferences to children? ("Don't fear diversity, embrace it," letters, June 21.)

Why should this be an issue at all in the public school system? Heterosexual teachers do not have assemblies to announce to children that they enjoy sex with a partner of the opposite sex.

The sexual preferences of teachers, whatever they are, do not belong at a school assembly and shouldn't be announced in any way to children.

Julie Occhionero, Baltimore

Pub Date: 6/26/99