Harford County does little to manage growth

The Sun's "Fast-growing areas burdened by their booms" (May 26) noted efforts by officials in Anne Arundel, Carroll and Howard counties to at least begin addressing the problems associated with rapid residential growth, but made no mention of any such actions in Harford County.

Many Harford Countians perceive that County Executive James Harkins and his rubber-stamp County Council have done nothing in this regard. In fact, Harford County suffers from the inability of our elected leaders to even recognize such problems exist.

Just a few months ago, Mr. Harkins told Michael Olesker that there had been "virtually no growth" in Harford County in the past three years ("Harford Co. leader sees turnaround for the city," Jan. 15) -- a period in which the county issued more than 6,200 building permits.

Mr. Harkins and the council have stood idly by for more than three years, and allowed many of the county's schools to become critically overcrowded.

Moreover, after raising virtually every local tax and fee, and increasing the county's operating budget by $100 million, Harford County now spends a smaller percentage of its budget on education than it did four years ago, and has fallen to dead last among Maryland counties in per-pupil education expenditures.

Any claim that Harford County is managing growth is at least disingenuous, if not delusional.

Paul Gilbert

Darlington

Meddling with judges crosses ethical line

I am appalled that Del. Ruth M. Kirk, state Sens. Ulysses Currie and Ida G. Ruben and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller contacted the judges reviewing lawsuits challenging the governor's redistricting plan ("Miller accused of ethics breach," May 31).

By injecting themselves in the judicial process, these legislators crossed a serious ethical line.

Arrogance, not ignorance, is the real issue here. Mr. Miller and his colleagues pulled this stunt not because they don't know the rules, but because they feel they won't be held accountable for breaking them.

This episode epitomizes the excesses of unchecked one-party rule. Every Marylander ought to take heed.

Richard J. Cross III

Timonium

MTA pays little heed to the public interest

I read with interest the articles describing how the internal investigation (or lack thereof) of wheels falling off Maryland Transit Administration buses was hampered ("17th bus loses wheels; MTA chief on leave," June 2). Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise, but emphasizes how the MTA operates at its leisure, rather than for the good of the citizens it is supposed to serve.

I have been complaining in vain for years about the aggressive driving and excessive speed of buses on my residential street.

And I've stood at the base of my driveway and watched everything from soda cans to newspapers being heaved into the street and onto my lawn from the buses.

At least a runaway wheel would be something new and different for a change, and a whole lot more dramatic.

Corinne Becker

Towson

The writer is president of the Riderwood Hills Community Association Inc.

Shine a spotlight on every slaying

On Sunday, The Sun reported the shooting murder of a 17-year-old girl and the related injury of a 13-year-old boy on the back page of the Maryland section ("Two teens shot; one dies, other treated at hospital," June 2).

When did murder -- especially of a teen-ager -- become back page news? And who was this girl at the beginning of what should have been a long, maybe happy and productive life? Was this not considered much of a story because the shooting occurred on the city's dangerous west side?

How will we support our city's efforts to reduce murder and violence, how will we even know if we are making progress if The Sun doesn't shine a spotlight on every senseless death?

Jill Leukhardt

Baltimore

Crime, broken buses keep visitors away

The Baltimore Convention Center's bookings are not meeting projections ("Baltimore built it; they didn't come," June 2). I wonder if our city's high crime rate and toxic air have anything to do with this problem?

Or maybe it's just that conventioneers prefer buses that keep their wheels on.

Ken Iman

Baltimore

Embargo on Cuba is unfair, harmful

It is shameful that the Bush administration has chosen to continue the failed Cold War policy of isolating Cuba, rather than taking the modern approach of bringing the free market and democracy to Cuba through sheer force of American culture and trade ("Bush calls for reforms in Cuba," May 21).

There is little question that the Cuban economy, which already heavily uses the dollar and possesses a significant free-market underground economy, would quickly convert to free trade before an unrestricted flow of American goods, trade and, yes, tourists.

The Bush administration trumpets American freedoms while restricting our right to travel to Cuba. We can travel to the "axis of evil" countries, but not impoverished and largely harmless Cuba?

The embargo is unfair, ineffective, and harmful to Americans and Cubans alike.

Omar Siddique

Ellicott City

Dedicated professor can be a role model

The article on professor George Hahn of Towson University was a breath of fresh air ("Lectures that sing, ring and sting in the morning," May 20). Mr. Hahn's teaching techniques exemplify all the qualities of a brilliant teacher.

First and foremost, he develops a mutual respect between himself and each student. And his knowledge, presentation and enthusiasm for his subject are an outstanding role model for his student.

And Towson's students are as worthy of being exposed to the best teachers as those at other universities.

Ginny Hanson

Glen Arm

Stop the mourning; celebrate new life

On Sept. 11, we experienced the horror of the attack on our World Trade Center in New York City in which nearly 3,000 people were killed. Ever since, we have been reminded of the date over and over again.

Memorial services have been faithfully and respectfully done for all of the deceased. The horror of that day has been kept alive in an almost overbearing way. And this makes me anxious about how we will remember that day on Sept. 11, 2002.

We have been mourning much too long. It is not healthy.

It is most necessary that we celebrate new life. Let that be done in our houses of worship -- and most certainly not around a gaping hole in lower Manhattan.

Richard W. Shreffler

Baltimore