Be aware of the past, but look to the future
I have a combination of amusement and annoyance when I read comments like the one made in the July 28 article "You Can Go Home Again". It starts out as a lovely story about an individual who "came home" to live, start a business, and make a commitment to a community she once, probably, could not wait to escape. I have been to the Blue Cow Cafe and it does portray the small town feeling. Honestly, as a newcomer to Columbia, I have not found many similar establishments.
In reading further, I was disturbed by the comment by Dave Russell, "There's a lot of people coming into Columbia that have no idea what Columbia was about 20 or 30 years ago. They just moved here because it was convenient."
I have seen this message written over and over again. It is a snobbish attitude to believe that residents of Columbia are any different than residents of any other community. Most individuals want to see their community thrive.
Why should a new resident care about what Columbia was like 20 to 30 years ago? It is 30 years later and Columbia has some current issues to address.
With this mindset, a community will remain stagnant and will never be able to properly address current problems or instill new ideas.
From my standpoint, resident representatives and residents need to embrace what was important from the past, and blend current ideas to solve problems and move forward. Unfortunately, having moved here during the conflict with the CA president, and having followed other issues in the news publications, I am doubtful.
Catherine Marks
Columbia
In defense of using community gazebo
It was good to finally hear from Mr. Woodhouse in his Letter to the Editor (July 28) concerning my use of our homeowners' gazebo.
Mr. Woodhouse has, up until now, not responded to reporters and even refused to shake my husband's outstretched hand at the rally, when he visited to take pictures. I feel a few points in his letter need to be corrected, however: 1) invitation to all the homeowners in the HOA does not constitute "proprietary," 2) my verbal inquiry came from Mary Tung, not from the campaign committee, 3) and it was made to the management firm at least the week prior to the invitations going out. Apparently, the management firm failed to communicate to Mr. Woodhouse prior to July 1.
I contacted the management firm since there are no bylaws concerning the use of the gazebo, and therefore, I wasn't sure who to contact.
So contrary to the assertions of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee Secretary Melody Higgins in her unattributed Letter to the Editor on July 21, we are not "trespassers" or "lawbreakers," we were just exercising our right to free speech and assembly on Clarks Glen common green. Our forefathers would be proud.
Mary Beth Tung
Republican candidate for state delegate, Clarksville
Help teen loiterers be part of community
This is in regard to the article in the Aug. 1 Howard County section regarding loitering at the Long Reach village center. I have no objection to the article, which is well-balanced, only a comment.
As a middle-aged white resident of Long Reach, very far from objecting to, I welcome the congregation of young, mainly black males. It is a well-known situation in our culture that youth need a place to "hang" and never get one because of liability considerations.
There is a police substation on the premises, for heaven's sake, and they are not going to risk any misbehavior. They just want to be with their friends. All public forums are potential sites for "loitering." Instead of chasing them away, open up a concession stand for them. And put up a big sign saying "call him sir, not yo."
John Brosseau
Columbia
Animal Advocates offers sterilizations
As I write this letter, every cat cage at Howard County Animal Control is filled. This situation is not unique to our county.
It is estimated that as many as 10 million animals enter shelters across America each year, and tragically over 60 percent of these animals will be killed. Only 1 kitten in a litter of 5 will ever find a "home for life".
The enormous number of animals entering shelters is so high for many reasons. Many animals are brought to shelters because they are strays with no identification that would enable them to be returned to their owner, many are brought in because their owner is relinquishing them. This time of year the most common excuse given is "we are moving". But most often, they were simply born to an un-spayed dog or cat whose owner was not prepared to handle an unintended litter.
Some of these pets are too sick to rehabilitate, some become too aggressive to adopt, and some just run out of time. Whatever the reason, too many of these pets end up dead.
Animal Advocates finds this situation unacceptable - especially when we can all do something about it. We need you to help spread the word about the plight of animals in shelters in our country. We must work together to educate others about dog and cat overpopulation, the importance of spaying or neutering pets, and the multitude of perfect animals that pet-seekers can find in our country's shelters.
Animal Advocates has an aggressive spay/neuter program. If you are income eligible we will spay or neuter your pet for free. If you don't qualify for free services we can send you a discount coupon. Don't wait any longer. Do it now! There is no excuse. If your pet is already sterilized tell your friends and neighbors to call us at 410-880-2488.
Ann Selnick
The writer is president, Animal Advocates of Howard County, Ellicott City
Supporting Watson for school board
Courtney Watson is a consummate advocate for the school children of Howard County. Her contributions to the public school system are numerous - from developing measures to reduce overcrowding, to improving safety within our schools.
But perhaps most important is her work educating and empowering other parents. While she does not know all the answers, she knows how to get the answers, and routinely shares that knowledge with other parents.
Ms. Watson is known for her work on teams that achieve solid goals, such as securing funding for the new Bellows Springs Elementary as well as ensuring a proper site for that school.
While Ms. Watson has a proven track record of many accomplishments, typically she has achieved these goals because of her keen sense of respect for people at the grassroots level. She values input from all who take an interest in the children and the school system.
Above all, Ms. Watson has demonstrated for many years that she is willing to give selflessly to the community and the school system - in or out of public office. Ms. Watson is the kind of leader that we need on the Board of Education.
Diane Goodridge
Ellicott City
State's racetracks must be restored
On the article, "De Francis tally sheet is tough to handicap," which ran July 16:
In the vernacular of the horse racing game, "he's running up the track ... " (A reference that a horse has finished dead last.)
Speaking of "runners," people are busy "running" to other tracks (Charles Town and Delaware park). Why? Pimlico and Laurel are sad jokes. Pimlico gets dressed up once a year for the Triple Crown. Laurel is dressed up for a date with a wrecking ball. Both tracks are in such decline it's hard to "pick a favorite."
Ironically, I just came across a passage in the 1999 World Almanac about Maryland. It stated that two of its tourist attractions included The Maryland Million and The Preakness. Why isn't more money put into restoring the Maryland's horse racing industry as a whole? It's not just gambling!
Don't blame De Francis entirely. Glendening is also to blame. Glendening didn't go to Old Hilltop this year for The Preakness. He should've attended the event.
Glendening opposes slot machines because he doesn't condone "that kind of gambling." If slot machines can help bolster Charles Town and Delaware Park, why can't Maryland try it as well?
(Question: How many new scratch-off games have come out since Glendening has been in office? Also, in that profit and losses report you printed in De Francis, where does the corporate welfare money show up?)
Slot machines alone will not fix the woes of Maryland's horse racing industry. Both Laurel and Pimlico need the same kind of renewal effort that went into the Inner Harbor project back in the late 70's early 80's.
The article suggested that it's tough to handicap De Francis. How's that? He shows "terrible form for a runner of such wonderful pedigree." He's had a bunch of bad races and hasn't delivered the goods.
I'm as tired of the excuses as I am of the crumbling facilities he runs. It's best to keep him out of "allowance" and "stakes" competition. Better keep him in "nickel claimers" and hope that he can "pay for his oats."
Prediction: in his next outing, he finishes ninth in a field of eight. And, he'll have Glendening right behind him.
Edward W. Ganoczy, III
Elkridge