JHU research already spawns many area jobs

We at Johns Hopkins Medicine share the excitement about the potential for job growth from the proposed biotech research park. But some of those quoted in the article "Baltimore area must push job growth, study finds" (Oct. 28) err in thinking that job growth has not yet been generated by Hopkins research prowess.

In fact, the last published study of the economic impact of the Johns Hopkins Institutions shows that Hopkins-related activities generated $1 out of every $33 in Maryland and an even greater share of the Baltimore economy.

And Hopkins-related jobs accounted for almost one of every six Baltimore jobs.

Currently, Hopkins medicine has one major research building under construction in East Baltimore and three more on the drawing board. We can't build new labs fast enough to accommodate the growth in our research enterprise, which is fueled by research grants to our scientists from the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.

Despite stiff competition, we receive more of those grants than any other school. And contrary to the perception of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's director, it is not true that "largely, the money stays within the institutions."

Every new grant pays the salaries of a wide range of employees, from the award-winning scientists to the laboratory technicians to the dedicated employees who clean the lab.

That money is then spread throughout the region for food, clothing and shelter, concerts, plays and sporting events and contributions to charities.

Dr. Edward D. Miller

Baltimore

The writer is dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Police look silly in confetti case

The Sun's article on Rebecca Orenstein's alleged "assault" on the Westminster Police Department made me check to see if the date wasn't actually April 1. But unfortunately for all concerned, the situation it described, while supremely laughable, is real ("Westminster police rain on former official's parade," Nov. 5).

Even if Ms. Orenstein's intent was to "startle" the young officer with her confetti tossing, so what? How could the Westminster police possibly look more ridiculous or petty?

By filing assault charges against Ms. Orenstein, Police Chief Roger G. Joneckis has succeeded in shooting his whole department in the face with silly string.

However, kudos to police spokesman Maj. Dean Brewer for his comment that the charges speak for themselves. Yes, they certainly do, and pitifully so.

The real pity is that, in going after Ms. Orenstein with this foolishness, the police chief also hits the faces of all of his officers, and they certainly don't deserve the ridicule.

Perhaps if Ms. Orenstein offered to pay for the officers dry cleaning this matter could be resolved.

Christopher Ferrenz

Chevy Chase

Endorsement betrays biases of The Sun

Although The Sun's endorsement of Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend came as no surprise, I am deeply disappointed by the specious explanations proffered in an attempt to justify this decision ("Townsend for governor," editorial, Nov. 3).

While acknowledging the "moral and ethical embarrassments" of the past administration, The Sun excused the lieutenant governor of any culpability, in spite of ongoing investigations of programs under her direct supervision.

And notwithstanding the administration's budget deficit of $1.7 billion, the lieutenant governor was touted as one "who can not only balance the budget but who can do so while maintaining the services the state needs to function effectively."

But perhaps the most egregious and insulting commentary concerned the selection of Michael S. Steele as Mr. Ehrlich's running mate. He was characterized as bringing "little to the team but the color of his skin."

Attempting to diminish Mr. Steele's professional accomplishments in such a cavalier fashion smacks of racism and demeans the journalistic integrity of the newspaper.

Terry M. Klima

Perry Hall

Although there was never a doubt in anyone's mind who would get The Sun's endorsement for governor, I was appalled by The Sun's editorial, which was totally inaccurate, irrelevant and insulting.

Henceforth, please stick to making The Sun's preconceived selection, without expressing your biases.

James B. Kenney

Hunt Valley

Demeaning Steele was truly offensive

The fact that The Sun endorsed Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend for governor is no surprise -- after all, the paper supported Gov. Parris N. Glendening for two terms as he turned a billion-dollar surplus into a $1.7 billion deficit ("Townsend for governor," editorial, Nov. 3).

But The Sun stooped to a new low by mentioning Michael S. Steele's skin color.

R. A. Bacigalupa

Baltimore

While The Sun has the right to endorse any candidate it chooses, I take offense at its characterization of Michael S. Steele as "bringing little to the team but the color of his skin."

As a former Johns Hopkins University classmate of Mr. Steele's, I have been fortunate to know him for more than 20 years. Mr. Steele is one of the most intelligent and articulate men I have ever met, and this fact has never struck me as having anything to do with the color of his skin.

He is also a genuinely caring and compassionate person who wants life to improve for all Marylanders.

Betsy Nessen Merrill

Baltimore

I was astounded when I read The Sun's editorial endorsing Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

It characterized Mr. Steele as black in skin color only. I found that to be an openly racist statement and am surprised at the lack of outrage on the part of African-American leaders at that statement.

Imagine the outcry if something like that had been said about any black Democrat. But, of course, Mr. Steele is a Republican, so such racist statements seem to be acceptable.

But I am a Democrat and I was deeply offended by The Sun's tone.

David B. Posner

Reisterstown

The statement by The Sun's editorial board that Michael S. Steele, "brings little to the team but the color of his skin," seems unfortunate at best and racist at worst.

Mr. Steele, a native Marylander, holds credentials at least as impressive as Kathleen Kennedy Townsend did when she was picked to be lieutenant governor eight years ago. I do not, however, remember any observation in The Sun claiming that she brought little more to office than her maiden name and her gender.

Readers of The Sun are accustomed to an editorial double standard. But never has it been more apparent or just plain wrong.

J.D. Urbach

Owings Mills