Letters to the Editor

The Baltimore Sun

Article wrong on Harmony Hall

The article written by Karen Nitkin ["Harmony Hall seniors drawn to art classes," July 1] certainly paints an erroneous picture of many of the residents of Harmony Hall.

To declare all residents, between 250 and 275 of us, as victims of dementia when she observed only 12 is a big mistake.

There are those who go out to volunteer their time at Howard County General Hospital, visit the ill at Lorien Columbia, a minister who serves at various churches when called on, men who are still putting in hours working in their businesses and a group of women knitting prayer shawls.

We also have residents who are younger but have been stricken with dementia. Many of our residents still drive their own cars.

As president of our Residents Association, I feel it imperative to correct this misnomer. The people living here have a great history of accomplishments.

We have a Navy veteran who is a Pearl Harbor survivor; many men and women who served in World War II, fighting in some of the worst battles, and women who served as nurses and in defense plants.

Our people shop at the stores in Columbia, support restaurants, dinner theaters and other establishments. Lumping us all together under a warehouse term such as was used in the article only adds to the problem of ageism - one of the worst bigotries in our country.

Eleanor Ciraulo

The writer is president of the Harmony Hall Residents Association.

Sigaty's proposals create worry

Mary Kay Sigaty, the County Council member who has proposed zoning regulation amendments to limit the height of buildings in Columbia and apply that limit retroactively, says that "people are worrying about tall buildings in downtown," and that the proposed amendments are designed to "calm fears about what could happen."

I am confused. If tall buildings don't belong in downtown, where do they belong?

And to be frank, these zoning regulations amendments do not calm the fears of business owners like myself and others who have staked their careers and livelihoods on being rewarded for their investments and labor if they follow the rules.

On the contrary, we are afraid of these amendments.

ZRA No. 79, which would restrict the height of buildings in the New Town, is designed to stop one project. It could have the effect of leveling - literally leveling - the future development of downtown of Columbia. Isn't that an extreme response?

We oppose attacks on projects like the Plaza Residences that have been approved through county process and are already in development.

We vehemently oppose legislation that would allow - indeed encourage - a lone appellant to slow or derail the development process for law-abiding businesses. And that is exactly what ZRA No. 83 would do.

Finally, if the county government tells you that you can do something, shouldn't you be able to think you can go ahead? Who are we supposed to check with to see if the government is right?

In discussing the business community's opposition expressed at Planning Board hearings, Del. Elizabeth Bobo told us that "it is as important, if not more important, that the people have the right to rely on the county government abiding by its own rules and laws and regulations."

She is absolutely right. But aren't we "the people"? Those of us who own businesses in Howard County, who employ other residents and pay taxes, who sit on the boards of the county's nonprofit organizations and other institutions, like the hospital and college, the Columbia Foundation and Horizon Foundation, who donate millions of dollars to support this community - aren't we "the people" as much as residents who are not business owners and professionals working in the community?

The "business community" is not made up of buildings, it is made up of people. Most of us live here as well as work here. And this group of people is not calmed by these proposed amendments; we are afraid and we are angry, and we feel dismissed and marginalized by some of those we elected to county and state office. They have forgotten that it is our businesses that contribute to Howard County's healthy economy, that we are the backbone of this successful community.

The proposed zoning regulation amendments would be bad for business, and that means they would be bad for the community and the people who work and live here.

Stuart Chandler

Jessup

Praise for school staff, parents

Achievement happens when home and school come together to support our community's future - our students. Each day, our stellar staff at Burleigh Manor Middle School give of their time and talents. They take on extra projects, spend time e-mailing parents with their support and attend activities on their own hours to show their dedication for the children they teach. All because they entered the field of education with a dream - to make a difference in the life of a child.

Each member of the Burleigh Manor Middle School staff has made a difference in the lives of our students. Whether it was the kind word that they offered in the hallway, at a moment when a student was struggling with a life situation or taking the time to kindly go over a school test or assignment, their actions of kindness and dedication all add up to great differences in how many students view their school experience. They inspire, offer possibilities and most importantly open up every life to educational dreams.

This dedication was very present in an achievement with our staff this year. This year, the Burleigh Manor faculty achieved 100 percent participation in joining our school's PTA. Last year, only a few schools in Maryland achieved this honor. Now, Burleigh Manor will join this list. This award shows clearly that the staff is dedicated to the work of education and to the efforts of our school's PTA.

In addition, our Burleigh Manor Middle School community received tremendous support via parent participation in joining our PTA, as well as participating in record numbers through our fundraising efforts and taking on numerous volunteer projects. Parent involvement is one important aspect as to why our school year was a great success. Our sincere thanks to our families and neighbors for their commitment to education.

We would also like to thank our wonderful PTA Business Partners, who gave generously throughout the year to support our PTA efforts. Special thanks to Score Learning Center, Starbucks, Synergy - The Future of Fitness for Women Learning Center, Let's Dish, Safeway, Weis and Giant.

Thank you for all that you do for every child, with one voice.

Linda Lagala-Spano

The writer is publicity chairwoman of the Burleigh Manor Middle School PTA.

Copyright © 2021, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Place an Ad
72°