Counties can't afford to pay teacher pensions
The Baltimore Sun's call for permanently freezing teacher pension payments at next year's levels and transferring state responsibility for future pension increases to local government would shortchange education in Maryland ("Teacher pension pinch," Sept. 24). Such a move would inflict irreversible, long-term harm on our students, schools and economy.
Maryland has made real progress raising student achievement thanks to a partnership between state and local governments to invest in our public schools and prepare our students for a 21st century economy.
The state provided historic levels of school funding under the Thornton plan, funding that has been dedicated to reducing class sizes and directing more resources to the classroom.
The state has also raised our teachers' pensions to a more competitive level, which is helping school districts recruit and retain high-quality teachers.
Transferring the burden of paying for pension costs to local governments would place unanticipated budgetary responsibility and undue pressure on local school budgets at a time when resources have become more limited.
Cuts to local government budgets would put education funding at severe risk.
Gov. Martin O'Malley has said that he does not believe that the responsibility for funding teacher pensions should be transferred to local government.
We agree and believe we can work together as partners to address education needs during this downturn instead of permanently damaging Maryland's children and Maryland's economic future.
Clara Floyd, Annapolis
James T. Smith Jr., Towson
The writers are, respectively, the president of the Maryland State Teachers Association and the executive of Baltimore County.
Will the DNR act to muzzle manatees?
Now that the xenobiotic manatees have invaded the Chesapeake Bay, it's time for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to take action ("Essex resident spots rare visitors to the area," Sept. 25).
Recall that the Department of Natural Resources declared the mute swan persona non grata because of its its non-native designation and its voracious appetite for submerged aquatic vegetation (bay grasses). A DNR-sponsored mute swan eradication program ensued.
Well, the vegetarian manatees ain't here for the Berger's cookies and some Natty Boh. A 1,000-pound manatee will consume up to 9 percent of its body weight in bay grasses per day, which is much more than a swan will eat.
Will the DNR revoke the manatees' temporary visas? Will manatee meatloaf or marinated manatee become standard fare in local Essex crab houses?
I hope autumn's chill will solve this problem before the DNR or PETA can spring into action, saving our tax dollars and our collective sanity.
Michael D. Rausa, Forest Hill
Stop Iranian tyrant before it's too late
When will the civilized world come to realize that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must be dealt with immediately ("Bush gives warning, resassurance at U.N.," Sept. 24)?
Why wait until he has access to nuclear weapons? It is obvious that no amount of appeasement or negotiating will satisfy this fanatical tyrant. Why must we be the "good guys" and wait until he kills tens of thousands before we act to stop him?
And let's not do another Vietnam or Iraq type of conflict. Let's fight it like a war we want to win. Before the first GI boot hits the ground, we should level Iran's cities, destroy Iran's infrastructure and cut off all its supply lines.
You win wars by denying the enemy the ability to wage war.
Carl Justice, Baltimore