Editor:

I just finished reading the letter to the editor entitled "Be prepared to tax others in Bel Air" and I think that Ms. Stritch may not see the big picture. First and foremost the "Festival at Bel Air" lies within the 21015 ZIP code which is one of two ZIP codes listed as Bel Air. So I would say that the Festival at Bel Air is an accurate title. Let's remember that not just the incorporated town of Bel Air makes up the Bel Air ZIP codes.

So with that being said, The Regal Cinemas are not at Bel Air, nor is Lowes located in Bel Air South, as per their web site, and Wegmans certainly is not in Bel Air either. All three are located well inside of the 21009 ZIP code, which is Abingdon.

Ido think, however, that if a business wants to use a particular town a name reference, i.e., at Bel Air, in Bel Air, of Bel Air, why not purchase your property in that ZIP code so you can be in Bel Air if that is really what you want!

Many of us who live in Abingdon live here because we do not want to live in Bel Air or Aberdeen or Baltimore. Abingdon is our home and we would appreciate that big business respect that and say that they are Lowes of Abingdon, Wegmans of Abingdon or the Regal Cinemas of Abingdon.

It's just plain common courtesy. Maybe the county would or should not approve permits for businesses using the names as marketing ploys? Just a thought. As for the taxing of a business for using a town name outside of where they are, well that's ridiculous. Why on earth, in these hard economic times, would impose another tax on business who just might pack up and take their 200 or so jobs with them. If that is all the Rick Impallaria has to worry about, then maybe it's time he be replaced!

Shannon Travers

Abingdon