Editor:

From my boyhood days when I trudged down country roads and farm lanes to deliver the old Grit newspaper to rural farm family neighbors, I have looked forward to getting my hands on the "ink on paper" news. Even now, I eagerly await the arrival of The Aegis to find out what is going on in my community because it provides a pulse into the lifestyles and priorities of my neighbors.

To wit, in Wednesday's paper, the main headline was "Harford is a drug hot spot, feds say." While some critics want to sweep the problem under the rug, because "it may give Harford County a bad name," Sheriff Jesse Bane's response is: "You don't solve a problem by hiding your head in the sand." He then proceeds to explain the positive advantages of Harford County becoming a partner with the national drug fighting organization HIDTA.

Immediately below that headline is one that reads: "Questions linger for Cedarday." This story describes an upscale community at the other end of the spectrum where the residents are demanding a proposed road not be expanded because it may affect their property values. One resident states: "We spent almost a million dollars on our house . . . This is our livelihood." Another says the problem is speeding on the existing road, but realizes "you can't legislate human behavior."

A third front page heading reads "1,000 protest over bridge toll increase." These protesters loudly demand the tolls not be increased for using our state's bridges and tunnels, but not a single individual suggests who is going to pay for the increased costs of maintaining, improving, and—yes—building additional facilities as our population increases and the additional number of travelers continually add strains to our existing facilities.

Finally, in the business section, I read: "Record Maryland wheat harvest forecast." This article was a pleasant story about the hard-working folks I can identify with having grown up as a farm kid. Though modern machinery and scientific advances have helped improve the way farming is done, a trip through our neighboring Amish farm communities reminds me of those old days when farmers kept on doing what they did best—provide food for our tables. Yes, they grumbled about the weather, the bugs, the government policies, but they kept on doing what was in their blood. Good years and bad years come and go, but these farm folks are the ones who seem to have their priorities in order and are my heroes. They win a few, lose a few, but keep on going!

Thanks, Aegis, for doing what you do best . . . delivering the news the old fashioned way—ink on paper!

James E. Willard

Kingsville