Readers' views: Sept. 26 letters - Part Two

September 26, 2004 Sunday

SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. A13

LENGTH: 1018 words

HEADLINE: Readers' views: Sept. 26 letters - Part Two

BODY:
Navy stadium

I would think that the Naval Academy would be a little more supportive of the youth of the community considering these young people really support the mids and their teams.

The county Recreation and Parks Department had an agreement with the academy stadium authorities to hold the next Youth Football League Championship Game at the stadium. In the past these games were played at Anne Arundel Community College. However, the youth sports program has grown tremendously, and a larger arena is necessary. It seems that in an effort to keep our young boys and girls out of trouble, the parents and the communities have been very active in the recreational programs that the county offers.

Too bad the Naval Academy doesn't feel obliged to support them. After confirmation that the championship game would be held at the stadium, the Recreation and Parks Department had big plans for this year, only to find out that the stadium authorities are reneging on the agreement.

They came up with some lame excuse that the youths would cause too much wear and tear on the field. Give me a break. First of all, the boys weigh no more than 160 pounds. Second, the field takes a larger bruising when you get the college players on the field, and whatever happens, the games are scheduled for November.

I would think that five months is plenty of time to have the field maintained for whatever it needs to be used for.

The sad thing is that when one of these young guys make it to high school as an outstanding athlete, the academy will be among the first schools knocking on his door to sign him up.

M. HARRIS

Annapolis

School redistricting

The best news for taxpayers was your Sept. 12 story that school districts may be redrawn.

Congratulations to Janet Owens for appointing Konrad Wayson to the school board; he is leading this long-overdue action. Eugene Peterson of the board also deserves praise for pushing redistricting as this will shift students into empty seats, thus saving millions and allowing money to be spent where it is most needed - in the classrooms and for our teachers.

Hats off to County Council Chairman Ed Middlebrooks for convincing the board to meet with the council, and to the entire council for asking the tough questions. Not only does the board spend half of every tax dollar, its actions affect the price of housing and our economy.

One of the reasons for the shortage of moderately priced housing in our county is that the majority of the county is closed to new residential construction due to the "overcrowding" of certain schools. The fact is that there are approximately 10,000 empty seats in the system. This alleged overcrowding reduces the house inventory and prices skyrocket.

If moderate housing is not built, where will the workers live who are being hired by the new tech and homeland security agencies and expanding existing businesses? Worst, new companies will locate in counties where the schools are adequate and take that tax base and spending power with them. The county executive noted that the robust housing industry last year was responsible for her not having to raise property taxes. If our local economy weakens, taxes have to rise.

The Anne Arundel County Alliance for Fair Land Use will continue to push for policies that strengthen our schools and economy and provide moderately priced housing for our citizens. Call 410-280-0956.

JOHN S. PANTELIDES

Annapolis

Ruritan parking

The Davidsonville area recently has experienced a lot of emotion and rumor regarding parking at the Ruritan Community Center. The community center is a private nonprofit complex. For decades the Ruritan Club has supported the Davidsonville Athletic Association by allowing us to use its property as an athletic field. This was necessary, as Davidsonville does not have enough county park space.

The Ruritan Club made a business decision to limit parking for athletic events to two grassy areas adjacent to the paved parking lots. Some people feel this action was not necessary. While both organizations have grown, the paved parking has not. There have been conflicts in the past when two functions are held at the same time and parties renting the community center were unable to locate paved parking spaces for their guests. This is occurring more frequently as the Ruritan complex is used for many purposes.

The Ruritan Club is working with the DAA to make this work safely and efficiently. What is needed is patience and understanding by all until the DAA is able to move to its new county park in the spring.

KEN SCHWER

President

KEN WHITLOCK

Vice president

Davidsonville Athletic Association

Smith, unions

Receiving the letter from the superintendent on Friday and then reading his op-ed piece ("No school employees would be harmed by health care change," Sept. 12) on Sunday was truly embarrassing.

As a teacher I am very much aware of what is going on and am not going to be soft-soaped with the use of lines like "we want what is best for you" or promises that the money could be "devoted to employee salaries and programs for children."

If the desire was to have what's best for us and the children, we would have been treated as professionals all along and had a say in what is happening in our schools.

Eric Smith wants to be rid of all unions. They interfere with his ability to have his own way. They are something he hasn't had to deal with in Virginia or North Carolina. His own legal advisers apparently can't rationalize with him or he wouldn't have written this letter in an attempt to negotiate directly with us, a situation contractually forbidden - not to mention the fallacies of his arguments, which put him in an even shadier position. He refuses to read our contracts when offered. He cancels meetings at which he might learn something.

Eliminating the TAAAC, AEL, SAAAAC and AFSCME Local 1693 would leave us without a voice. In that event, citizens of Anne Arundel County, we would leave, leaving you without a public school system of any value.

SUE HERSMAN

Annapolis