What could $300 million have bought?As taxpayers, we are...

What could $300 million have bought?

As taxpayers, we are almost universally disgusted with those who solicit and receive welfare payments on behalf of their children, then neglect their children to buy drugs, drink or gamble.

Knowing what a mere $200 or $300 million could do for the poor, the sick, the elderly and the school children of Baltimore; their corps of teachers, inadequately equipped and underpaid, and its police department, which is inadequately equipped and understaffed, Baltimore and the state of Maryland are going to take the money from future generations to build a palatial place of business in which the wealthy will go to be entertained by overpaid grown men playing a schoolboy's sport in public.

The governments of Baltimore and the state of Maryland consistently plead civic responsibility to the poor, to the aged and to students in the public school system, and consistently solicit and receive federal assistance.

As conditions in Baltimore inevitably worsen, and Washington balances the national budget, aid to cities will be harder to get, and that aid which might be had from Annapolis will have been squandered on Gov. Parris Glendening's memorial to William Donald Schaefer.

Jeffrey Klein

Severna Park

How about Baltimore Prides?

I agree with those who are suggesting that Baltimore's new pro football team be named something other than the "Baltimore Browns." The question now is what name? The Sun ought to sponsor a contest -- winner gets a season ticket for the new team's first year in Baltimore.

I think the name should have something to do with the city of Baltimore or at least the state of Maryland. (True, there were the "Colts" and the "Bullets," but that's all in the past). Let's see, the "Orioles," "Terrapins," "Skipjacks" and "Clippers" have already been taken. Ditto the "The Pride of Baltimore." So what's left? Stuff like "Clams," "Crabs," or "Oysters?" Nah. OK, so how about historical names like "Calverts," "Lord Baltimore" or "McHenry" (after Fort McHenry)? Maybe. Personally, I like "The Baltimore Prides." No? Well, it's a start. Any other ideas out there?

Cliff Eley

Annapolis

Nothing 'American' about nude dancing

American Joe Miedusiewski should not be allowed to use the word American for lobbying to bring nudity to Baltimore. We have enough filth to deal with already in all cities of the United States. Or just watch in the privacy of your home, if you must.

Carol Salisbury

Severn

Boards are for patronage

The lead Maryland section article of the Nov. 12 Sun for Anne Arundel was headlined "Boards play powerful role in county life," with the subheading, "Dozens of groups make decisions, mold policy."

Since there was never a hint in the article about the real impact and purpose of the practice, this letter will hopefully provide some balance for your readers.

These boards have a minimal impact. The elected officials and their aides still make the decisions. If the decision turns out in sync with public opinion, the official takes credit for it. If the reverse is true, the official refers you to the board. In short, the boards waste a lot of time, resources and money of taxpayers.

A second purpose of the boards should not be overlooked. They provide the officials with a convenient system of patronage. Serving on the "important" boards give a great notoriety and satisfaction to the friends and supporters and relatives of elected officials. The boards provide a lucrative supplement to scholarship patronage, a practice followed only in Maryland among the 50 states.

Bill D. Burlison

Odenton

Making school panel choice binding wouldn't be a 'disaster' for schools

We in Anne Arundel County appreciate fair coverage by The Sun on local issues. However, the editorial which appeared on Dec. 1 concerning our school board nominating process uses such prejudicial terms as "run amok," "disastrous" and "cockeyed," and misstates and distorts the history of our process.

Since we were chartered as a county in 1962, each April we have held three public forums which precede the annual School Board Nominating Convention. At these debates, school board nominees state and defend their views, which leads to substantive public discussion. The convention recognizes only delegates from non-partisan, non-profit community groups that meet specific criteria. Our convention has been a lively, grass-roots advisory process for 33 years. It is a remarkably continuous and constructive process which has become part of the basic fabric of county life.