Pasadena area already harbors enough spoil It is...

Pasadena area already harbors enough spoil

It is encouraging that the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) is considering using dredge spoil to restore sinking islands in the Chesapeake Bay ("Port looks to islands to ease dredging woes," Sept. 9).

However, at the same time the MPA was trumpeting its new-found sensitivity to the environment and community, Pasadena residents were shocked to learn the port is considering building a massive, dredge disposal island off our shores (Site 170).

Under the MPA's plans, this proposed island could extend all the way from Bayside Beach to Kurtz's Beach to Venice on the Bay to Fort Smallwood Park.

Just imagine its impact on fish, crabs, clams, ducks and recreational boating -- not to mention the wells we depend on for water.

Our area is already home to a soon-to-be-opened dredge disposal site, Cox Creek, which will handle the most toxic spoil from the Baltimore Harbor. In addition, the upland portion of that site will host a prototype program for dredge-spoil recycling.

Community leaders have worked with the port on both projects. Obviously, the citizens of Pasadena and the environmentally stressed Patapsco River are doing a lot to support the port.

To saddle us -- and our fish and wildlife -- with a third major facility to handle dredge spoil would be most unfair. Enough is enough.

Rebecca Kolberg, Pasadena

Anhydrous ammonia may threaten children

We are the parents of two children attending Solley Elementary School. We love our children dearly and it is our intention to keep them as safe as possible at all times.

Imagine our shock and horror upon reading the newsletter we received from their school about the situation at the Brandon Shores treatment facility, which is only a quarter-mile from the school.

Should an incident occur with the anhydrous ammonia solution headed for the plant, the surrounding area must be quarantined and must remain "in shelter" for up to 72 hours, depending on the weather and winds; for a school full of children, that simply is not possible.

However, there is a safer solution to the problem, although it is much more costly. The plant could utilize a method known as ammonia on demand, which produces ammonia from the urea on-site and would eliminate many of the risks of trucking and storing the anhydrous ammonia.

We are against the Brandon Shores plant using anhydrous ammonia and in favor of the ammonia on demand alternative, which has proven to be much safer.

Bill Milleker, Robin Milleker, Pasadena

Law that combats abuse must be renewed

Women and children are in jeopardy at this very moment because Sen. Trent Lott and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert are holding the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as a political hostage. The congressional session is scheduled to close Oct. 6 and, if VAWA is not brought to the floor for a vote, it will expire.

I am a social worker and domestic violence counselor who provides therapeutic support for men, women and children in individual and group sessions for both victims and offenders. I have personally seen the benefits of VAWA in Anne Arundel County.

I also work in a shelter and work with the DVOTEE (Domestic Violence Through Enforced Enhancement) officers who are located in each of the four county police districts and monitor domestic violence in their district.

The DVOTEE program originated through a grant from VAWA. Shelters receive funding from VAWA. Court advocates, attorneys, therapists and other service providers who work with victims of domestic violence are financially supported through VAWA.

As I spend time with both the victims and offenders, I know there is much work to be done.

Women sleep soundly in the safe setting of the shelter, often for the first time in months, even years. Victims, who are similar to hostages, slowly learn that they don't have to be afraid of noises and come to regain their sense of self.

It takes time and some women do return home, to suffer again, because they cannot find affordable housing or jobs that pay the bills.

But VAWA must be allowed to go to the Senate and House floors for a vote, now.

Charlene Van Nest, Annapolis

What about florists from Anne Arundel?

The Sun's "Neighborly with roses" (Sept. 7) was a great article about how wonderful Good Neighbor Day was and the great intentions of the people who gave out roses.

My concern, however, is the fact that all the florists the article mentioned are in Carroll County. Although this article was printed in the Anne Arundel section, not one Anne Arundel County florist was mentioned.

The Sun did a great job depicting Good Neighbor Day. But an article in the Anne Arundel section should have mentioned a few Anne Arundel County florists.

Christine M. Cogliano, Glen Burnie

The writer owns the Red Rose Florist, a Glen Burnie flower shop.

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