State should pay Angelos the fee he fully deserves
It is easy to be critical of the legal fee Peter G. Angelos earned in the tobacco litigation ("Group to fight Angelos' tobacco fee bid," June 12). However, such critics conveniently forget the enormous risks that Mr. Angelos assumed when he undertook that case.
Verdicts against tobacco companies now seem commonplace. But when Mr. Angelos agreed to take on the tobacco companies, the industry had never lost or settled a case. The odds that Mr. Angelos would succeed were remote. Others had tried and all had failed.
Despite the long odds, Mr. Angelos risked millions to pursue the tobacco companies. In return, he only asked for a percentage of what he was successful in recovering. No other law firm in Maryland was willing to take this enormous gamble.
The state itself could have hired lawyers and paid them by the hour, but was unwilling to take that risk.
If the state ever honors its contract, Mr. Angelos will be richly rewarded for his efforts. However, that reward will be commensurate with the risks Mr. Angelos took and the billions his efforts recovered for the Maryland treasury.
Mr. Angelos earned his fee and Maryland should pay it. Moreover, citizens should thank him for his efforts.
Brian C. Parker, Baltimore
Political division of Essex ignores natural boundaries
Towson is upset about the proposed redistricting plan which would split the community into three councilmanic districts ("Council defends proposed districts," June 13).
Ten years ago, during the last redistricting, Essex was split into two districts.
The County Code states that natural boundaries should be used in drawing councilmanic boundaries. Back River is a natural boundary, yet half of Essex was put in the Dundalk district and is represented by a councilman from Dundalk.
To resolve all this, let's follow the code, not split communities, observe the clause about natural boundaries and return Essex to one councilmanic district.
Paul M. Blitz, Essex
Nonprofits should hire workers city can't afford
Everyone understands that Baltimore needs to reduce its workforce to become fiscally solvent. I think it would be better if nonprofit groups hired 200 people from the city payroll rather than pay an "assessment" ("O'Malley signs agreement with nonprofits," June 14).
They could even train the workers for new careers.
Everyone would win - the city, the nonprofits, the displaced workers and even the union.
Robert Cloutier, Baltimore
City Council's incompetence makes urban revival unlikely
The Sun's editorial "Nonprofits deliver, but City Hall doesn't" (June 13) hit the nail squarely on the head when it referred to our "amateurish City Council." But I guess its members laugh all the way to their banks - working part-time at City Hall, earning outrageous salaries, yet having the ability to increase taxes.
Considering the council's "amateurish" performance, along with members' lack of managerial and financial skills, it will take a miracle to make this a comeback city.
Grace Y. Jones, Baltimore
Balto. Co.'s arts funding enhances the whole region
As a Baltimore County resident and president of the Baltimore Museum of Art's board, I applaud Baltimore County's proposal to increase funding for the arts.
Our region is very fortunate to have not one but many world-class cultural institutions. They are a resource for students and teachers, a destination for families and an attraction for visitors.
The county executive and council members should be commended for their initiative to ensure continued service to the many Baltimore County residents who take advantage of their fine programs.
Charles W. Newhall III, Baltimore
Chelsea Clinton's parents are more than enough trouble
A recent letter writer said she has no doubt the only reason the public has never heard of Chelsea Clinton's misdeeds is because, unlike the Bush twins, the liberal media protected her ("Treating Bush's daughters worse than Chelsea Clinton," June 9).
It's one thing to dislike Bill and Hillary Clinton. But please don't sling mud at Chelsea. She's got enough problems trying to live down her parents.
Mary Ann Lechowicz, Parkville
Peace process only adds to the Palestinians' misery
Once again, Yasser Arafat has betrayed his people. He is agreeing to turn over his freedom fighters to Israel, with no concomitant agreement by the Israelis to punish those who have killed so many Palestinians and destroyed so much property ("Arafat, Sharon accept truce," June 13).
With each ensuing version of the "peace process" the Palestinians gain more and more misery and the Zionists gain more and more land.
One look at a map of the West Bank and Gaza showing all 180 fortified settlements makes it obvious there will never be a viable Palestinian state as long as these settlements (all of which are illegal according to international law) are in place.
Doris Rausch, Ellicott City
Progressive tax policies make Ireland prosperous
