Republicans do address city concerns Michael Olesker's...

Republicans do address city concerns

Michael Olesker's generalizations regarding Republicans' views of city problems require a response ("Will standoffish mayor stand firmly behind Townsend?" June 9).

Mr. Olesker argues that "the Republican approach to drugs has been reduced to a single word: imprisonment" and that Republicans have shown "sheer obliviousness" to city problems.

In fact, Republicans in the General Assembly have called for increased appropriations for drug treatment in Baltimore and for giving a greater budgetary priority to caseload reduction and salary enhancements in the state's Division of Parole and Probation.

And since the days of President Ford's administration, GOP lawmakers have supported increases in the Earned Income Tax Credit to help the working poor.

In the face of stiff opposition from Maryland trial lawyers and teachers' union leaders, Republicans in the General Assembly have also fought for no-fault automobile insurance reform and public charter school legislation, which the Glendening-Townsend administration has opposed.

Both of these reforms could significantly help to halt the flight of middle-class citizens from Baltimore.

With a little research, Mr. Olesker would learn that his stereotyping of Maryland Republicans is not grounded in fact.

John R. Leopold

Annapolis

The writer is chief deputy minority whip in the Maryland House of Delegates.

No evidence mayor is Baltimore's savior

No sacrilege is intended, but reading the coverage of Mayor Martin O'Malley's announcement that he would not run for governor conveyed the idea that the messiah for Baltimore has finally arrived ("O'Malley won't run," June 6).

Many people are being disingenuous when they imply that Mr. O'Malley has begun a virtual renaissance of Baltimore and that without his oversight and guidance Baltimore would regress.

Reading the paper daily, I am constantly aware that vacant, boarded-up houses proliferate in the city, that the homicide rate has not changed much and that educational achievement among city students remains at a low level. The heart of the city is still inundated with debris. And drug dealers dispense their wares at will, seemingly unconcerned about being apprehended.

Considering these facts, what has this "messiah" accomplished through his 2 1/2 years of "hard work and sacrifices?"

Hero-worshippers publicly play a political "shell game" -- projecting Mr. O'Malley as the savior of Baltimore, when his accomplishments to date refute that contention.

Isaiah C. Fletcher Sr.

Baltimore

Leaders must raise quality-of-life issues

Now that we have our mayor back from the brink of a too-soon political campaign for governor, it is time to broaden the focus of the leadership of this town called "Charm City" to more deeply include quality-of-life issues.

It is admirable that this administration has put much effort into bringing the murder rate down, is trying desperately to deal with drug-related crime and understands that improvements in education are much-needed. But other issues that get far less attention also play a substantial role in our quality of life.

For instance, how can we have a charming, enjoyable city if it is constantly trashed by its own inhabitants? How can it be charming to have people blaring car radios so loud that the windows and doors in homes shake as they pass by at all hours of the day?

If the mayor and the City Council really want to reinvigorate Baltimore and stop the exodus that plagues this city, they must address the more subtle needs of this community as well as the glaring ones.

Garry F. Cerrone

Baltimore

Farming alternatives can save open space

There is a very simple solution to the profitability dilemmas facing owners of farmland preserved under the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF): Expand the definitions of acceptable agricultural businesses for MALPF-preserved land ("Md. farmland now preserved could soon raise crop of houses," May 29).

Currently, owners of farmland in the MALPF program are restricted to "noncommercial" activities and to the production of traditional food and fiber commodities. In the increasingly suburbanized Baltimore-Washington corridor, it is difficult -- if not impossible -- to sustain the profitability of these activities.

However, suburbanization has opened up opportunities for new types of agricultural activities, which the Maryland Department of Agriculture has deemed "alternative" commodities. These include pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farms and riding stables.

These "alternative" agricultural industries are not only compatible with suburbia, they need suburbia to thrive. They can also provide excellent ways to sustain the profitability of open lands.

An expanded definition of agriculture is a simple and obvious solution. But it would require the MALPF board to think outside the food-fiber box.

Crystal R. Brumme

Lisbon

The writer is secretary of the Maryland Horse Council and publisher of The Equiery.

Why so much apathy about environment?