DBED isn't gambling with state's resources
I read with interest the editorial "Gambling blindly" (Dec. 2), which aptly summarized a host of past problems at the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development that were recently brought to light by a legislative audit.
Sadly, our agency's recordkeeping was lax, but we have identified and corrected all the auditor's concerns. And we have refocused the agency, streamlined operations and targeted resources to maximize productivity. I am proud to say these efforts are paying off.
DBED is moving quickly to design and launch the Maryland Biotechnology Center, part of Gov. Martin O'Malley's innovative 10-year, $1.3 billion investment plan to make Maryland a world leader in the bioscience industry.
We have also enhanced Maryland's international efforts, which has led to a record year for Maryland exports and helped us attract more than 10 foreign companies to the state.
In these troubling economic times, I want to assure all Marylanders that today's DBED is a focused, efficient and accountable agency that is working hard to attract businesses, create good-paying jobs and expand economic opportunities for Marylanders, not gambling state taxpayer dollars on questionable promotions.
David W. Edgerley, Baltimore
The writer is secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
Invest in infrastructure for a greener future
The editorial "Moving the economy" (Nov. 30) offered great suggestions about how we can jump-start our economy and at the same time revitalize our aging infrastructure.
But in deciding what projects to advance, the Maryland Department of Transportation needs to consider their long-term economic benefits.
Building road bypasses and highways, instead of investing in public transit and repairing old roads, will only contribute to our dependence on oil, our carbon emissions and the myriad costs of sprawling development.
This stimulus package needs to consider not just short-term job creation but also whether we'll benefit from an investment in the future.
Mike Sherling, Baltimore
The writer is a program associate for Environment Maryland.
MTA can't even learn how to take our fares
As a regular bus rider, I often rode for free during November because the bus fare boxes were not working.
In my 26 trips in November, the fare boxes were not working on five of them.
