BGE chief cared about his customers
I was saddened to read of the passing of Edward Utermohle ("C. Edward Utermohle Jr., former BGE chief," May 18).
I heard of Mr. Utermohle back in the 1960s. We had to have an air conditioner installed in our house because of my youngest child, who developed asthma. We purchased a unit from BG&E, and they installed it.
The unit was great. It ran for three weeks and then nothing. I called the company, they came out, and then it ran for two weeks and then - nothing. This went on all summer. I had engineers, mechanics, lay people coming down to my house to check out this air conditioner.
Then one morning, a gentleman in a white shirt and tie with about four other gentlemen was at my door to check out the problem. The gentleman introduced himself as Mr. Utermohle. I know of him because I had worked for BG&E before my marriage.
Well, Mr. Utermohle found the problem and had it fixed and that was it.
He certainly was a wonderful person and we were fortunate to cross paths with him in this lifetime.
Marge Griffith, Pasadena
U.S. can't go it alone on greenhouse gas
The Sun's naivete is stunning. In the editorial "Longest mileage" (May 20), you favor higher auto fuel efficiency coupled with higher gas prices. As a result, you say, the world will benefit with less harmful "effects of climate change and rising sea levels." The U.S. is a small part of the world. Unless China and India get on the green bandwagon, the world will see no positive green effects, while Americans shoulder a large financial hit.
Linda S. Johnson, Arnold
Sun misrepresents emissions issue
So many misrepresentations in the "Longest Mileage" editorial.
First, another bureaucratic weight around the taxpayers' neck isn't the savior. Citizens will buy gas until they won't, then a glut of product will reduce its cost.
Second, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, another euphemism for the dreaded global warming crisis, are scientifically debated issues with credible weight of opinion on both sides, but your opinion implies it's a done deal.
Third, consumers want power and speed when they drive. State and local police issued many speeding tickets when gas was at the $4-plus level.
Fourth, do you really believe the Obama government would return money to the citizens after following your suggestion to raise the gas tax to motivate car buyers?
Fifth, and most unnerving, the country doesn't need to maintain its costly dependence on foreign oil producers. Deeper drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, drilling in ANWR, shale reconstruction and partnership with Canada will severely reduce demand for foreign oil, but, of course, The Baltimore Sun's editorials denounce such action.
Eugene J. Daly, Jr., Perry Hall
Baltimore government's mixed-up priorities
City Hall is crumbling ("Things falling apart at Baltimore City Hall," May 21), but there is money for conferences in Las Vegas ("The Talk," May 19).
Should the citizens be astonished?
F.P. Cordell, Lutherville
