Letter

Editor:  In response to the person who wrote a letter condemning the county for building a new Emergency Operations Center, let me ask:  What was the most important building in the county in February of 2010? Not a school. There was a blizzard - schools were all closed.  What was the most important building in the county in August of 2011? Not a school. There was a hurricane - schools were all closed.  What is the more important building in the county between the middle of June and August?

I have lived in Rodgers Forge for 45 years, and I have some concerns about the wish of Larry Fogelson, head of the community tree committee, to plant many more trees ("Tree committee gets growing in Rodgers Forge," April 26). When the Forge houses on the hill were first constructed in the early 1950s, many of the trees planted by Keelty were silver maples. These maple trees grow quickly. At maturity, they often take down power, phone and cable lines, their roots seek out and invade homeowners' sewer lines and cause uneven pavements - which are a hazard - and they also lead to gutters that need to be cleaned of pods and leaves.

Thank you for the article on education opportunities for immigrants. (Page 1 & 11, June 8th). Unfortunately, I must take issue with the writer's use of the term "Illegals. " God did not create anyone "Illegal. " Please use the term "undocumented immigrants. " The tone referenced in the article is one of withholding. The article seemed to center about withholding opportunities without discussing the alternate options. The issue of undocumented immigrants is complicated. Many persons came to the US to flee unemployment, violence, crime or lack of natural resources.

We've long known, though we too frequently forget, that messages of few words can be potent. Every now and then, one of our correspondents sends us a letter that succinctly reminds us of that. A case in point is George Hipkin's letter at the bottom of this page. It delivers a powerful message. For many years on this page, there was a note limiting letter writers to 300 words along with the message that "shorter letters were invariably better read. " It was true years ago and it's true now, even though we occasionally need to be reminded of that.

It's natural to want more for our children I found the column in which Diane Cameron advises us to expect less and want less to be rather naive and even somewhat offensive ("Our wealth is relative to our desire," Commentary, Nov. 25). Like Ms. Cameron and many other adults, I made much less money in my 20s than I do three decades later, but I never felt "poor" living in my small apartment and driving an inexpensive car decades ago. However, my desire to have more wealth as I grew older stemmed not from a desire for a fancier car or a better wardrobe but from an increased sense of responsibility after I got married and had children, and my desire to make sure that my children had the tools necessary to succeed in a highly competitive world.

Editor: Kudos to Anne M. Brown of Bel Air (Open Forum, 27 Jan 12). Her letter said it all. For 16 years, Robert C. Richardson III's life has been swept under the rug and now our judicial system wants to do the same with his future! Are there so few of us who cannot feel compassion for this child? Yes, child, albeit a troubled one. He did not get that way overnight nor did he get there by himself. He needs help and support - not more abuse and disappointment. He needs love and understanding - every human's birthright!

The first funny piece of news my husband shared in a letter from boot camp this summer was that he had been chosen to be his platoon's scribe. He'd have to write schedules, record scores and fill out paperwork, among other duties. My first thought was: Have they seen his handwriting? I have. During 13 weeks of communicating exclusively by letter -- BlackBerrys and cell phones and laptops are as forbidden as long hair and first names at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot at Parris Island, S.C. -- what I'd long thought of as chicken scratch soon became the most comforting sight in my universe.

Thank you everyone who participated yesterday in Clear Your Clutter Day. We had an overwhelming response with 623 cars coming through. That number does not include the many cars who got in line, waited an hour and decided to move on before actually coming through. At times the traffic snaked around and through the college and there were three aisles of cars working their way through the parking lot. HCC Security did a fantastic job of managing the traffic. I am profoundly appreciative of the people who stepped in at the last minute to help and who without planning gave up their Saturday just to keep the event moving including: BumbleJunk of Bel Air - Ryan and Stan; Rebecca and Annabel Jessop; Amanda McGhee and family; Greg Deal, Steve Pulliam and Lou at HCC. Thank you to the partners who came on time: SARC,Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, Always Recycling, The Shred Mill, College Hunks Hauling Junk, HCC Vowlunteers.

Editor: When I walked out to get my paper on a cloudy, wet Wednesday morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see Ms. Spear smiling and giving me a thumbs up, celebrating John Archer School's first ever prom. I've been smiling ever since, and the sun has been shining ever since. Thank you Aegis , for recognizing the event. I can hardly wait for my son Ryan to attend! Bill Dee Bel Air

I would like to thank Councilman David Marks, the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations, the West Towson Community Association, Nancy Hafford and Scott Jenkins for their assistance in stopping the proposed increase in density at The Colony at Kenilworth. Aimco, the owners of The Colony, have consistently refused to maintain their property in a way that is conducive to comfortable living in Baltimore County. They have refused, until just recently, to communicate and cooperate with Towson University's Student Life organizations to help control their large student population.

This letter is in response to Brenda Kaufman's May 3 letter, "Parks brochures are no good if residents don't see them. " We are glad she enjoys Howard County's three seasonal recreational and activity guides. (We also produce a summer camp guide.) This past year, activity and recreational guides were distributed by inserting them into the local papers. Beginning with the August 2012 guide, residents can again look for the publications in their mailboxes. To find out when your Guide will be mailed, check our website (www.howardcountymd.gov/rap )

My heart goes out to the family of Jenny Olenick, who by all accounts was a talented and wonderful teen. The May 5 article detailing events surrounding the filing of a malpractice suit, "Lawyers question teen's health before death," got my attention for several reasons. To imply that pre-exiting conditions, such as stress, anxiety and heart disease would have contributed to or caused her death seem far-fetched. As reported in the article the autopsy report found "no evidence of a physical process, like cardiomyopathy having occurred," according to the state's chief medical examiner.

Editor: I would be remiss if I didn't note the passing of the longest serving voice for Deer Creek land stewardship. Sensible politics and characteristics of a true gentleman. Monroe Duke was 94 and his beautiful wife, Olga, who predeceased him, were the kind of couple that continue to keep Darlington's integrity intact. Bob Chance Darlington

On June 25, 1992, The Baltimore Sun published its first letter to the editor from Patrick R. Lynch, who bemoaned the theft of his father's car from a Baltimore County park-and-ride lot. He called the incident "park and heist. " Since then, the Nottingham resident's letters and comments have appeared in The Sun more than 100 times. "Although I never pursued a career in the print media, I have always found writing to be an excellent release," says Lynch, The Sun 's most prolific letter writer of the past year.

Editor:  In response to the person who wrote a letter condemning the county for building a new Emergency Operations Center, let me ask:  What was the most important building in the county in February of 2010? Not a school. There was a blizzard - schools were all closed.  What was the most important building in the county in August of 2011? Not a school. There was a hurricane - schools were all closed.  What is the more important building in the county between the middle of June and August?

Thank you everyone who participated yesterday in Clear Your Clutter Day. We had an overwhelming response with 623 cars coming through. That number does not include the many cars who got in line, waited an hour and decided to move on before actually coming through. At times the traffic snaked around and through the college and there were three aisles of cars working their way through the parking lot. HCC Security did a fantastic job of managing the traffic. I am profoundly appreciative of the people who stepped in at the last minute to help and who without planning gave up their Saturday just to keep the event moving including: BumbleJunk of Bel Air - Ryan and Stan; Rebecca and Annabel Jessop; Amanda McGhee and family; Greg Deal, Steve Pulliam and Lou at HCC. Thank you to the partners who came on time: SARC,Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, Always Recycling, The Shred Mill, College Hunks Hauling Junk, HCC Vowlunteers.

The Bel Air High School After Prom Party committee would like to thank the following area businesses and/or individuals for their generous donations, which helped to make our after prom party, held at the Bel Air Athletic Club April 28 -  29 a success. Three hundred and seventy seniors and guests were entertained in a safe, chemical-free environment, thanks to: Applebee's, The Arena Club, Aruba Tanning, Bel Air Athletic Club and Spa, The Baltimore Ravens, Bella Amici Salon, Bellissimo Seafood Bar & Grill, Bertucci's, Best Buy, Blue Ridge Mountain Cookery, Inc., Dianne Bowen, Boyle Buick, Doris Brown, Brian Bunce Barbers, Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Chili's, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Churchville Golf, Color Lounge Salon & Spa, Commercial Ware Washing Services, LLC, Costco Warehouse, Curves, Melanie Desilets, Dick's Sporting Goods, Edible Arrangements, Einstein Bros.