Letter

I'm a Cub Scout of Pack 678 and I'm currently working towards my Citizenship pin. One of my duties is to write to a newspaper (that's you) about an issue that I'm concerned about. Well, I'm concerned about school safety after the incident in Connecticut. I personally think that in every school there should be a security guard or policeman walking in the building to make sure no strangers come in to the building or any children bring any weapons in. I also think that every school should do a lock-down weekly so everybody is familiar with what to do if a stranger should come in the school.

Why are all these casinos being built with all the unemployed people living here in the United States? Sure, the housing may be on the upswing, but that doesn't say or mean that more people have more money. Yes, casinos may be competing with another, but more casinos will make more people poorer. Yes, a few might get rich, but how many of these people will know when to say, "Stop. " More casinos will bring more gangs and add to the population in the gangs already here. Who pays for these casinos?

 Ken Ulman confirms what many have suspected all along - parents of fat kids are too stupid to decide what their kids should drink. Finally an adult takes charge. This is why I voted for him - his vision sees priorities and he acts - by Executive Order, no less! How impressive.  I wonder what Constitutional authority he cites to do this? Never mind. At least his wisdom allows the parents to slowly poison their kids with aspartame. Next on his list? I hope it's those Easter Peeps! George W. Dress III Ellicott City

The people have spoken twice, once when they elected Al Dyer, and once again when they did not. Haven't we spent enough money, time and trouble on all of this impeachment business? And let no one be mistaken that someone is making a point. Mr. Dyer is the ultimate "happy warrior. " Continuing the process suits him just fine. It is the rest of us who are stuck with watching and paying for this now moot fight among people who can't stand each other. Time to stop carrying on in public and at public expense.

Editor: Oct. 16, 2 a.m., the Susquehanna Hose Company responded to a fire call at my residence on Red Head Way in Havre de Grace. The volunteer firefighters went above and beyond their call of duty. They mitigated further water sprinkler damage by use of tarps and moving furniture. They carefully and methodically searched all possible causes of heat. The volunteer firefighters were patient, polite, efficient and extremely professional. I would like to personally thank the 13 Susquehanna Hose Company volunteer firefighters who arose from their beds and responded: Assistant Fire Chiefs Steve Allers and Wayne Carroll; Fire Lieutenants Billy Lamana and Scott Pentz; Firefighters Ray Burroughs, Cameron Carter, Jami Gomez, Andy Lempka, Charles Maddox, Chad Myers, Ken Perry Jr. and Drivers Jim Hawkins and Mike Shenk.

There appears to be yet another reality check for those who thought that casino gambling would save horse racing in Maryland: twice as many horses were euthanized at Maryland race tracks last year (21) as in the previous year. Apparently track conditions and animal care regimens have not changed;  speculation is that with slot gambling responsible for larger purses, more horses are being raced in less than perfect condition. Casino gambling was supposed to be the panacea for Maryland's woes. Yet we have new and higher taxes, and now the animals are paying, too.  Marjorie Schulenburg Laurel

When is this newspaper going to end its love affair with Wegmans? If Patuxent Publishing is being paid for its front page Wegmans story and its up-to-the-minute updates on the anticipation for the grand opening, good. But don't dress it up as a news story. The lines between advertisement, opinions, and news are blurry. If Patuxent Publishing is not getting a chunk of the Wegmans annual marketing budget then you are missing out. How about running a free front page story on my family business, or my wife's interior design business, or my neighbor the architect?

McClelan's distorted viewpoint ("Flawed assumptions litter argument against same-sex marriage," letter, Sept.13), asserting the Old Testament "requires a woman to marry her rapist," comes from the verse being read out of context. Sam Shamoun ("OT and Rape,") says misinterpretation results from incorrect translation from Scriptural Greek or Hebrew. He clarifies that "taphas" means "taking her" and "…shakab [refers] to voluntary…acts between consenting parties. " He explains, "In [OT]

I agree with Mr. Kohn (letter, April 12) that one should not have to be registered as a member of a major political party in order to vote in a primary on Circuit Court candidates. However, I did some research and found that the current system of having candidates for this office appear on the primary election of both major parties has been in effect since 1941. That, of course, doesn't mean it can never be changed. I also learned of a Maryland court ruling in 2007 (Suessman vs. Lamone 383 Md. 697)

I am writing in response to a recent letter about the Bridge Columbia Project ("Don't replace Roue 29 bridge, just make minor improvements," April 5). I have a question for Ms. Weems, and for the community at large. When do we get to dream big for our community? When do we take a chance on something that will not only transform how we get around, but will bring beauty as well? The inspiring architecture of this beautifully designed bridge will make it an iconic structure over Route 29 which says a lot about us as a community.