Published Letters from Baltimore County Members
March 2005
Sheridan caves into liberal agenda
Date: March 31, 2005
Publication: The Dundalk Eagle
Author: Tim Caldwell, Whiteway Road
The Baltimore County Police Department has come full circle in its efforts to control crime, from a highly recognized agency that was vigilant and effective, to a politically correct agency that now promotes a liberal agenda first and worries about crime second.
On March 17, a day that will go down in infamy, our tired and beleaguered chief of police, Terrence B. Sheridan, issued a statement saying that Baltimore County police officers will be forbidden to engage in the operation of sporting goods stores that sell guns.
This is Baltimore County's response to what is shaping up to be the most prolific year for crime in over a decade. With murder and robbery rates going off the charts, our Baltimore County executive, Jim Smith, has approved this policy change that attacks our own law enforcement agency from within.
What type of leader tells his own law enforcement troops that they are no longer qualified or trusted to own and operate a sporting goods store?
I would kindly ask the general public that, if you were to decide who is more competent to regulate the purchase of guns, wouldn't a cop fall somewhere near the top of your list? How is it, then, that we have this destructive policy in place?
Well, for starters, the old chief has fallen under the influence of several liberal policy makers, or "the Brass," who comprise his inner circle within the agency. Combine these liberal thinkers with a liberal county executive and you have a recipe for disaster.
What we can expect in the coming months is acrimony from inside this agency. A cancer has started to spread. No longer will our police officers be as concerned about crime as what is more politically correct.
I believe the time has come for wholesale house cleaning from the top down. Although this may be bad news for Col. Kim Ward and others who have positioned themselves for ascendency, public interests should supercede political aspirations.
Plainly said: Liberal politics and law enforcement don't mix.
It is time the Baltimore County Police Department returns to its conservative base and selects a leader who recognizes that "Guns don't kill people, criminals do."
Leftists appear to be jealous of Bush's accomplishments
Date: March 30, 2005
Publication: The Catonsville Times
Author: Gary A. Smith, Catonsville
Several letters in the Catonsville Times in recent weeks have led me to conclude that there are misconceptions about the United States of America that need to be dispelled.
First, the name of our nation is the United States of America; it is not "Bushland."
Second, the United States is a constitutional republic, it is not an "empire."
Third and last, the head of government of the United States is is the president, not the "emperor."
I would have hoped that individuals who are as learned as the writers of those letters would be better versed on such matters.
If those on the left would open their eyes and put aside their reflexive criticism of Mr. Bush, they would see that the president's policies, which Ms. Power condemns as "foolish, shortsighted and deadly," have sown the seeds of democracy in a part of the world where it has been hitherto unknown, save for the state of Israel.
If democracy will make the Middle East a more stable area, so be it. Would an "emperor" spread democracy? No. Did Mr. Clinton sow the seeds of democracy in the Middle East in his eight years in office? No. Would Mr. Gore or Mr. Kerry have done so? Doubtful, at best.
Perhaps the real reason that Ms. Power and Rev. Oliver hold such antipathy toward their president is simple jealousy because he is achieving what their side could not or would not do.
Proposed tax cut a bad deal for voters
Date: March 28, 2005
Publication: The Baltimore Sun
Author: Gary A. Smith, Baltimore
It is entirely fitting that Mayor Martin O'Malley announced his proposed cut in the city's property tax rate on the heels of the circus' appearance in Baltimore, as this tax proposal epitomizes P. T. Barnum's adage that "there's a sucker born every minute" ("Proposed city budget increases spending," March 23).
Mr. O'Malley has generously proposed cutting the city's tax rate by an entire 10 cents per $100 of assessed value, spreading the cut out at 2 cents per year for five years.
The mayor conveniently neglects to mention that during that five-year period, all property in the city will be reassessed at least once. Given the recent soaring values of real estate, the tax rate cut will be more than negated by increased assessments.
Mr. O'Malley has plausible deniability for the increased assessments, however, as assessments are done by a state agency, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Thus the mayor gets the best of all possible worlds: He gets to say that he cut taxes, he gets increased tax collections and he gets the opportunity to deny responsibility when angry voters complain about increased tax bills.
What a guy.
EHRLICH HAS RIGHT TO REPLACE APPOINTEES
Date: March 23, 2005
Publication: Community Times
Author: J. Michael Collins, Reisterstown
Editor,
Your article about Delegate Adrienne Jones (Community Times, March 16) being tapped to run an investigation into state personnel practices in an example why I switched from Democrat to Republican several years ago.
Speaker of the House Michael Busch has initiated this witch hunt in an effort to take focus away from his obstructionist views on Gov. Ehrlich's agenda.
Gov. Ehrlich has already stated he has not fired or replaced anyone under the protection of civil service. Yet, Speaker Busch justifies his witch hunt by targeting Joe Steffen, who had several jobs within the administration to weed out Democrats. The governor has freely admitted that he replaced some individuals who are not on the same page with his agenda.
In business this done all the time when a new CEO or department head is placed in power. Bosses want people who will follow their direction to accomplish the goal.
Delegate Jones wants to point our the firing of County Coucilman Vince Gardina to help justify the investigation. It has already been shown Councilman Gardena was a contract employee and these postions can be terminated at any time. Everyone knows it is sometimes cheaper to pay someone to go away than to pay lawyers to defend a frivilous lawsuit. Businesses and their insurance companies do this every day of the week.
Let me remind both delegates it was a Democratic governor who created the position of special appointments. Gov. Ehrlich is only following those footsteps.
What Joe Steffan did was stupid, but it hardly warrants an investigation. The last time I looked, we still had First Amendment rights, and if his comments were so offensive and wrong why doesn't Mayor O'Malley sue him?
Speaker Busch and Delegate Jones, I just paid my 2004 income tax in excess of $5,600 and if this is how you are spending my money, I demand a refund because there is no smoke, let alone a burnt out match, to this investigation.
DEFENDING VOTING RIGHTS AND MARRIAGE
Date: March 2005
Publication: Washington Post
Author: Carol Pinto, Baltimore
I seem to be the poster lady for the rally events that took place in Annapolis Jan. 27 and March 10. For the second time, a picture of me, with my hands in the air, praising God, was part of the Metropolitan section (" ' Marriage ' foes demonstrate." March 11.)
We are not "marriage foes." We are defenders of marriage as it is traditionally known between one man and one woman. Marriage does not need to be redefined in order for homosexual couples to have civil rights. Rather than let the courts redefine marriage against the will of Maryland voters, we are asking the General Assembly to pass an amendment that gives Marylanders the opportunity to vote and decide this issue. After such a vote, marriage will either be defined, as it is currently, in Maryland law as between one man and one women, or the definition of marriage in Maryland law will be reconfigured to include same-sex unions.
Elected officials who say "Let the courts decide" are denying all of us, regardless of our sexual orientation, the right to vote. What do the homosexuals fear? The should want to vote also.
The civil rights march of 40 years ago was led by Martin Luther King from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., to exercise the civil right to vote for the black citizens of this country. A few days later, the law was signed. Now we are being asked to "let the judges decide." That's not what the law says. It says qualified citizens have the right to vote.
Friday's story quoted a same-sex couple inside the House of Delegates as saying,"Once again, they are out there attacking who we are fundamentally, and here we are asking again politely for these rights."
Quoting this individual, who probably did not hear one word that was spoken at this rally, misrepresented the spirit and intention of the entire rally. I must ask that the Associated Press reporter who wrote this story talk to me and the other participants seen in the photo.
House slots bill just cover for cornered delegates
Date: March 10, 2005
Publication: The Howard County Times
Author: Paul Bunting, Arbutus
The article "County senators back slots bill," Feb. 24, doesn't give slot supporters much to cheer about. With the Senate having approved their bill, the Steven DeBoy-James Malone-sponsored bill as just passed by the House of Delegates seems to miss the mark from the original intent of bringing legalized slots to Maryland. Any compromise between the two doesn't look like it stands much of a chance to make it to the first turn.
I believe the initial intent of legalizing slots was to give our horse racing industry the opportunity to compete on equal footing with the surrounding states. The state would also benefit by having a portion of the proceeds used to fund education needs. Now under the DeBoy-Malone measure, it looks as if a smaller portion would benefit horse racing for only five years while giving the areas most outspoken against slots a share in the proceeds.
Placing slots at maybe only one track while the balance go to off-track locations would seem to be slot opponents' worst scenario. By having the majority of the slots at track locations, it would benefit the racing industry most while minimizing the impact to the rest of the state.
The House realized they had to get something out as Del. DeBoy had stated in the article. Unfortunately, the bill as passed by the House is their opportunity to save face while placing the onus on Gov. Robert Ehrlich to compromise. The delegates will be able to herald their flawed bill that stands a slim chance at being accepted by all parties, and they know it.
If the House passed nothing this year, it would become an issue at election time and they would be painted as the obstructionists that most take them for. Now having finally passed a bill, they believe they are relieved of any further responsibility to compromise.
Marylanders should view this bill for what it really is: a last ditch attempt by the House of Delegates to mitigate any damage slots could do to them next year. If slots are not legalized now they'll be able to place the blame on Gov. Ehrlich for not accepting the House bill.
Fortunately, Marylanders have a good memory. Marylanders wanted a slots bill that helps the horses, not a bill that puts up a smokescreen for the House of Delegates. Partisan politics rules as usual.
Party Line (R) Speaker of the House faces no-win situation on slots
Date: March 8, 2005
Publication: The Jeffersonian
Author: Chris Cavey
Annapolis is always a place of intrigue and is the current Mecca of political gamesmanship in our fair state. Capturing the governor's mansion, we Republicans suddenly became players and the Democrats don't like that we, too, can play the political games of chance.
After the special session in December, House Speaker Michael Busch wanted desperately to override the governor's veto of medical malpractice legislation and had to line up enough of his Democrat cronies to reach the magic number to do that. He found, while counting, that he was just one vote short and needed to promise some "sweet carrot" to get just one more anti-Ehrlich vote.
He dangled the potential of someone becoming lead sponsor on the House version of a slots bill and Baltimore County's own Del. Eric Bromwell took the bait.
Bromwell would be the magic vote to override the veto. He could then take pride that his vote created the new Busch tax on health- maintenance organizations and would keep true tort reform away from Maryland's citizens for another 10 years.
In return, he - a rookie legislator - would help Busch test the loyalty of members of the Republican Party.
As the midpoint of the session approached, it was time for Busch to unfurl his plan to embarrass the governor and the Republican Party. He informed his Democrat henchmen that they would count and control their Democrat votes and then force the governor's own Republicans to defeat the long-awaited slots bill.
The speaker knew that total control by his party was needed and that the timing had to be perfect. Committee votes would be kept close enough to maintain public interest. He counted on his minions casting just enough properly orchestrated votes to force the seemingly wavering Republicans to defeat their own governor's long-awaited desire - passage of a slots bill.
This was the perfect plan "Republicans defeating the governor," with Bromwell getting credit for helping his boss.
The big moment arrived. 'Tis time the speaker found that 35 Republicans were unified behind the governor. He had miscounted. He expected only 34 Republicans to vote with the governor.
He didn't count on unity. He didn't count on Republicans voting to represent their constituents. He didn't count on that one vote!
Poor Mr. Speaker. He now faces, once again, a no-win situation.
He let a slots bill make it to the floor of the House, where it passed.
The speaker now has to attempt the unprecedented maneuver of not allowing his House members to join a conference committee to work with senators to merge the House and Senate versions into one, agreed-upon bill.
Now his only choices are to be a total obstructionist or to allow the process to unfold ... and watch members of his own Democrat Party vote for slots.
I guess what goes around comes around.
Chris Cavey is chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party. He can be reached at .
Shutting out Sun writers leaves nobody 'robbed'
Date: March 2, 2005
Publication: The Arbutus Times
Author: Joseph W. Harper, Arbutus
I was shocked but not surprised by your recent editorial ("Sun lawsuit dismissal an affront to readers") concerning the governor's ban on discussions with David Nitkin and Michael Olesker. The article called them "seasoned journalists" and concluded that their reports would be "significant and enlightening."
No thank you.
There is already enough bias in the media; we don't need more. Just about everything Mr. Olesker has written is written (and I have read it, believe me) with the enemy - the Republican Party - in mind.
Would I the reader be "robbed of my right to information" about state government if I didn't hear from either of these gentlemen?
I think not.