Voices From The Readers

Voices From The Readers
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Replacement Needs Knowledge, Dedication

Editor:

(The following letter was addressed to Berlin Mayor Gee Williams with copies sent to the Berlin Council, Berlin Zoning Administrator, Berlin Planning Commission and this newspaper.)

This letter serves as a formal recognition from the Town of Berlin Planning Commission as discussed with Mayor Williams during our Aug. 22 meeting. I am resigning because I feel that I can no longer dedicate the required energy and time which the position deserves and have placed a priority on focusing on personal health and wellness.

I believe an adequate replacement must be able to offer technical expertise and the level of dedication that I feel I was able to bring to the Planning Commission. I strongly recommend that my replacement have specific working knowledge in the fields of community planning, engineering, land development, construction, architectural design, plan analysis and basic regulatory practices. Moreover, the replacement must also be willing to inform themselves on basic planning principles which enhance the sense of community to appropriately serve the desires of the town’s residents.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to dedicate my time and energy as well as utilize my specific technical knowledge as a civil engineer with an extensive background in land development to serve the community.

I trust you will make a sensible decision for my replacement in a timely manner.

David J. Rovansek

Berlin

Ballot Language Is Misleading

Editor:

(The following was addressed to the State Board of Elections Chairman Robert L. Walker with a copy sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley, Attorney General Douglas Gansler, Secretary of State John McDonough and this newspaper.)

I am writing to express my serious concerns about the fairness of the slots ballot language submitted to the Board of Elections by the Secretary of State’s Office, and ask that you conduct a complete review of this matter before you approve the 2008 general election ballot. The integrity of the State’s election system is at stake, and this matter demands your serious and immediate attention.

It is clear that the language submitted to you by Secretary of State John McDonough does not fairly characterize this important Constitutional amendment. The Baltimore Sun has described the language as “misleading” and recommends that it be rewritten; The Washington Post has said the language “misrepresents” the proposal before Maryland voters. Voices from across the political spectrum have raised concerns about this language, concerns that the State Board of Elections cannot ignore.

Regardless of whether one supports or opposes slots, we can all agree that this issue should be decided in a fair, open and honest way. The Maryland General Assembly made a decision to let the voters decide whether to amend our Constitution and legalize slot machine gambling.

It is your obligation to ensure that they are presented with a fair and honest description of this important ballot issue. Voters will be bombarded with enough campaign advertisements this fall; they don’t need to see another one from the State of Maryland on their election ballot.

In order for people to trust their government, they need to have confidence that their government leaders are acting in good faith and not misleading them. In my view, the State Board of Elections has an obligation to ensure that voters are not misled and that the ballots they receive have been prepared in good faith.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I look forward to your immediate response.

Peter Franchot

Annapolis

(The writer is the comptroller of Maryland.)

A Worthwhile Recipient

Editor:

Anna Foultz? Who’s she? If you don’t know, I bet you’ve heard of most of her fundraising events, which she runs in support of many local organizations through Star Charities, Inc., founded in 2006 by Anna and her husband, Carl, to better serve the community.

In recognition of her many efforts, Anna was been awarded the Ocean Pines “Sam Wilkinson Volunteer of the Year Award” for 2008. Mike Howell, director of the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, presented Anna the award at the August Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting.

This most recent award finds much company in that Anna was awarded the 2005 Maryland State Senior Hall of Fame Award and the Worcester County 2005 Most Beautiful People Award for her volunteer work. Prior to that, she had also received the highest award from the Girls Scouts of the Nation’s Capitol, two "Keys to the City" of Ocean City from then Mayor Jim Mathias, now our Maryland State Delegate, and the Congressional Award from President Jimmy Carter during his term as President of the United States.

Star Charities, Inc. sponsored events include:

The Annual Beef & Beer in support of Alzheimer’s and Cancer held in January;

The Annual Alzheimer’s Gala held in May;

The Annual Western Night at the Races held in July that has supported both Alzheimer’s and Diakonia in the past;

The Annual Girl Scouts of the Eastern Shore Dinner Dance in August;

The Annual Inter-Faith Caregivers Dinner Dance in September. This year’ event will take place on Sept. 19 at the American Legion Post 123 in Berlin from 5:30 until 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 apiece. Call 410-641-6198 or 410-641-7667;

The Annual Card and Games Fundraiser in November that has supported Women Supporting Women, a cancer support group;

and every so often, a fundraiser for some immediate new need.

In addition, Anna holds a weekly bridge game at the Yacht Club on Wednesdays and always has a word for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City, of which she is an honorary member, as the Kiwanis Club meets at the Yacht Club before her Bridge Game.

I have helped Anna with some of her events and have come to appreciate her so very much. She’s an inspiration to me, as I know she is to many others.

Certainly a most deserving recipient of the Wilkinson Award, especially when you factor in that Anna has been doing fundraising for over 50 years and is now an octogenarian. I wonder how many octogenarians are doing work like this. Thank you, Anna Foultz. You and Carl make our community a better place to live.

David J. Landis, Sr.

Ocean Pines

Witnesses To Recent Car Accident Needed

Editor:

I need the community’s help to locate any witnesses to an accident that took place on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of Coastal Highway (south side) and 67th Street.

A blue scooter was hit by a dark blue or black 2006 Chevy Malibu. My grandson was flown by Medivac to Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

Please anyone who witnessed or has any information contact me at 410-977-9505 or email to: [email protected]

Thank you so much.

John G. Berger