Cruz Deserves Nod
Editor:
There was a petition going around asking us to sign to get Trump to debate, one on one, with Ted Cruz.
Trump won’t debate Cruz because he knows he will lose. He is a deal maker. Cruz is not a deal maker. That is the reason why establishment Republicans in Congress don’t like or support him. This forces Cruz to struggle in Congress to accomplish things. He called the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, (from his own party) a liar. Cruz fought against Obamacare and amnesty. He fights for the second amendment. What more proof do you need that he is not establishment and he is the man we need? When has a member of Congress called his own majority leader a liar?
Cruz wanted to close down the government in order to defund Obamacare and Planned Parenthood, (you know, the people who sell unborn baby parts). Trump wants to make deals. If Trump doesn’t get his way and is criticized, he has a temper tantrum as he had by not attending the debate of Jan. 28. This was in response to a question, last August, that Megyn Kelly asked him about his disparaging statements about women. He was so offended that he refused to attend the Jan. 28 debate that Kelly got to moderate again. Trump is a narcissist and his ego needs its own zip code. We have had a narcissist for seven years. Isn’t that enough? Trump is a progressive that think it is all about him, not American and the Constitution. He admitted to supporting TARP, the stimulus, Obamacare, ethanol, gay marriage, and partial birth abortion in the past. He now supports ethanol to get the Iowa vote and eminent domain for personal use, (deal maker). He said he likes Reid and Pelosi.
Cruz wants a 10 percent flat tax, Trump wants a tax much higher. Remember the expression, “show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are”? Well Trump is supported by classic establishment Republicans, Bob Dole and Trent Lott, (you know, the guy who begged forgiveness for speaking his mind and who stopped the forwarding of witnesses against Bill Clinton after the impeachment that allowed Clinton to stay in office. This gave Bill time to become popular again and is the reason why we now have his lying incompetent wife running for the presidency.)
When in Trump’s past has he fought for the second amendment or against amnesty? He admitted to having New York values. And most of all, he never tells you how he will do all those wonderful things he proposes that has all his followers in a trance. He knows this and it is why he will never debate Cruz. Cruz will ask him how he will have Mexico pay for the wall, how he will send back 15 million illegal’s, how he will keep all Muslims out, and how it would be economically feasible to put a 45 percent tariff on Chinese made goods.
This whole campaign for him is “the art of the deal” (the name of his book). He is exactly what we cannot afford this time in our history.
Dennis W Evans
Berlin
Reflecting On History During February
Editor:
We cannot tell the story of our nation without telling the story of how African Americans have helped shape it. African-American history is interwoven within the history of our country, unfolding across the tapestry of America from the port cities where our ancestors disembarked as slaves to the battlefields, past and present, where we continue to spill our blood in the fight for freedom. African-American service members have long demonstrated great courage and honor, despite fighting two battles: one against the enemy and the other against the restrictive, segregated systems in the military and at home.
Yet African Americans in the armed forces overcame great prejudice, racism, and hardships to serve with distinction. Consider Crispus Attucks, the son of a slave who worked as a dockworker and was killed in 1770, the first casualty of the Revolutionary War; and Lewis Martin, a free black man who served in the Army during the Civil War, losing an arm and leg to wounds sustained in battle. Consider the more than 350,000 African Americans who served in World War I and the famous African-American units of WWII, such as the Tuskegee Airmen, the only escort fighters during WWII that never lost a bomber; the 761st Tank Battalion; and the 452nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, proving their value in combat and leading the way for a desegregated military. Consider Carl Brashear, the son of Kentucky sharecroppers, who in 1970 became the Navy’s first African-American master diver, achieving that distinction despite an amputated left leg.
Consider the first Medal of Honor presented to a living African-American soldier in 1967 when then President Lyndon Johnson honored Army Specialist Five Lawrence Joel for “a special kind of courage – the unarmed heroism of compassion and service to others.” Joel, a medic, saved the lives of U.S. troops under ambush in Vietnam and defied direct orders to stay on the ground, instead walking through Viet Cong gunfire to tend to troops. He was shot twice in the process. A year later, Army Captain Leroy Pitts became the first African-American commissioned officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
The simple truth is this: African Americans have participated in every war or conflict fought within or by the U.S., and no doubt, many unsung heroes exist, their stories lost to history because they weren’t valued enough. Others who’ve served in the military include Harry Belafonte, a singer and social activist; United States Naval Academy Class of 1987 and NBA legend David Robinson; hip-hop powerhouse MC Hammer; talk show host Montel Williams; reggae singer Shaggy; actors James Earl Jones, Ice-T, and Mr. T; and comedian Sinbad, among many others. Military service is a hallmark of African-American history.
As a 35-year Navy Veteran and the Navy’s first African-American Surgeon General, I’m proud of the contributions of African Americans to our great nation. Also, I understand the sacrifice all service members and their families make, the solemn oath they took, and the selfless service they gave to protect our nation and our people. As the Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, I’m committed to ensuring that Maryland’s Veterans receive the patient and family centered care they earned and deserve, and I’m proud to be able to continue to serve the men and women who wore the cloth of the nation.
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., M.D.
(The writer is the director of VA Maryland Health Care System.)
Berlin Electric Sought Cost Recovery
Editor:
It had been reported by The Dispatch that the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) had revealed the Berlin Electric Co. (BEC) would be charged with recovering $435,876 in power cost at the Dec. 8 PSC hearing.
I would like to point out that this statement is inaccurate. The PSC does not issue or provide notification of supplier penalty. Berlin Electric actually provided this information to the PSC.
The BEC/PSC hearing was an annual review, an evidentiary hearing required by the Md. Public Utilities Code Ann. § 4-402(d). – Evidentiary hearing required. At least once every 12 months, the Commission shall conduct a public evidentiary hearing on any changes in costs that a company directly passes on to its customers under this section.
To clarify: In this annual review the provider, Berlin Electric, presents testimony to the fuel rate adjustment/ purchased power cost adjustment it passes through to customers. Corrective action to rectify under or over recovery of cost is a component of this review.
Included in testimony presented on behalf of Berlin Electric was a report that the BEC request for power cost recovery would include $435,876 — the sum of two amounts covering a February 2015 Peak Event and also a failure to generate during one of five PJM Peaks events. The report was provided in the pre-filed testimony of Steven Miller, Financial Consultant-Strategic Planning and Financial Services with Booth and Associates, representing Berlin/Berlin Electric.
Regardless of the mayor’s comment to closed session, all related information is public and can be found on the PSC website.
Jason Walter
AGH Care Applauded
Editor:
(The following letter was sent to Atlantic General Hospital President/CEO Michael Franklin.)
I want to express my sincerest gratitude for the excellent care that you and your staff at Atlantic General provided to my husband, Bill Hall. He was well taken care of both times that he was admitted in the past two months. I am beyond impressed with how well you take care of your patients and their families, even on the most busiest of holidays. Please continue to do such wonderful work!
Lisa Hall
Berlin
Editor:
As a member of the Ocean City Paramedics Foundation (OCPF), it was my honor to be invited to the recent Ocean City Fire Department 3rd Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony at the 66th St. Holiday Inn.
Deputy Chief Chuck Barton said in his opening remarks, “Our members go above and beyond the call of duty to make our department consistently the best…”
It’s a family event and you could feel the pride for these men and women as they gathered, clapped and cheered for the award winners. Of course, you could say that all who wear the uniform are winners.
As a member of the OCPF I was especially proud to watch as Lt. Nicholas L. Kinhart received the award as Fire/EMS Paramedic of the Year. We on the Board are pleased to be able to assist our paramedics. We like to say that we are serving those who serve us (residents and visitors alike).
It was heartening to see our elected officials present proclamations for the men and women who daily go to work not really knowing what to expect. Chief Barton commented that, “those in fire service don’t do it for the recognition.”
But I’ve got to tell you it felt good to give them just that.
Congratulations to all. I look forward to next year.
Nancy L. Howard
Ocean City
(The writer is the secretary of the Ocean City Paramedics Foundation.)
Honored To Serve Shore
Editor:
It is a great honor to serve as Board President for United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. In this role, I continue to witness the selfless generosity among individuals and organizations in our community who support United Way’s mission to improve the lives of the most vulnerable on the Shore. What we achieve together is nothing short of amazing!
Our United Way currently touches the lives of one in three people. It is the largest non-governmental source of funding for 62 critical programs in the four Lower Eastern Shore Counties in Maryland. Last year, your United Way impacted 76,000 local people, giving them the tools they need to build a better life and hope for a brighter, secure future. When you give, you can count on the responsible stewardship of your contribution to help the most people, in the most impactful way possible. Did you know that 100% of each contribution stays local? The local United Way Community Impact Committee spends over 800 volunteer hours each year vetting the programs in which you invest. From youth and elderly issues to transportation and health care, these volunteers scrutinize agency budgets and programs to ensure all contributions will have the greatest impact.
Currently, we are in the final stages of this year’s campaign, and I encourage all readers to consider helping by making a contribution. I also encourage all local businesses to consider a workplace campaign to allow employees to donate through payroll deduction. When you give to our local United Way, you are building a healthier community; you are helping troubled teens uncover their full potential; you are easing the burdens of individuals struggling with life’s unexpected challenges. I strongly urge those in our community to join our “United Way Family,” and experience first-hand what it means to LIVE UNITED.
For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.unitedway4us.org.
Cathie Thomas
Salisbury
(The writer is the president of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Board.)