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Guest Contributor
Guest Contributor's Latest Posts
OPINION: Back to class-a prudent risk
“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding all danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively.” Niccolo Machiavelli Anne Arundel kids are headed back to classrooms in November. That’s a win for children, parents, and science over the teacher’s union, the Pittman administration, and politics. It should’ve happened in […]
LETTER: County needs to relax payment deadlines for property tax
The timely mail-in payment of county residents’ property tax bills during the COVID-19 pandemic has become more difficult. County residents are being told by the county billing office that payments not received by one of the county cashiers by September 30 will be “delinquent on October 1,” and that “Anne Arundel County cannot be responsible for delays […]
LETTER: Let’s keep pedestrians safe
Maryland has averaged more than 500 traffic fatalities annually over the past five years, and despite reduced traffic volumes during the past six months due to the COVID-19 emergency, fatalities on our roadways have increased compared to 2019. Maryland also has experienced several pedestrian deaths recently, and over the same five years the state averaged […]
OPINION: Connecting the dots with COVID-19
“Without context, a piece of information is just a dot. It floats in your brain with a lot of other dots and doesn’t mean a damn thing. Knowledge is information in context… connecting the dots.” Michael Ventura We are presented with COVID-19 information dots daily. Unfortunately, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are presented without context. Connecting […]
OPINION: Pittman’s Political Science
I’m County Exec Stu Pittman, forget real science My political science is where I put my reliance It may not make sense, it may even be stupid, man But you better obey because I’m Stu Pittman. Covid Death rates are low, hospitalizations are too But my political science dictates fear and restrictions anew So […]
OPINION: Defund Gardasil in Maryland now
NOTE: If you have an opinion and want to jump in the conversation, here’s a link to the discussion on Facebook Human papillomavirus (“HPV”) will infect about 90% of Marylanders. It is usually harmless and self clearing. Very rarely, undiagnosed and untreated infections may lead to cervical cancer. The Baltimore Sun reported in 1990: From […]
LETTER: An open letter to Board of Education and Dr. Arlotto
Dear Superintendent Arlotto, Members of the Board of Education, and others, Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, children from families with economic disadvantages have lacked the resources needed to participate in online learning with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. As stated in the Capital Newspaper “The absence of about 3,500 students from online learning […]
OPINION: Questions for Authority
“The first duty of every citizen is to question authority.” Ben Franklin Close your eyes, and imagine a state of 6,000,000 people, with a booming economy and education system. Suddenly, a disease appears, and kills 2,474, less than half a per cent of the population, over 3 months. Of the 2,474 dead, 2,133 (86% ) […]
LETTER: A reminder about leash laws in our county parks
As a runner and walker, I frequently use our wonderful Anne Arundel County parks for exercise. Often I encounter a walker out with a dog which is not on a leash — contrary to the law in our county. Dog owners have dog parks that they can use if they want to let Fido run […]
LETTER: Naval Academy Class of 2020 is prepared to lead, eager to serve
To every individual who has supported and inspired us along this incredible four year journey, thank you. The United States Naval Academy Class of 2020 has persevered, triumphed, grieved, and supported one another through some of the most exciting and challenging times of our lives thus far. Each of our paths along this journey has […]
LETTER: Wes Adams–Why I am running for Circuit Court judge
My name is Wes Adams and I am running for Circuit Court Judge because of my unwavering commitment to serve the citizens of Anne Arundel County. As your State’s Attorney, I built a record of success in reducing crime, rehabilitating people and empowering youth to make better choices – a proven set of values that […]
OPINION: Data shows Anne Arundel County should reopen
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman says we need to move more slowly than the rest of Maryland in reopening. Does the data support this? There are 139 Anne Arundel COVID-19 deaths as of May 20. Let’s look at those 139 Anne Arundel County deaths. Not one person under age 40 has died. 3 people […]
LETTER: Sometimes, it takes a crisis to drive technological innovation.
Sometimes, it takes a crisis to drive technological innovation. We saw this during the Y2K scare. Fears that our computers would stop working in the year 2000 led to a massive effort to rewrite software. Along the way, other bugs were discovered, large sections of code were rewritten more efficiently, and we benefited from a […]
LETTER: Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) leaves restaurant owners digging in the dumpster
While certainly well intentioned, The PPP portion of the recently passed CARES Act, intended to be the lifeline for small businesses across the country, in reality does little to help the restaurant sector. Designed to offer short-term relief, keep employees on the payroll, pay rent and interest on bank notes and keep utility bills current, […]
LETTER: Hospice to volunteers–THANK YOU!
Every year, during Volunteer Appreciation Week, we celebrate those in our communities who Volunteer their time. This year we do so nationally, April 19 to 25. None of us could have anticipated that this year “celebrating together” wouldn’t be possible in person. Sadly, on one hand, in-person visits made by Hospice of the Chesapeake Volunteers […]
LETTER: Prosecutorial excess…Who will guard the guardians?
In January of 2013, Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold was found guilty of “misconduct in office” for forcing a staffer to empty his hospital catheter bag after he’d undergone back surgery. From the beginning he has denied the charge, arguing that had his medical records been introduced into evidence at trial they would have […]
LETTER: Leash laws are in place for a reason
As a runner and walker, I frequently use our wonderful Anne Arundel County parks for exercise. Often I encounter a walker out with a dog which is not on a leash — contrary to the law in our county. Dog owners have dog parks that they can use if they want to let Fido run […]
LETTER: It’s time for the City to manage and operate the “DNR Docks” at City Dock
For the first time in over 50 years the City of Annapolis has a thoroughly professional Harbormaster and Staff. Harbormaster Beth Bellis has grown the once rag-tag outfit Annapolis Harbormaster’s office into a well trained professional unit with responsibilities including (but not limited to): Safety, Training, Law Enforcement, Education, Fiscal Management, Tourism, Recreation, and Environment. […]
LETTER: Some Animals are More Equal Than Others
A Lawmaker, who is a Delegate from Prince Georges County, is renting a house on our street for 91 days. She has obtained an annual residential parking permit despite the law requiring primary residency of more than 180 days to get a parking permit. How did she obtain the parking pass? Mayor Buckley’s staff granted […]
Letter: Proposed development at Saltworks Creek will destroy neighborhood and environment
On December 13, 2019, two days before the new Forest Conservation Law went into effect, Monticello Property Group LLC a subsidiary of Hogan Cos, filed a special exception to change zoning on 47 acres of R-1 residential land, to develop a 4 story 16 bed assisted living center with 76 individual villas. The proposal submitted […]
OPINION: HPV vaccine incentive payments need to stop.
The Maryland Prevention and Health Promotion Agency (PHPA) has received millions — $123 million just between 2012–2017 — as part of an effort to require public schools to force children to get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. Those funds came in the form of grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). […]
4th Graders at Monsignor Slade invite alumna Senator Pam Beidle to return for a tour
Fourth grade students at Monsignor Slade Catholic School have been studying Maryland’s state government and the history of Maryland from colonial times until the U.S. entry into World War II. Prior to a recent Annapolis field trip, social studies teacher Mrs. Benitez encouraged her students to write letters to Maryland Senator Pamela Beidle (District 32). Senator Beidle is an alumna of […]
