He is ‘nothing like the man described’ in petition
If someone has an ax to grind, he or she shouldn’t go into the forest to chop down a majestic tree.
I’ve known Rev. Rickey Nelson Jones since I joined the NAACP and have always found him respectful, egalitarian and committed to the mission and values of the organization. The person I’ve come to admire is nothing like the man described in the petition that demands his removal as president.
I think of him as a leader who has studied the guiding principles of the national organization and applies them to local issues.
I’m distressed that someone who has personal issues with him has gone public. I hope this doesn’t tarnish an organization that was founded about 80 years ago by a multiracial group of people dedicated to equity and justice for all.
For every person who signed that petition, there are plenty more who support Rev. Jones and hope he gets through this and continues to lead our branch toward “equality of rights for all persons.”
Carol Smith, Annapolis
Annapolis should emulate visitor-friendly small towns
We recently enjoyed pleasant sightseeing day trips to Sykesville and St. Michaels. We were very happy to find these small historic towns so welcoming to visitors, virtually all of whom drive there.
In both towns there is ample, free parking available on streets and in public parking lots close to shopping, restaurants and points of interest.
St. Michaels is especially attentive to the needs and convenience of visitors, offering multiple free public parking lots off Talbot Street that run the length of the city’s downtown district. In fact, there are no parking meters anywhere in St. Michaels, and never have been!
The town also provides several public restroom locations prominently marked and well-maintained.
Our pleasant experience in these towns contrasts sharply with the disagreeable conditions that visitors encounter in our own “hometown” of Annapolis.
Free parking has all but disappeared, and visitors are now obliged to use a confusing “parking app” for the privilege of spending their money for street parking. As for restrooms, well, there is only one, at the end of the dock. As senior citizens, we especially resent the lack of such amenities downtown.
By some reverse logic, the mayor and city leadership apparently believe they can attract visitors by plundering their pocketbooks and disregarding their “calls of nature.”
Wouldn’t it make more sense to emulate the beneficial visitor-friendly practices of towns like Sykesville and St. Michaels? Maybe locals should head for these wonderful towns that offer events, activities and convenient accommodations for all their residents and guests.
Joe and Judy Smaldone, Arnold
New city parking system ‘stinks’
I just returned from my first trip into Annapolis in quite some time and was surprised to find the new system of paying for parking on Main Street. I’m no technical snob, but I have to say those machines are not very intuitive and could be quite confusing to many.
I had to really take my time to feel confident about following the directions fully and accurately. And then, after asking for a printed receipt, I stood there for another five minutes waiting and waiting and waiting while nothing happened but for a display reading “loading … loading … and more loading.” And finally, nothing but a blank screen. How was I to know that the system had accurately registered my payment?
I know I had experienced the occasional problem with the previous coin meters, but I have to say, I don’t know who is responsible for the replacement of those with this new system, but it stinks.
And then there is the obvious question of where exactly does one park now with no indications of re-marked spaces on the street? I noted some strange too-small-for-a-car openings between parked cars and that would seem to me to be counter-productive to generating the best use of space and income for the city.
Someone made a really silly decision, in my estimation, with this new system.
Terry Miller, Takoma Park
New speaker should support AIDS relief program
House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated he wants to rebuild and restore Americans’ trust in the U.S. House of Representatives. One way to effectively accomplish that is to encourage swift reauthorization of the Emergency AIDS Relief program created by President George W. Bush.
It has provided HIV treatment and preventive services for the past 20years, saving more than 25 million lives around the world.
This is a golden opportunity for the new speaker to demonstrate leadership on an issue that transcends partisan politics and dismiss the disingenuous claims that the AIDS program funds abortions abroad, something that was restricted by federal law (Hyde Amendment) 50years ago.
John R. Leopold, Stoney Beach
Congress must act against mass destruction weapons
Once again a mass murder takes place while Congress dithers about right to life vs. NRA lobbyists. In my USMC years we respected life and the potential for ending it. We also respected weapons and proper use thereof.
Weapons of mass destruction should only be in the hands of the military and law enforcement. All other application is a serious danger to the owners and the community although admittedly one-shot hunting rifles could be a problem but to a greatly lesser degree.
If the Congress doesn’t act sensibly, the carnage will continue and the NRA and their lackies will continue to stash money offshore.
Dave Aland,
State refuses to honor legal disabled protections
The Maryland Judiciary website talks abouts effective fairness justice for all Marylanders but the judiciary from both the Supreme Court and the Appellate Courts have blatantly lied about this and here’s how.
I have clear and convincing documents proving that an elected state’s Aattorney abused the power of his office, used a friendship with a private citizen to bring charges against me yet the attorney general was nowhere to be found.
The state has exploited the fact that I am disabled, which under the law grants me extra legal protections. Yet the state refuses to honor them with the court covering them up. I have documentation supporting my claims, yet nobody wants to hear my claims.
Maryland cares so much about diversity equity and inclusion yet it discriminates against the disabled, think about that
Ken Cunningham, Frederick
