Libraries need to adapt to thrive

Earlier this year, the Baltimore County Public Library unveiled an innovative way to keep people interested in libraries. Storyville, a hands-on learning opportunity for young children, has been open at BCPL’s Rosedale branch. This free service -- funded with donations collected by the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library --offers children in the Baltimore area a chance to explore reading through interactive exhibits featured in a unique townscape.

Creating interactive destination venues like Storyville is an excellent way for libraries to prepare our young people for school, as well as to help start them down the road to lifelong learning.

Jeffrey Smith

Treasurer and board member

Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library

Nottingham

Unions burden taxpayers and businesses

The July 9 letter, “Unions have solutions to economic problems,” cannot go unchallenged. I am a former union president of the now defunct Baltimore News American. I can say that it is the unrealistic demands of unions that are causing the demise of this business and others in the Baltimore area. When workers would make demands for higher wages, I would simply ask, “What have you done to increase circulation to justify your demands?” They always had the same response: “Because I deserve it and I need more money.”

The author of the letter seems to think Davis-Bacon created a good living for him as a union worker. He implies that unions are the only ones supplying skilled labor. As a private-sector employee, I could not disagree more. I hire electricians, plumbers and carpenters every day to do the same type of work unions do. These jobs are very well paid and workers have luxuries most people cannot afford. They are paid less than union members and are eager for the work. Unions have all kinds of ridiculous clauses that cause jobs to go on forever and cost the taxpayers more than they should.

J. Michael Collins

Reisterstown

Wild horses deserve protection, not slaughter

The proposal to kill wild horses in an attempt to save a few dollars by the Bureau of Land Management is disgusting, heartless and revolting. (“Proposal to euthanize wild horses spurs debate,” July 7)

There is a misguided sentiment that the only way to address growing horse populations is to kill them.

As a leading voice for animals, the Animal Welfare Institute has worked hard to dispel the notion of the “unwanted horse.” To this end, we have established “Project Wanted Horse” to find safe homes for horses whose owners no longer have the means or desire to care for them.

The BLM should take a lesson from the success of this program for domesticated horses. They should consider options that would preserve the lives of these majestic wild animals. Wild horses are the true spirit of the American West. They are independent, strong and can survive and thrive on their own.

As they did 37 years ago with the unanimous passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, Congress and the American public must once again ride to the rescue of the wild horse before it is too late.

Chris Heyde

Deputy director of government and legal affairs

Animal Welfare Institute

Washington

Examiner overlooks those who serve and protect

The Examiner’s position on government employee pension benefits is very disappointing. (“Pensions are ticking time bomb,” July 9) Perhaps The Examiner has overlooked those that protect them. Most of us are forced to sacrifice time with our families in order to work part-time jobs, overtime or both just to make ends meet. When I am fighting a fire and my face is blistering from the heat, when a policeman is being shot at or when a paramedic is being spit on by a drug addict in an alley, it is good to know that The Examiner is screaming that “our government employees are getting too much money when they retire.” After 30 years in the bowels of the city, all we leave with is a small pension and the scars to go along with it. Thanks for the gratitude.

Thomas D. Bower

Abingdon

Government employees work hard for pensions

So you want to balance local government’s budgets on the backs of its employees? (“Pensions are ticking time bomb,” July 9) That’s fine by me. Provide the 10 percent historical average market interest on my pension fund for the past 24 years and I’ll happily walk with it. After all, I am still not allowed to direct my pension investment money as the 401(k) self-directed programs allow. At this late date it wouldn’t be worth it to try. When you work for 25 to 30 years for a local government “peanut” wage in order to secure a promised pension, you might have something to say that is worth listening to.

John Lewis

Baltimore

Community volunteers and donations in decline

The July 4 article, “Fourth of July parade costs marching higher,” stated that Fourth of July committees were experiencing a difficult time raising money for their parades, fireworks, etc. In this day of skyrocketing prices, it is no wonder that this is an issue.

For many years, I went door-to-door in Catonsville collecting money with my Fourth of July cylinder box while handing out programs. The last time I did it, I collected $600. But no longer are door-to-door collections being made. I do not believe that people who donate checks to a person they know put that much money in collection boxes.

Years ago, a Mr. Medicus had a list of all the streets in Catonsville. Volunteers went to his flower shops and signed up to collect on streets near their homes. Are there no more people like Mr. Medicus?

Margaret Milleker

Baltimore

Naval education is a choice

The author of the July 9 letter, “Midshipmen must stand up for what they believe,” doesn’t seem to realize that those who attend the Naval Academy are there because they requested to be there. Furthermore, their fare is paid by the taxpayers. If they disagree with the Navy’s traditions and rules, they are not obligated to remain there. If they don’t agree, they should not be allowed to become officers in our Navy! As for standing up for what they believe; why are they choosing to remain anonymous? The Constitution declared that we have a right to face our accusers. So why are they hiding behind the ACLU? As we used to say in the Army: “Shape up or ship out.”

Bob Gardenghi

Catonsville

Midshipmen know the rules

Why do we always miss the most important issues when people try to change history or time-honored traditions? (“Naval Academy’s mandatory lunch time prayer under fire,” June 26) To those who protest the prayer: It is your point of view and you are entitled to it. But I do not recall anyone forcing midshipmen to apply to an institution of higher education, which happens to be free, that is well known for its beliefs, training and traditions. No one makes them go there, and I am sure the midshipmen knew of these things beforehand.

Joe Hess II

Abingdon

Editorial unfairly slammed Obama

I am not sure what the July editorial has to do with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill). (“Memo to Obama: Don’t bring Chicago to office”) The editorial seems like an attempt by The Examiner to smear him by innuendo.

He co-sponsored a bill to do something about Chicago’s dreadful public housing projects. Six of his alleged friends were recipients of contracts that enabled them to do something about the bad housing. Nowhere did The Examiner write that he was responsible for making sure developers did quality work. Why don’t you write the next editorial on the shortcomings of No Child Left Behind with the subsequent blame assigned to President George Bush?

Barry Williams

Owings Mills

Offshore drilling won’t lower gas prices

Offshore drilling is not the answer. (“Companies begin quest for oil, gas off Fla. coast,” July 5) It will only make the oil barons richer. Oil companies boasted billions of dollars of profit and yet we are paying over $4 per gallon. Congress needs to put a cap on their profit margin. Offshore drilling will help to give oil companies oil at a lower price, but they won’t pass some of their profit to the people. They would have already done that if they intended to instead of reinvesting it like they did.

Linda Napier

Halethorpe