Bostwick forgets his job duties

The current decision by Baltimore County Deputy Zoning Commissioner Tom Bostwick shows once again how County Executive Jim Smith continues to appoint people who are developer friendly with no regard for the law. (“Legal battle churning over Baltimore County creamery,” Aug. 4) Bostwick had a responsibility to decide one thing: Does the building of a retail store and creamery violate current zoning laws and the state conservation agreement, which was entered into at a cost to the taxpayers of $1.2 million?

The reasoning Bostwick uses to justify his decision is inconsistent with any logic. He states the retail store should be allowed to stay because the county lacks a store to sell organic products. But retail stores are not allowed in conservation zoning and buildings of any kind violate the state easement. If Bostwick would bother to go shopping, he would discover organic products are sold all over the county. His job is to decide zoning issues, not take the responsibility of the food police.

J. Michael Collins

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Reisterstown

Smith and other Dems block energy solutions

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith decided to appeal the liquefied natural gas pipeline case to the Supreme Court. (“County to appeal LNG ruling to Supreme Court,” Aug. 2) In a recent interview he is quoted as saying, “I’m disappointed that our federal energy policy is to be reliant on foreign sources of fuel, this is what this LNG project would do.” Has he been living in a cave? For months, the Democrats have blocked every effort to drill offshore of our coastline and Alaska. There is no federal energy policy at the present time because Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid won’t allow a vote on the matter. If Mr. Smith plans to run with Gov. Martin O’Malley in the next election, he will have to be in lockstep with the governor and his Democratic counterparts in Washington. Wondering why we are dependent on foreign oil and natural gas? Think about it.

David Ledford

Fallston

Little Italy is not a ‘theme park’

I read with interest Tom Moore’s July 30 commentary, “Live entertainment panel makes sense for Baltimore.” I am a resident of Little Italy, which he cites for his argument. I am not writing in opposition to any panel. But I take exception with Mr. Moore’s portrayal of the particular situation regarding Vellegia’s and the residents in opposition. One would assume after reading his article that we are basically philistines who cringe at the thought of any expansion of the arts in Baltimore.

However, he is either ignorant of, or unwilling to convey all of the circumstances surrounding the issues of this particular license. Specifically, upon assuming control of Vellegia’s, one of Terry Coffman’s first acts was to throw an all-night rave party. This culminated with his drunken patrons roaming the streets in the early hours of the morning where they screamed, fought, urinated and generally scared the residents out of their wits. Since that time, Mr. Coffman has been cited for serving alcohol to minors. What Mr. Moore doesn’t  understand is that we actually live here. This is not a theme park! Let’s not confuse the issue. Our grievance is with Mr. Coffman’s mismanagement of what was a venerable family restaurant. It is not with other restaurants in the neighborhood that close at 11 p.m. Mr. Coffman does not want a piano bar or a cabaret. He wants a nightclub with the option to stay open after hours.

Michael Salconi

President, Little Italy

Community Organization

Baltimore

Columbia needs to think big

I have lived in the village of Wilde Lake for over 36 years and am a member of Bring Back the Vision. I am writing for two reasons related to the efforts of General Growth Properties to make Columbia into the city that it is supposed to be. (“Symphony Overlook: Where the new Columbia downtown meets culture,” Aug. 3)

First, I would like to applaud GGP for its commitment and efforts regarding Town Center.

Second, and probably quite predictably, I would like to express my serious concern about the way the Board of Directors of the Columbia Association is approaching this opportunity regarding not only Symphony Woods, but also the whole Town Center effort in general.

I think that each member of the board owes it to the community to be positive about enabling the vision for Columbia to become a reality, rather than drawing lines in the sand at this point and saying what can’t happen. 

George Barker

Columbia