Pedestrians, like drivers have rules they need to follow. We must remember that we're not on this road alone. Let's be courteous and act mature and responsible - everyone, not just drivers but pedestrians and follow the rules of safety.
Helen Willis
Hagerstown
Feral cat colonies need not do harm to our songbirds
To the editor:
I applaud The Herald-Mail for providing readers with another perspective to animal welfare, in the articles "Everyday angels" and "A new way to manage feral cat colonies."
The subject was well timed for Humane Society's Prevent a Litter Month and Doris Day Animal League's Spay Day. While where will always be varying opinions on the humane treatment of animals by far the single most important issue we need to acknowledge is the fact that literally millions of animals are being destroyed in the United States each year simply because there are not enough homes.
This is not just a matter of respect for life. The economic impact to taxpayers, animal lovers or not, is significant. Our tax dollars foot the bill to euthanize many of these unwanted animals. The money could be better spent.
As a no-kill animal welfare organization many people feel that we would be at odds with others in the humane community with differing opinions. On the contrary we are building a bridge that links the common goals we share. Ultimately, providing a compassionate environment for all life is the mutual concern that is shared by any descent person.
Karen Myers is not alone in her concern for these cats. I read that a survey found there are as many as 17 million people feeding stray and feral cats. National groups like Alley Cat Allies, Doris Day Animal League, American Humane Association, Tufts University, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and regional groups like Paws (Seattle, Wash,), San Francisco SPCA, Naponset Valley Humane Society and many other groups are fostering those effects.
A managed colony curbs the overpopulation cycle, cuts down on the spread of disease and can control rodent infestation. To those bird lovers like myself, a managed colony reduces the cats need to prey on songbirds. The cat colonies I manage exist along beside my bird sanctuary. They are both thriving.
Spaying and neutering is the solution.
Paul Harrington
Cause for Paws
Why IBEW backs Sager for mayor
To the editor:
The IBEW 307 strongly endorses Steve Sager for Mayor of the City of Hagerstown.
Unlike the county, where water and sewer rates have skyrocketed and concerns of leadership abilities are being highly questioned, Hagerstown's water and sewer rates are among the lowest in the Tri State area, which can be attributed to Mayor Sager's outstanding leadership. As far as electric rates are concerned, Hagerstown's rates are presently 23 percent lower than Allegheny Power's rates and by next year could be closer to 50 percent cheaper, which would make electric costs in the city one of the lowest on the East Coast of the United States, with service second to none.
And let us not forget the construction of Wesel Boulevard, Eastern Boulevard, the fire station and many other projects, while at the same time maintaining an overall level tax rate during Steve's 12-year tenure as mayor.
At this same time, we would also like to announce our endorsement of Lewis Metzner, Susan Saum-Wicklein, and William Breichner for the Hagerstown Council.
We believe that you must look at the results of the focused and dedicated service that all these individuals have given to the city.
We feel this knowledgeable leadership needs to continue so that the city will remain prosperous for years to come.
John Renner
Chairman
Local 307 IBEW
When did murder stop being counted as a violent crime?
To the editor:
Do you wonder why your readers sometimes question the credibility of newspaper headlines? If so, consider this:
The Baltimore Sun of April 15, 1997, carried this headline in bold type, "Violent Crime Keeps Falling." Paragraph nine of the 24 paragraph story that followed said:
"Clinton said in a written statement that the statistics, which covered the first full year of his Crime Act of 1994, reflect the largest drop in violent crime in 22 years. He credited the Act."
The last sentence in paragraph 21 of this story said "The survey excludes murder, because officials cannot question the victims."
Your readers must surely wonder, when and how did murder cease to be a violent crime?
John Hamilton
Columbia, Md.
