Thumbs up, thumbs down

January 23, 1998

To Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening, for his commitment of $13.5 million to upgrade the Interstate 81 intercharge at Halfway Boulevard. The economic benefits will be tremendous.

To Rosemary Burtner, who taught for 45 years in the Washington County schools, touching the lives of countless local youngsters with her caring nature and her exuberant attitude toward life and all that can be learned.

To James Michael Borum, a 25-year-old Hagerstown man who stole more than $20,000 in jewelry from his own grandmother. To steal from strangers is one thing, but from family?

To Ted Kaczynski, for accepting a plea bargain to spare him the death penalty for his activities as the Unabomber. No such mercy was extended to his victims' families, who at least deserved to see him squirm in court.

To Hagerstown Junior College, which has decided to freeze tuition for in-county students for the first time in more than 10 years. A group of grateful students says thanks.

To Washington County school officials, for proposing that when wintry weather hits the mountainous Cascade area, elementary officials be allowed to delay the start of classes. After years of seeking a solution, this seems like a winner.

To Paul Weiss, an attorney for Martin & Seibert of Martinsburg, W. Va., for donating his time to defend a man arrested after a peaceful protest of Washington County's hiring policy.

To Allyson Orndorff, a 12-year-old Martinsburg, W.Va. girl whose essay on violence won statewide honors in the Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. She credits Joan Johnson, her teacher, for encouraging her.

To Philip Mummert, a Chambersburg. Pa. High School senior who got a perfect score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. He was milking cows on the family farm when he got the news.

To the Federal Aviation Administration, for threatening Washington County Regional Airport's funding over something as inconsequential as skydiving. If the divers need some place to land, let them rent a field.

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