All of the negative campaigning surely backfired in these elections. As of now, extreme liberalism is only a painful memory. Democrats all over the country are crying, "The country voted Republican." No, the country and our county voted for economic accountability, homeland security and tax reform.
Maryglenn Emerson-Bare
Hagerstown
No stadium for North High
To the editor:
I object to the proposed stadium at the North Hagerstown High School for these reasons:
First, North Hagerstown High School is the final step in the taxpayer-financed effort dedicated to the improvement and organization of the individual student's thinking process and knowledge to facilitate his or her entry into world competition.
Second, local employers complain that the graduates of our public education institutions cannot spell, write or know enough to be worth employing.
Third, the parents of the attending students complain daily that insufficient time and money is expended toward the fundamental purposes of the school.
Fourth, the classroom teachers and the other professional personnel hired by the taxpayer have historically attested that insufficient money presently restricts the proper curriculum and salary levels.
The stabilizing purpose and the public hearings of the planning and zoning boards are intended to defend private property investment from senseless or emotional destruction. Recognizing that certain children must seek athletic success since academic success is beyond their capability, does not justify the bastardization of the academic pursuit in favor of the athletic pursuit. Forcing a disinterested party to attend educational classes for 12 years will not produce an educated party.
Normal children are interested in sports for fun. They are easily organized into teams. Kenneth Ridenour started the Hagerstown Little League under the Hagerstown Boys Club. There were no parents, no bleachers, no snack shack, no fencing, no uniforms or such amenities. The organization was directed to the children's interest. The children had fun!
An athletic arena can only cause further deterioration of the fundamental purposes of the school and further increase the monetary expense while creating student and teacher distraction. The student body will be subject to even more diversity as "sides" favoring this or that athletic individual are established. The costs of specialized personnel, team dressing and shower rooms, uniforms, plumbing, transportation, security personnel, medical personnel, lighting, facility and ground maintenance, legal problems, etc.. must be a part of the budget and paid by the taxpayer.
Noise, late hours, stadium lights, vehicular traffic, parking, foul language and rowdiness disturb the peace enjoyed by the finest residential area of Western Maryland. Much has been done over the past century to assure peace and quiet. This work must continue.
Athletics for the student does not require an arena, parental guidance, food stands, bleachers or parking areas - or money and tickets. The individual child must be defended from the interferences and abuse and unhappiness broadcast by partisan and prejudiced parents and adults. It does not require a school or taxpayers' money.
It does require a few mature and sympathetic persons of superior character who understand the fleeting years and the "peer pressures" of youth.
Joseph H. Walker
Hagerstown
Clinton to blame for Dems' losses
To the editor:
During this election we discovered, without a doubt, that the Clintons control the Democratic National Committee. They handpicked Terry McAuliffe to head the DNC. Their hand was noticeable in almost every key race around the nation.
