Andy is committed to reducing taxes, and focusing on creating an environment to attract and create jobs for the citizens of Washington County.
Make your vote count for something and vote for Andy Serafini.
Tom Newcomer
Hagerstown
Stronger evidence needed to support Donoghue's argument
To the editor:
What a lame case Del. John P. Donoghue presents (Munson supported new barrack, crime lab, Friday, Sept. 3, page A4) to support state Sen. Donald F. Munson on the question of illegal immigration.
Donoghue's main points are that his candidate voted to fund a state police barracks, a crime lab and gang-fighting resources for Western Maryland. Give me a break. These three projects might be fine law enforcement tools in a general sense, but they're certainly not evidence of an anti-illegal immigration stand by a candidate for state Senate.
If funding these three projects is all Donoghue can come up with to make his case for Munson as an anti-illegal immigration candidate, then the attempt is weak and laughable. I have to conclude that Munson doesn't hold any specific anti-illegal immigration views or stand on any specifically targeted anti-illegal immigration policies.
What are the tested and targeted strategies with which the state of Maryland can fight illegal immigration? They include participating in federal programs such as E-Verify, Real ID and 287g, requiring proof of legal residence in order to receive government services, and not funding CASA de Maryland.
Shank is running for Munson's state Senate seat. His campaign literature clearly states that he supports all of the above in fighting illegal immigration. This is a high-stakes election and I don't appreciate the speciousness of Donaghue's argument.
Margie Stickley
Hagerstown
Munson has shown the ability to work with both sides of the aisle
To the editor:
"Putting Washington County First" is the campaign slogan for Brien J. Poffenberger, a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates Subdistrict 2B seat. But it means so much more than a tag line for his election bid. It is a calling for voters to study the candidates and make a sound judgment of who will best represent Washington County and who will fight for funding and protecting all of our county's needs and priorities.
In the primary between state Sen. Donald F. Munson and Del. Christopher B. Shank, "putting Washington County first" is the primary difference between the two candidates. While both have sacrificed and have had the courage to place their names on numerous ballots in an effort to make a difference, only one of the two candidates has actually spent his career working with others for the betterment of our county.
Munson has shown the ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans to ensure funding for the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, ensured funding for the new Maryland State Police barrack, worked to gain additional funding for expansion of Hagerstown Community College and has always been willing to work with the Maryland General Assembly on matters that directly affect the budgets of all Washington County residents.
Shank and Subdistrict 2B candidate Neil Parrott demonstrate through their conservative rhetoric a contempt for Gov. Martin O'Malley and the Democratic-controlled Maryland General Assembly that will not serve the best interests of Washington County residents.
Munson's ability to have an open dialogue with both political parties, his compromising and flexible understanding, and his willingness to make unpopular and difficult decisions make him the best candidate to serve all of the people of Washington County.
Donnie Souders Jr.
Smithsburg
