Asking or requiring?

I do like how Gov. Moore says that he will “ask” high earners to “contribute more.”

Asking implies that one could say no. Will that be possible or will it be the usual compulsory “contribution” as most taxes are?

Other than that, the overall tax revision plan seems to be reasonable. But will the legislature go along?

— David Posner, Reisterstown

More public input needed

Harford County Council held a hearing Jan. 14 on a bill that would expand the blasting zone at the Vulcan Quarry in Havre de Grace.

If approved on Jan. 21, Vulcan will be allowed to expand it’s blasting zone.

They are now required to keep the operations 1,500 feet from residential property.

Many residents are fearful that the regular shock waves could already be damaging foundations, gas lines and geo-thermal systems.

Coming 500 feet closer is making many feel very uncomfortable.

The hearing occurred with zero public input. The only notice is on the county website.

This official public notice is woefully inadequate and I find it disappointing that an act of such significance did not solicit the input of the public.

Our council members and legislators should do a better job of informing the public especially in cases that could affect the condition of public utilities and public safety.

It you read this in time, please consider calling your council members and ask them to table this plan until a proper evaluation can be made and public input given.

— Al Peteraf, Havre de Grace

Parents, not the school system, should be held more accountable

When I sent my child to school in the 1990s and 2000s, I didn’t expect the Baltimore County school system to feed my child, give my child medicine, teach my child right from wrong, teach my child to make good moral decisions, teach my child compassion, love, tolerance, empathy. Those are lessons that should be taught by parents in my opinion.

I expected the BCPS to teach my child how to read, history, writing, science, math, etc.

I never expected BCPS to be a parent to my child, that was my responsibility. I am responsible for bringing that child into this world and to a large extent the kind of person they turn into as an adult.

I do not understand Councilmember Mark Conway asking the BCPS to “create a report identifying root causes and solutions to chronic absenteeism.”

I would think that would be Social Services task or for the City Council to hire an advisor to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism, not the school system.

The school’s system’s role should be to teach our children.

The school system is already underfunded and understaffed, already deals with disrespectful, disruptive, sometimes violent students, students with mental health issues, students with physical limitations, how much more burden can we put on the school system, teachers in particular, to fix what is wrong?

I am curious why parents are not held accountable when their children don’t show up to school?

The parents had sex, the parents brought these kids into the world. It is not the school system’s responsibility to ensure the students have “a better chance for success in the classroom and in life,” that is the parents’ responsibility. It is the school system’s responsibility to teach children to read & write, do math, operate a computer or learn a skill.

— Andrew Kelly, Sparks Glencoe

From dislike to delight: My view of Dan Rodricks

My early impression of Dan Rodricks was dislike. As time went on and the years rolled by I changed my view of him.

Having grown up a newspaper “junkie” from New York, exposed to the great columnists like Pete Hamill, Jimmy Wechsler, Jimmy Breslin, etc., I was spoiled and smug by their brilliance, nuance and creativity.

So, I believe Dan has approached those accolades and I continue to be saddened by the loss of someone, “a columnist,” who became an intimate stranger telling us stories.

Tight lines to you, Dan!

— Stuart Tiegel, Havre de Grace