Baltimore can’t afford to sit on opioid settlement money

Montgomery County has created a residential treatment center for young people afflicted with opioid addiction. This is a new facility for the county.

What does Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott decide? He’s giving relatively small grants to nonprofits, which have already failed to bring down the highest per capita level of opioid abuse in the country (“Opioid settlements: Public engagement, oversight crucial next steps,” Sept. 12).

The Baltimore City Health Department has been racked by poor leadership since Dr. Leana Wen left as commissioner. I haven’t seen any reporting that Mayor Scott will provide sufficient resources to the department.

The Baltimore Sun should look beyond the press releases about the huge pile of money the city is receiving and identify more creative ways to ameliorate the opioid crisis in Baltimore.

— Winnie Borden, Baltimore

Sharp criticism over Bronze Star claim is on point

Armstrong Williams misleads when he says Gov. Wes Moore’s lying about having a Bronze Star on a White House Fellowship application is a flea “magnified into an elephant” and a product of “youthful misjudgment” (“Armstrong Williams: In praise of Gov. Wes Moore,” Sept. 3).

My wife was a national finalist for the fellowship and went through a very competitive process. From many applicants, former fellows select 100 regional finalists who are interviewed in groups of eight to 10 by prominent local citizens for one evening and a day. Then, 30 national finalists undergo comprehensive background investigations for security clearances and three evenings and two days of interviews with commissioners who interact with and observe them. Eventually, 11 to 19 are chosen.

It is unbelievable that Moore never mentioned his Bronze Star or was not asked about it during this lengthy process.

— Robin Ficker, Boyds

The writer was a Republican primary candidate for governor in 2022.

Efficiency review only works with Congress on board

Former President Donald Trump’s stated desire to establish a commission headed by Elon Musk on government efficiency and waste is a great idea, but only if Congress agrees to implement suggested proposals (“Trump economic plan may give Musk sway over rules that govern his companies,” Sept. 6).

One should recall that President Ronald Reagan did exactly that in 1982 with the Grace Commission chaired by businessman J. Peter Grace, CEO of W.R. Grace & Co. The cost control commission made recommendations for significant savings. Unfortunately, they were largely ignored by Congress, which was split between Democratic and Republican control. The commission concluded that a third of income tax revenues were essentially lost due to inefficiency and waste.

It would be enlightening to find out if a “Musk Commission” might reach a similar conclusion regarding wasteful spending of income tax revenues.

It is highly doubtful that Vice President Kamala Harris, if elected president, would propose such a commission since her focus is expected to be on expanding income tax revenues.

— Michael Ernest, Catonsville

Harborplace ballot question is disingenuous

As quoted in The Baltimore Sun, the Harborplace redevelopment ballot question’s language is flatly disingenuous at best because its text lacks the necessary specificity required under Maryland law (“Challenge to Baltimore’s Harborplace ballot question has court hearing set for Monday,” Sept. 13). Any teacher of the English language would note that the text as presented contains only two statements, neither describing what currently exists and what is to be done in the specific text. Citizens can no longer afford hypothetical developments that “sound like a good idea” yet go on to fail for this or that reason. There are too many examples.

— Dolph Druckman, Baltimore

Alsobrook ad has missing info

U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrook’s latest ad claims there is food price gouging, pointing out among other things that eggs are 50% higher than they were four years ago. She neglects to mention this occurred while her Democratic Party occupied the White House and held the U.S. Senate majority. As to the price-gouging allegations, her claim is consistent with the election year theme of Democrats: promises to fix problems that they helped create.

Grocery stores have profit margins of 1 to 3% — hardly price gouging. The cost of food is due to core inflation, contributed to by current fiscal policies. How will Alsobrooks fight this? Price controls as advocated by her presidential candidate Kamala Harris? If so, look forward to hoarding and empty store shelves. The Alsobrook ad should be viewed for what it is — cheap, election-year pandering. Food inflation won’t be resolved until there is a change in fiscal policies, which won’t occur with Alsobrook.

— Robert C Erlandson, Lutherville