Enough droning on about drones

It is entertaining to see all of the coverage of mysterious drones flying around the area. Speculation and conspiracy theories balloon (no pun intended). If there is something nefarious, why are they flying with lights on? Is it aliens? Russians? The “deep state” (“Is that a drone or a plane? Experts help explain the differences,” Dec. 17)?

Don’t they know they can be seen? Perhaps it is a social phenomenon: Someone flies a drone and a news story ensues: “What is it? What does it mean? We demand answers! Shoot them down!”

Perhaps some kids think that creating a national panic could be fun. Do you think a few jokers decided to fly some drones at night and laugh at the paranoia? Is it a prank? Is Santa testing a new gift delivery system? Will we ever know?

— Larry Williams, Towson

Photo of the year: Trump surviving assassination attempt

I am shocked and dismayed that an insert to The Baltimore Sun called “2024 Photos of the Year” did not include the iconic photo of Donald Trump right after his assassination attempt in July (“Task force probing attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreigners,” Dec. 10).

If that doesn’t qualify for a photo of the year, I don’t know what does.

— Robert Frazier, Annapolis

Interim county executive must prioritize education

The search for a new Baltimore County executive is underway and it comes amid an uncertain federal landscape and state budget concerns. As we face new challenges in funding public education, our choice of leader is crucial (“5 Baltimore County executive candidates tell council why they’re best pick for the job,” Dec. 17).

We need a leader committed to advocating for our children and ensuring they have the best education possible. We need a leader who understands how crucial it is for students to have an environment where educators want to stay and grow their careers.

But selecting a new county executive is just the beginning. We need someone who will roll up their sleeves and partner with us to tackle these challenges head-on. The future of our students, educators and county depends on it.

Since my tenure as president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, I’ve championed one clear mission: recruiting and retaining passionate educators. Our children deserve the very best — dedicated educators who are eager to inspire and support them every day.

As we approach the second year of our three-year agreement designed to attract and keep top-tier educators, it’s crucial that agreed-to commitments are honored. That is why the union sent an open letter last week urging whoever takes this role to uphold our agreements and make the tough decisions required to ensure our educational system thrives. Every choice should prioritize what is best for our students.

Educators are no strangers to challenges; we are resilient and ready to face them. We know our elected officials share this courage to act boldly in difficult times. Let’s unite in our mission to deliver a world-class education to each and every child in Baltimore County.

— Cindy L. Sexton, Towson

The writer is president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.