Lottery tickets on phones

Governor Moore has announced he’s in favor sales of alcohol in grocery stores to make it more convenient for shoppers (“Maryland liquor stores fear losses as Gov. Moore backs grocery alcohol sales,” Dec. 23).

Why stop there? Why can I place sports bets on my phone, but I have to go to a physical store to buy lottery tickets? Let’s make that activity convenient, too!

— Andrew Malis, Hunt Valley

Regarding the Maryland liquor store conversation

First, Gov. Moore says Maryland is only one of a few states that don’t let grocery stores sell liquor. So what … that doesn’t make it right. My mother used to say … “are you going to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge if Johnny does it?” Is Maryland going to stop abortions because Texas does? It is obvious that Maryland is anti-small business (actually anti-business … in spite of shallow words by the governor).

I thought Mayor Scott was against more liquor stores … where is his voice on this issue?

Finally, why is it even an issue? I’ll bet to try to get people thinking about other things rather than budget issues and a pathetic Department of Juvenile Services.

— Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville

Unsportsmanlike?

What a great game, last Saturday’s Ravens win over the Steelers for a playoff berth. Against Pittsburgh, we surely deserved it.

One highlight was Marlon Humphrey’s well-timed interception, the game’s turning point. Just one sour note: Can’t he just run full tilt into the end zone, instead of looking back as he one-handedly holds out the ball behind him, teasing the Steeler chasing him? Frankly, it looked bush-league, unsportsmanlike, like taunting, and I wondered if the refs would throw a flag. They didn’t.

Pro football “taunting” is defined by the NFL (per Google) as “unsportsmanlike conduct that involves words or actions to bait, ridicule, or embarrass an opponent.” To me, this unnecessary incident was an example, and our guy did it. I know, such things go on in pro football, but this rule still exists. If it won’t be enforced routinely, why have it on the books? And as for the Ravens, as Coach Harbaugh tries to eliminate our propensity for fouls, he should not overlook taunting.

Go Ravens, stay strong, and remain victorious in the playoffs!

— Bruce Knauff, Towson

Maryland has opportunity to choose people over profit in Curtis Bay

In choosing environmental regulation for the CSX coal yard, the state of Maryland should respect the World War II history of Fairfield, Curtis Bay, Wagner’s Point, Hawkins Point and other South Baltimore communities. In many ways their wartime heroism is as important as those remembered at Fort McHenry.

Fairfield Shipyards in South Baltimore was built by Bethlehem Shipyards in abandoned shipyards and factories. It was based on the simple concept that Allied cargo ships had to be built faster than Nazi U-boats could sink them. And the idea worked. Started in 1941, on 136 acres, Baltimore’s shipyard built 384 Liberty Ships and another 90 faster and bigger Victory Ships. It was the most productive such shipyard in the country.

It used modular construction, with large parts assembled, in some cases, two and a half miles away in a Pullman railroad car plant idled during the Depression. Parts were then brought on railroad flat cars to the assembly shipways. Ship assembly was speeded by welding components instead of traditional rivets. Some 40,000 workers, many from the American South and Appalachia, were housed in the area and rented beds on eight-hour shifts to maximize usage. Fairfield worked 24/7 with a mixed workforce of men and women, Black and white and Indigenous people. It only shut down on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

This community’s shining contribution to American freedom should not be obscured by coal dust.

— Stan Heuisler, Baltimore

Response to Bill Marker’s letter to the editor

With respect to Bill Marker’s recommendation for the same property tax rate throughout the state (“Balance the budget with a level property tax | READER COMMENTARY,” Dec. 19), all Maryland residents already have one. It is the current fiscal year 2024 State of Maryland property tax rate of .1120 and it is dedicated to paying, although inadequately, the debt service on state-issued bonds.

County property taxes are not shared with either the state or other counties. Some of the less wealthier counties are found in western Maryland and the Eastern Shore. The property tax rates for Garrett, Allegany, Wicomico and Worcester are: $1.056, .975, .8855 and .8450, respectively. The wealthier counties found in the metropolitan area are Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard and have rates of .9800, 1.100, 1.0180 and 1.0140, respectively. Not sure how Mr. Marker arrived at his conclusion that poorer counties are subsidizing richer counties.

— Sam Ketterman, Timonium