Urban-rural boundary should be local choice

The Baltimore County Farmland Preservation Act would require the county’s planning board and a clear majority of the Baltimore County Council to approve any changes to our urban boundary.

Community organizations throughout Baltimore County have endorsed this legislation. They realize the importance of respecting Baltimore County’s Urban-Rural Demarcation Line which has protected tens of thousands of acres of green space since 1967.

This is not just good for farmers, but for the 1.8 million people who rely on unpolluted water from our three county reservoirs.

In his recent commentary attacking our legislation, Nick Stewart mocks the need for each councilmember to evaluate whether the urban boundary in their district should be changed (“This practice is holding Baltimore County’s future hostage,” March 31). The cofounder of We The People – Baltimore County sure doesn’t trust the voters.

Each council member is ultimately accountable to their voters. That’s why they have historically had such influence on land use and other issues specific to their district.

We have worked very hard on complex problems such as urban revitalization, planning and transportation, even as Stewart was nowhere to be found.

At our legislative work session, I asked Stewart what his alternative was to this tradition of “councilmanic courtesy.” He could articulate no real alternative. Allowing four or five councilmembers from outside a district to ram through new developments is hardly democratic.

Baltimore County residents deserve real solutions to our challenges, not generalities in an attack piece or excuses for sprawl and overdevelopment. The Farmland Preservation Act is landmark legislation that will incentivize investment in our older areas, preserve green space and chart a balanced future for the county.

— David Marks, Towson

The writer, a Republican, represents District 5, eastern and northern Baltimore County, on the Baltimore County Council.

Baltimore should have a final A-10 flyover

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly referred to as the “Warthog,” flown by the 175th Maryland Air National Guard detachment has long been a treasured Baltimore asset in service to the nation (“Maryland Air National Guard base to transition from aging A-10 aircraft to cyber mission,” March 7).

In recognition of the fact that many of these aircraft were also made in Maryland at the Fairchild plant in Hagerstown, it would be fitting for a ceremonial flyover on a Saturday or Sunday before their final departure.

Not to be overdone, but one that would fly at lowest levels permitted in formations north to south, and east to west over the entire metro area.

Properly promoted, as it surely would be by local media, the salute would be viewed by all our citizenry. It would be a proud, uplifting send-off all could share in thanking these noble liberty protectors.

— Joseph Coale, Towson

Trump’s indecent behavior toward Greenland

President Donald Trump’s efforts to share his personal observations about Greenland which he perceives as some piece of undeveloped real estate is so inappropriate as to be mind-boggling (“Russia keeps watchful eye on US as Trump eyes Greenland annexation,” March 28).

Because of his narcissism, Trump is compelled to use his bully pulpit to insert himself into all manner of situations to condescendingly berate foreign allies, well-intended government employees, recipients of federal funds or anyone else that he feels has opinions different from his own.

This president (and I use a lower-case “p” since he routinely dishonors the position), lacks any sense of decorum or humility, and the entire country is adversely affected by his knee-jerk reactions.

I’m grateful that I was not a co-conspirator in putting him back in the position to abuse his authority and run roughshod over the rest of us.

— Neil Rauch, Pikesville