Letters to the Editor
We welcome your opinions and letters — with name and address. We will edit when necessary. Include your name, address and phone number for verification. Mail them to Bay Weekly, P.O. Box 358, Deale, MD 20751 • E-mail them to [email protected]. or submit your letters on line, click here
Bill Burton Tells the Whole Story
Dear Bay Weekly:
Please convey my thanks to Bill Burton for his amazing article [Vol. XII, No. 7: Feb. 17] on Diamond Jim, the rockfish we dreamed about when I was a squirt growing up on neighboring Rhode River. I had sent a request to him for information on the Diamond Jim project, as my childhood memories were sketchy. I had no idea the response would be a full-blown article with such depth of research and the excellent idea to revive the whole thing, this time under state auspices.
I’ve heard that fishing is the sport folks spend the most money to do it. With all the lures, lines, and rods we’ve lost or broken over the years, I’m not surprised. Add to that the amount spent by non-locals for food, lodging, boat rental and bait and it looks like a winner. Moreover, I’d simply rather see people take their dreams outdoors and go fishing than take their quarters and go gambling. Thank you, Mr. Burton!
— [email protected]
Freedom from Smoke is a Civil Right
Dear Bay Weekly:
Unless the Democratic leadership in the Maryland General Assembly comes to its senses with regard to clean indoor air legislation, there could be major changes during the next election. Clean-air advocates, most of whom have chronic afflictions affected by tobacco smoke, are tired of being denied access to public places. In addition to the health risks imposed on workers in smoke-filled workplaces, we view this as a civil-rights issue similar to those of the 1960s. We are denied access to many restaurants and most bars due to our inherent afflictions, just as the blacks were denied access due to their color.
For the past several years, clean-indoor-air legislation has been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, where it has died by very narrow margins in committees controlled by the Democrats, despite the fact that polls indicate overwhelming support for legislation supporting clean air.
Last year the same happened in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, clean-indoor-air advocates defeated all three of the D.C. Council members who opposed us. We intend to do the same thing at the Maryland state level. We now have a broad-based, unified statewide coalition and intend to use our political clout. Since this is a nonpartisan issue, we will support or oppose legislators as necessary to obtain clean indoor air.
—John H. O’Hara: President, Maryland GASP: [email protected]
Don’t Miss Footworks
Dear Bay Weekly:
Congratulations to Footworks on their new digs [cover story, Vol XIII, No. 7: Feb. 17]. Having worked with this wonderful dance company on several occasions, I can attest to the fact that if one ever has the opportunity to view their entertaining performance, it is well worth the price of admission. Congratulations to principals Eileen Carson-Schatz and Mark Schatz for all their future endeavors and proving that live dance and music should always be appreciated.
—Sid Curl, North Beach
Department of Corrections
In the Rockfish: A Chesapeake Bluegrass Delicacy Seasoned with Swing [Vol. XIII, No. 5: Feb. 3], the Calvert County band’s website was misprinted. Learn about and listen to rockfish at www.rockfishmusic.info
