The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page A16

16 THE BALTIMORE NEWS ATribune Publishing Company TIMOTHY E. RYAN Publisher, President and Chief Executive Officer NEWS ADMINISTRATION Mary J. Corey, Senior Vice President Director of Content Triffon G. Alatzas, Head of Digital Media MARYLAND VOICES Andrew A. Green, Head of Maryland Voices BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP Judith Berman, Senior Vice President Marketing Joseph D.

Brenneman, Senior Vice President Sales Thomas F. Brown, Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer Trish McCarthy Carroll, Senior Vice President Targeted Media Stephen G. Seidl, Senior Vice President Operations Technology Timothy J. Thomas, Senior Vice President Business Development THE BALTIMORE SUN Talk to us The Baltimore Sun welcomes comments from readers on subjects of local and national relevance by e-mail, by Twitter or on our Web site, baltimoresun.com. The Sun reserves the right to edit and publish them in the newspaper or on the Web site.

Online baltimoresun.com/talk E-mail us Twitter twitter.com/baltimoresun Our address The Baltimore Sun, P.O. Box 1377 Baltimore 21278-0001 Online exclusive: Second Opinion blog Have your say on Baltimore Sun editorials before printed. Previews are posted by noon on weekdays at baltimoresun.com/secondopinion READERS RESPOND ENDORSEMENTS ity Council President Bernard C. Young is a spirited man of the people who has steadily worked his way up political ladder without losing sight of the neighborhoods he came from. He is strongly attuned to the day-to-day problems Baltimore residents face, from rowdy 20-some- things pouring out of bars late at night to the difficulty of finding quality affordable housing.

He has a passion for engaging with youth and has sought to use sports (with the help and involvement of local professional teams) to provide them with constructive alternatives to life on the streets. He has an unfortunate tendency to confuse passing legislation with solving a problem, and has not always been steadfast on tough issues, but he has grown into the job and faces no serious opposition. He has our endorsement. District 1 Incumbent James B. Kraft has demonstrated a solid connection with his district in his two terms of office.

He has worked with its 21community organizations, supported charter schools, targeted illegal guns and advocated reducing the number of tax-exempt properties in the city. He also vows to revive the Polish festival in Fells Point, which was called off this year after the city raised festival fees. He deserves reelection. District 2 Of the seven candidates vying for this open council seat, the best is Brandon M. Scott He has worked as a neighborhood liaison for the Office of Neighborhoods, a community outreach worker for the city council president and a liaison for the Department of Recreation and Parks.

A former high school track runner, Mr. Scott, 27, wants to reorganize the recreation centers. This is work that needs to be done, and he should get a chance to do it. District 3 The rough style of long-serving incumbent Robert W. Curran has occasionally set off alarm bells.

This summer, for instance, he encouraged his constituents to tell 911operators a gun is involved in the incident reporting, even if it to speed police response times. Despite that boneheaded advice, Mr. Curran wins our endorsement for reelection. He is an effective representative of his district and knows how to get difficult legislation through the council. District 4 Incumbent Bill Henry who is standing for his second term, often takes the long view.

While he supports a gradual reduction in the property tax rate, he contends that it alone revive the community. He says improving the schools, cutting down on both serious and nuisance crime, and improving employment opportunities are equally important for a vital city. He is absolutely right and should be returned to office to keep up the good work. District 5 Though she ran unopposed in 2007, incumbent Rochelle Spector faces a number of challengers this year, none of whom possesses the depth of experience and institutional memory she has amassed during her 34 years on the council. Ms.

Spector has been criticized for spending too much time outside her district at her downtown residence, but that seemed to affect her ability to be a hands-on advocate for her constituents in Northwest Baltimore or the clarity of her analysis of the problems. District 6 Incumbent Sharon Green Middleton was appointed to the council in 2007 and served 10 months before being elected to office later that year. Since then, done work on the Urban Affairs, Land Use and Budget committees and attended diligently to constituent service. She faces weak challenges from Rhonda Wimbish, a real estate broker in Ashburton, and Mark E. Hughes, her former campaign aide; neither has managed to come up with a compelling reason voters return Ms.

Middleton to office for another term. District 7 Belinda Conaway, the two-term incumbent from a longtime Baltimore political family, was also criticized for residing outside her district, but unlike Ms. Spector, who forthrightly acknowledged her living arrangements and the reasons for them, Ms. answers became even more enigmatic under questioning, and she filed a $21million libel suit against a blogger who first raised the issue. When the suit was dropped a few months later, after the blogger provided proof in court that Ms.

Conaway had signed papers attesting that she lived in the Baltimore County residence, voters were left with an impression of reckless overreaction and poor judgment ill- befitting an elected official. Fortunately, there is a practical alternative in Nick Mosby an electrical engineer for Verizon who has been active in neighborhood groups and who has won the support of labor organizations. Mr. Mosby has some fresh ideas on growing population through a graduated property tax and a performance-based evaluation of city departments to make them more efficient. District 8 Helen refusal to step down from the council last year after pleading no contest to campaign finance violations stemming from the $12,500 she accepted from influential developers John Paterakis and Ronald Lipscomb can finally be corrected by the voters in her district.

David Smallwood a recreation specialist with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, has pledged to make jobs, public safety and housing his top priorities for the city. His experience working with young people should prove helpful as will his commitment to higher ethical standards than were demonstrated by the incumbent. District 9 The good news in this southwestern district, which includes some of the poorest neighborhoods, is the high quality of the field of candidates, the best of whom is Abigail Breiseth a charter school teacher who displays a deeper understanding of the difficult issues facing the district than most in City Hall. Her passion, experience and knowledge would be huge assets to the council. Incumbent William Welch is best known to voters for directing the campaigns of his mother (longtime Councilwoman Agnes Welch, who stepped down last year) and for pleading guilty to second-degree assault and gun violations for firing a gun during an argument with a campaign worker.

District 10 At a time when Baltimore desperately needs to generate new jobs, the small business experience of Edward Reisinger a tavern owner who serves as the vice president, is particularly valuable. He knows the hurdles businesses face with the slow and maddening permitting process and is working to cut through red tape. He has also served as chairman of the Land Use committee and has shown appropriate skepticism about some development projects while at the same time recognizing their potential. District 11 Councilman William H. Cole IV a rising star on the council, faces no opposition.

District 12 The race for the 12th District has attracted as strong a field of candidates as any in the city. Among the best are Brown, an energetic young Maryland Institute College of Art student who was one of the of and Jason Curtis, a hotel manager and longtime civic activist in Mount Vernon. The incumbent, Carl Stokes, has long experience on the council and has shown astrong independent streak since being appointed to fill the seat vacated by Mr. Young. But the endorsement goes to Odette Ramos a Charles Village resident whose small consulting business has provided her with keen insight into many of the problems the city faces.

She has deep expertise in dealing with the problem of vacant houses, and she has strong ideas about improving youth services and creating jobs, as well as a real zeal for solving problems. District 13 Warren Branch earns our endorsement for a second term. He has been diligent in trying to ensure the East Baltimore Development Initiative deliver on promised benefits for the community, and his desire to provide the council with its own independent analysis of the spending proposals would provide crucial balance to a budget process that tilts heavily to the executive. District 14 Mary Pat Clarke whose years of service have not diminished her energy or effectiveness, faces no opposition. For City Council Agreat start for the Baltimore Grand Prix As longtime fans of the CART racing series, which has evolved into the Indy Car Racing League, and as race attendees in Denver, Toronto, Mid-Ohio and Road America over the years, my husband and I were thrilled when the city of Baltimore announced its intention to host an Indy Grand Prix.

For its inaugural effort, Baltimore did a fantastic job. Though some kinks need to be worked out (fan entrance and exit fluidity, additional race car passing zones), Baltimore was in some ways superior to other race venues we have been to. The grandstands were easily accessible. There were plenty of restroom facilities so that you have to walk far or wait long; there were food and souvenir booths everywhere, rather than just in a central location; and the workers and volunteers we encountered were extremely friendly and helpful. In addition, it was a bonus to be able to walk along the Inner Harbor and through Camden Yards.

The turnout was fantastic. be surprised if the Baltimore Grand Prix garner a multitude of new fans to the world of IndyCar racing. Hopefully, the Indy Racing League will let the turnout speak for itself and be more than ready to solidify the five year tentative contract with the city. Baltimore and its residents, and indeed all Marylanders, should be proud. Patricia A.

Weller, Emmitsburg One racing weekend is no panacea for Baltimore The Grand Prix is in our rear view mirror, and fans from New York to Georgia seem to have had a good time. The downtown hotels and a few Inner Harbor restaurants got a two-day bump. The mayor declared that she gave the opportunity to jubilant finish line for the Grand Sept. 5). But before declaring victory, ask a few questions about the real impact of this event.

What opportunities were lost as City Hall became a headquarters for race promotion? The Grand Prix cost not only millions of dollars for roads but also required thousands of hours of city resources for planning and support. Hundreds of police and fire personnel dedicated thousands of hours to the race successfully protecting race visitors but ignoring our citizens. Transportation, public works, all city agencies had to pitch in to make the race a success, even though we are perpetually told that these agencies are strapped for resources. How is life better for those of us who live in the city after Labor Day? How many Baltimoreans have new, full-time jobs as a result of the race? How many companies have set up shop year-round in Baltimore? How many new recreation centers or park improvements do we have? Are our schools better? Are our streets safer? Are our taxes lower? Are our streets and alleys cleaner? Is the quality of life for the average Baltimorean better today than it was last Friday? Throwing a party is nice, but it fix the plumbing. I suspect that today many of our Grand Prix visitors are thinking the same thing I am: Baltimore is a nice place for a party, but is there any reason to live there? hope City Hall can figure out an answer to that question.

If not, we can all come back to visit on race day from our new homes in the suburbs. Mac Nachlas, Baltimore BGE should give priority to those with well water Ilive in the Phoenix area of Baltimore County and we get power back in our homes until Sept. 2. I understand that power has to be restored to hospitals, nursing homes and other places of critical importance. But BGE should have given more priority to the homes that depend on well water.

When the electricity is out, well pumps do not function, leaving our homes without running water and plumbing as well as power. Iprepared by filling pots and bathtubs with water, but it enough to carry us through six days without power. I had to buy water in gallon jugs (when I could find it) just to flush the toilets. It should be easy enough for BGE to find out which areas are dependent on wells. not asking for top priority, but we should we get some extra consideration about getting our power back before areas that are serviced by public water supplies.

Joy Stepcich, Phoenix belong on anniversary Why not reschedule the Ravens vs. Steelers game on Sept. 11? From personal experience, I have learned that people are very focused and excited for the big opening game. The game should not be allowed to be scheduled on the 10th anniversary of Citizens should be focused more on what happened that day 10 years ago and recognize the impact it has made on the United States up until today. But instead, football fans are anticipating going tailgating, watching the game with friends, and seeing their team win.

Watching the game is not worth the entertainment when attention should be drawn somewhere else. Abbey Hitchcock, Bel Air.