I want to thank you for publishing online so many photos of the Salvation Army Delivery Day, and for taking the time to identify the staff and volunteers in the photos. My husband and I have participated in this program several times, hunting for and purchasing items listed by the children. We always feel grateful we are able to do this in Annapolis.
However, I never comprehended the size and complexity of this operation, which the Salvation Army quietly carries out behind the scenes every year. I am so glad this project and its leaders are receiving this kind of help exposure which will help raise awareness. I had no idea the project serves 850 children and 100 seniors every Christmas, and I am extremely proud of the size of the effort which our local Salvation Army is able to coordinate. Thank you so much for giving this the attention it deserves.
Nancy Davis, Annapolis
I was inspired by what Iris Krasnow wrote Sunday, Dec. 18: “We all need to remember that peace on earth, good will toward everyone, remains our essential goal, and we must not be deterred.”
Peace, an absence of hostilities, is not an absence of energy. The goal of attaining and maintaining peace requires effort. If we are to live in peace, we must stay actively aware of, and involved in, its principles and we must model them for others. What are some things we might do?
We can learn about conflict resolution, develop a tool chest of verbal and body language to defuse a hostile situation. We can learn to put aside our excess pride and fear when responding to attacks by others, so we do not meet insult with insult. We can accept within ourselves that we are OK, regardless of the criticism we face. It helps to recognize the humanity in others, regardless of how they are acting. We can grow to support others who also strive for peace. We can perform random acts of kindness.
Above all, as the Golden Rule teaches, we need to treat others as we would wish to be treated. Peace is a force. In pursuit of peace, as Krasnow so aptly put it, “we must not be deterred.”
Bera Arnn, Annapolis
I write to address unfounded criticism leveled at several conservation organizations in Paul Foer’s recent opinion piece. The point of the piece was to express concern about Chesapeake Conservancy’s plans to build green office space for it and other conservation organizations, on land recently acquired and preserved by that organization. Foer neglected to note that the proposed building would replace decrepit, existing structures, have a smaller footprint and be located farther away from the shoreline.
The author then detoured into personal attacks against Joel Dunn, president of the conservancy, noting that Mr. Dunn makes $170,000 per year. Dunn has a master’s degree from Duke, and heads an organization that has an enviable track record of preserving our last tracts of natural land. He has to navigating complex regulatory, legal and political opposition to do so. With his education, skills and track record, Dunn is a bargain for the conservancy and would surely command higher compensation in the for-profit world.
Not content with just attacking Dunn, the author then leveled his sights at other conservation organizations, including Chesapeake Bay Trust and Alliance for the Chesapeake, which he criticized for being located in “high end” Eastport. I’ve visited their offices, which are located in an old Eastport church that they have repurposed into Spartan offices. They are anything but high-end; their Annapolis location allows them to more efficiently interact with key state agencies.
As a former member of the Severn River Commission and now a voluntary board member of the nonprofit Severn River Association, I have been privileged to work with the talented, hardworking professionals at Chesapeake Conservancy, Chesapeake Trust and Alliance for the Chesapeake. Any for-profit company would count itself lucky to have the folks employed by those organizations. And the citizens of this area are lucky that folks like Dunn have chosen to put their considerable skill toward making our area a nicer, cleaner place to live.
Jeff Schomig, Arnold
What a treat to see the faces of the children who enjoyed the 20th Annual Breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Agia Anna Philoptochos Society of the Annapolis Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. In addition to the breakfast, nearly 100 children were given gifts and gift cards.
The Annapolis chapter of the Agia Anna Philoptochos Society has been helping people in Annapolis since its founding in 1938.
Capital photographer Jeffrey F. Bill should submit the pictures for an award as they really captured the spirit of Christmas. The innocence and happiness of these children seeing Santa just jumped off the page and made you feel good.
The front-page picture of the shy little boy reaching out his finger to touch Santa’s finger was priceless as was the picture of a young girl whispering in Santa’s ear.
Those of us who are subscribers would welcome more local reporting of these happy and fun events. We are bombarded hourly with the bad news, so covering an event like this Breakfast with Santa shows the goodness of the human spirit and gives us hope for the future
John Pantelides, Annapolis
Greenbury Point is a treasure. We have taken children there to hike the trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Though access makes documentation difficult, observers have noted the site is home to more than 600 species of wildlife. A bird “mecca,” the area is important to seabirds and migrating songbirds as a flyover stop. We have seen cuckoos, orioles, yellow-breasted chats and a rare flock of wintertime American tree sparrows. The recent explosion of housing and the expansion of the B and A Trail provide benefits, but these have cost wildlife habitat. Greenbury Point isn’t just a piece of land. It is critical to the life cycle of many types of birds. We are blessed already with a golf course. We need to preserve Greenbury Point as one of nature’s wonders, for the benefit of wildlife and humans and as a heritage for generations to come.
Rebecca Wilde, Arnold
I don’t play the lottery. The odds are astronomical, akin to being struck by lightning — twice. I also find it revealing that states are suddenly in love with activities they once called sins and made illegal. Gambling, marijuana and who knows what’s next? Maybe follow in the footsteps of Nevada and make prostitution a legalized profession. As long as the state gets its cut, it’s not a sin.
Meanwhile, back at the subject of the lottery, Maryland will no longer use the random ball nor will they televise the selection and results. Has anything ever been more obviously ripe for corruption? The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency will know before the “drawing” what numbers have been chosen and they will be the ones choosing the “randomized” numbers. This seems like an embarrassingly obvious scam, but apparently there is no shame in government.
I sincerely hope not one person buys a lottery ticket, which would send the message that Marylanders don’t trust these people.
Peter Tutini, Annapolis
Workforce housing developments equals less open space in a city clearing wooded areas at breakneck speed, more traffic on already inadequate roads, more kids in already overcrowded classrooms, more strain on water and sewage system, more trash for already dwindling land fills, more need for already understaffed and underfunded police and firefighters, and the list goes on. More development is not the answer. Maybe higher wages and lower taxes would help to make Annapolis more affordable.
Jerry Peterson, Annapolis
Chet Gladchuk embarrassed the Naval Academy, the Navy football team, Navy fans and the Navy by his ready, aim and fire approach to firing Coach Ken Niumatalolo — a gentleman and developer of young men. Gladchuk demonstrated this same impetuous approach when he fired Ivin Jasper when he was the offensive coordinator.
Who was the designated guard to prevent Gladchuk from overreacting. They did not do their job. We have talked to midshipmen about their view of the director of athletics. That would be an interesting read.
Gladchuk had no choice but to hire Brian Newberry or else this program would be in even more trouble.
Rather than call for Gladchuk’s firing, let’s hope he soon retires in a dignified manner and receives the accolades for the good work he did over the years.
Its time to clear the decks and get new blood into the Naval Academy athletic department.
Eli Dabich, Annapolis
Dabich is a Naval Academy graduate.
A cherished memory was playing for my high school — loyalty, camaraderie, spirit and brotherhood. It was about our present, our moment, our team. I have always been a fan of college football. The players are in it for the pure love of the game. And it culminates in showcase bowl appearances. They only become mercenaries at the professional level. OR SO I THOUGHT!
College football bowl season is expected to see a record number of player opt-outs next month as the growing trend of athletes shutting things down ahead of the NFL Draft to avoid injury or for transfer portal reasons continue (Nov 28, 2022). In that vein, the military teams stand alone as John Feinstein calls them “The Last Amateurs.” Loyalty? Honor? High school aside, Army-Navy may be our one pure football game.
Mark Heck, Annapolis
Classless leadership seems to be what Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk should become known for and I look forward to his departure in an equally brutal manner. The COO of a company and captain of the ship is who is responsible for performance in the Navy I served. Ken Nuimatalolo deserved to be treated with respect and he was not. I can’t wait for Gladchuk to be shown the door. It’s an embarrassment to be let go in this manner for all that Coach Ken gave to my school. I used to think Navy’s athletic association had more class.
Henry Gonzales Jr., Orinda, California
Gonzales Jr. is a Naval Academy graduate.
