More facts needed about community events fund Re: “Taxpayers foot police bill for events,” June 29
I am compelled to respond to this article, which lacks comprehensive reporting regarding the top five organizations that received cash for police protection from the District’s community events fund in 2010 whose police bills were waived from 2008 to 2010.
Taxpayers need to know if the Caribbean Day parade was the only organization that received money while still being in financial arrears for police protection.
Cargill Kelly
Manassas
Summer camp is worthwhile alternative to child care
Re: “Parents ditch kids at summer camp,” June 26
Children who saw this headline might see the exciting summer experience their parents planned for them as a jailhouse for them to sit in while their parents go to work.
Many of these camps are wonderful opportunities for children to learn more about music, sports, arts, dance, horseback riding, boating and many other activities that they don’t have time for during the school year. And yes, many parents opt to send their children to camp instead of baby-sitting, but camp might cost more than child care.
Even if camp costs less, that does not mean that parents are “ditching” their kids. A better headline would have been: “A cost comparison between summer camps and child care.”
Bessie DeFreitas
Vienna
MontCo hasn’t made deal on soccer field … yet
Re: “Leggett ignored clear will of his constituents,” Letters, June 15
Mary Kathleen Ernst’s letter opposing the use of the Brickyard Road tract is factually just plain wrong. Montgomery County has not leased land to or contracted with anyone to construct soccer fields at Brickyard Road. The county is currently seeking input prior to issuing a Request for Proposals to determine whether there is a suitable partner to work with in a public-private partnership that would develop, construct and maintain the soccer fields at no cost to taxpayers.
It is entirely fitting that the county executive would meet with all groups interested in expanding youth recreational opportunities. He has also met with community members opposed to use of the Brickyard school site for ball fields.
The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission 2005 PROS plan referenced the critical need for 88 more multipurpose rectangular fields, especially in the down-county area, by 2020. The Potomac Master Plan, approved by the county council in 2002 following exhaustive hearings and work sessions, explicitly recognizes that future school sites offer potential for fulfilling some of these recreation needs.
Contrary to Ernst, the Master Plan specifically points to the Brickyard site as suitable for ball fields if not used as a school.
The county has already devoted nearly 40 percent of its land area to an agricultural reserve where areas are being farmed organically, with additional opportunities for more. The county has agreed to allow the private, for-profit commercial farmer currently working the 20-acre tract to continue his operation through the growing season. For the past 20 years, he has occupied the land for the nominal fee of $1,300 a year.
But public land should be used for public purposes.
Patrick Lacefield
Director of public information,
Montgomery County
