Election letters to the editor

Trone is the right choice for Congress

To the editor:

Folks need to carefully consider their vote for the congressional representative of the 6^th District. Neil Parrott (recently had) a local roundtable with Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz, who objected to certifying the 2020 election both before and after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, is not a good example of someone to be associated with.

Parrott has said he would focus on reducing the deficit if elected. This means he will go along with (current Minority Leader Kevin) McCarthy’s plan to hold the country hostage by refusing to raise the debt ceiling unless programs such as Social Security and Medicare are cut. Parrott will also likely “parrot” McCarthy’s plans to suspend aide to Ukraine. Even Republican Gov. Larry Hogan does not support Parrott.

David Trone has consistently worked across the aisle in his two terms to get legislation passed to assist those dealing with substance abuse, criminal justice reform and mental health. His support of Brooke’s House here in Hagerstown has helped to provide a stable and supportive environment for women recovering from substance abuse. A vote for David Trone is a vote for our community.

Cynthia J ShankHagerstown

More on the race:Candidates for 6th Congressional District come face-to-face at Frostburg forum

Consider false promises of legalized marijuana on Question 4

To the editor:

Although marijuana is already decriminalized here, Marylanders have been led to believe that the best reason for legalizing marijuana is to improve social justice, with the added bonus of eliminating the black market.

Our regional media have largely failed to verify those assumptions by investigating data from legalized states, the exception being a recent Washington Post column: “After Virginia legalized pot, majority of defendants are still Black”.

A check of reports from other states reveals social justice has not improved with legalization, including a 2021 document issued by the state of Colorado, “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado,” showing racial disparities in arrests for possession have actually increased there.

And the black market has boomed, as best exemplified by LA Times article "The reality of legal weed in California: Huge illegal grows, violence, worker exploitation and deaths." The black market can out-compete the legal market because it does not pay taxes or regulatory fees, and will sell to youth.

The false promise put forth by marijuana proponents comes with a tremendous social cost, from the roughly 66% higher young adult use in legalized states reported by Dr. Jeremy Mennis of Temple University in 2021, to the associated increase in negative mental health impacts and traffic fatality rates.

The effect of marijuana use on academic achievement has been studied by Dr. Amelia Arria’s group at University of Maryland, finding that marijuana has a greater impact than alcohol use. Mental health outcomes can range from anxiety and depression, to psychosis and suicidal behaviors, as covered in a 2017 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research,” with abundant recent research confirming the worrisome trends.

Please keep these points in mind when voting on Question 4.

Christine L. MillerIdlewylde, Md.

Legalizing weed, other ballot questions: What you need to know before voting in Maryland

Malott has the knowledge and skills to remain register of wills

To the editor:

I am writing to encourage all Washington County voters, regardless of political party, to re-elect Jason Malott as register of wills.

Jason is a lifelong resident of Washington County with over 20 years of experience in the register’s office. The register of wills is not a political or policy position, but an administrative position. Electing a register allows us to choose the most competent and trusted person for the job. I know first-hand what is required of this position. My father, Tom Parks, served as register of wills for 20 years.

The register needs a thorough understanding of Maryland estate and probate law as well as personal integrity and compassion for others. Jason has demonstrated all of these qualities.

When I served as executor for the estates of my grandmother and mother, Jason guided me through the process with patience and kindness, making those difficult tasks manageable. His professionalism and efficiency ensured that the register’s office continued to run smoothly during the COVID pandemic, and I was able to settle an estate entirely by phone and email.

Jason is not a politician — he is a true public servant. Please re-elect Jason Malott as our register of wills. If you ever have to administer an estate, you will be glad you have Jason there to help you.

Lori Parks-MurphyHagerstown

Q&A:Washington County's register of wills faces challenger from Frederick County office

Candidate thanks voters, asks for support for register of wills

To the editor:

Please allow me the opportunity to express my sincerest thank you to the voters of Washington County who have elected me register of wills three times in a row since 2010. I now seek another four-year term and I again ask for your support to allow me to continue serving the citizens of Washington County and Maryland.

I am blessed to be able to serve the community I live in, and along with my wife have raised our family here. I have participated in many of the events and organizations our wonderful community offers. I actively serve on the boards of Hospice of Washington County, Washington County Historical Society and Leadership Washington County. For 23 years I have worked in the register's office as deputy and chief deputy to my predecessor, John Bloyer, and for the last 12 years as register.

I have a wonderfully caring staff that work hard to make sure you receive the best service. The register's office in Washington County has always had a tradition of personal service. The position of register of wills may not be a high-profile office, but when you need our services, you will want a responsive and caring office to turn to in your time of loss and sadness.

I guarantee, if you re-elect me as your register of wills, that tradition of service will continue. Thank you.

Jason A. MalottWashington County register of willsWilliamsport

Board of education candidate states equity is a form of bigotry

To the editor:

What most impacts our public schools may be “equity.” Now that Maryland’s public schools are ranked in the bottom 20% in math scores, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessment, equity cannot be ignored.

In my view, equity has two parts. The first is critical race theory or racial equity. While it sounds sophisticated, it’s not. It divides people into groups by skin color and ethnicity. Some groups are designated as “oppressed," while others are designated as “privileged.” From what I've seen, in practice, the privileged groups are asked to give up something to the oppressed groups. That is called being an “ally” of the oppressed.

An example is when Vice President Kamala Harris stated that, to be equitable, communities of color would receive extra consideration for federal aid for Hurricane Ian. Another example is in Frederick County, their schools have defined racism as: "a complex system of beliefs and behaviors, grounded in a presumed superiority of the white race. These beliefs and behaviors are conscious and unconscious; personal and institutional; and result in the oppression of people of color and benefit the dominant group, whites." Why can't any group be racist, not just whites?

A second aspect of equity, as I see it, is called gender equity. This uses sexuality to designate additional groups as oppressed or privileged. I believe an example would be when transgender individuals enter women’s sports and win because of their physical advantages. The win is justified because women are designated as privileged. Therefore, losing recognition for their athletic achievements is how women become allies, I believe.

Another example I see is books in our school libraries that parents have submitted for removal because of pornographic content. The defense from some board members is that the books portray oppressed lifestyles. Many have already seen this discussed in the national news, but it seems to me equity supporters believe pornography in school libraries makes children allies.

Equity ideology tells us this is justice. But history tells us that it’s just a system of bigotry, and once a political group attaches themselves to that system, they fight to strengthen it. Of the six candidates running for Washington County Board of Education, three understand that equity is bigotry.

Ethan LoewenCandidate, Washington County Board of EducationHagerstown

More on the board of education race:Three Washington County school board members face challengers

Submitting a letter

Election Day is Nov. 8, and early voting in Maryland is going on now through Nov. 3. Any election-related letters must be received by no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, and they will be published Sunday, Nov. 6. Email letters to opinion@herald-mail.com. Letters must be no longer than 300 words, and any statements of fact must have a source provided. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and grammar.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Candidates and voters offer opinions on Nov. 8 election