Letters to the editor: Trump backers, columnist criticized; thoughts on Hagerstown stories

Washington County's children will likely never learn of Trump's misdeeds

To the editor:

In Trump’s Merry Christmas message, he is trying to intimidate the special prosecutor by mentioning that his “wife and family, Hates 'Trump' more than any other person on earth.” This message will encourage his cult followers to attack the special prosecutor and his family.

Now we already know that 40,000-plus Washington County residents (59.3%) voted for Trump in 2020.

We also already know that Washington County Public Schools tries to avoid “controversial” issues which include political issues.

I will be disappointed but not surprised if WCPS never mentions the special committee’s report and/or Trump’s taxes in any public school in the county, and it will certainly never mention Trump’s threat to the special prosecutor and his family.

So, the miseducation of WCPS students continues, and this newspaper is complicit with its silence.

Happy New Year.

Daniel MoellerRohrersville

Thanks for the Christmas laugh

To the editor:

I was quickly going through the paper Thursday morning (Dec. 22) before heading out to work and saw the title of Tim Rowland's column "Negative stuff stealing your Christmas Cheer? Don't let it."

Related:Christmas should be joyful. But how do we let go of all the angst?

I started laughing because the most significant, derisive antagonist in this area is Tim Rowland. And he is offering this advice? I never read the column.

Thanks for the laugh.

Ted MemingerGreencastle, Pa.

Hagerstown needs to address safety, vagrancy to have strong downtown

To the editor:

I found it apropos that there was a front-page article (Dec. 19) on downtown Hagerstown a day after we attended the Maryland Symphony Christmas concert at The Maryland Theatre. Hagerstown could have a thriving downtown if the city and developers address the problems before spending money on renovations and new buildings.

From promise to disillusionment: The tricky nature of predicting downtown's future

Hagerstown’s downtown problem is the entrance to downtown from most directions. If I must drive through sections of dilapidated buildings, vagrants and drug users, I am not apt to want to visit downtown.

One of the biggest deterrents is the Dagmar hotel. This building needs to be razed or renovated, and not for low-income housing. It is a fact, whether we like it or not, that low-income housing detracts and brings down any area it is put in. Frederick had these same problems but addressed them and allowed for a thriving downtown.

If I go downtown, day or night, I make sure my doors are locked. What does that say about Hagerstown’s downtown? I have eaten at Schmankerl Stube on occasion, and my view is the library's entrance, with vagrants sitting or sleeping on the steps. The Sheetz gas station at Cannon Avenue is another problem area, with customers being accosted by vagrants begging for money.

It all comes down to what the city is willing to do to address these problems. A stadium and retail businesses will suffer if, as a customer, I am afraid to walk down the street. Stop studying the problem to death and do something about it.

Society has made it acceptable for young able-bodied people to roam the streets; they don’t need jobs; they can beg openly on the streets or get money from our government. A stronger police presence and enforcement of our vagrancy and begging laws would go a long way to solve the problem.

Susan SmithHagertown

Call for creation of a 'safe streets' commission in Hagerstown

To the editor:

When a merchant who has been a pillar in the downtown area of Hagerstown speaks up about a deplorable situation, you had better listen. Wright-Gardner has been on the corner of Prospect and Antietam for as long as I can remember. Their contribution to the city compels the city fathers to stand up and take notice of their concerns. Concerns for the safety of their employees could eventually cause them to abandon their downtown locations as many others have already done.

Related:The two sides of downtown Hagerstown. Which one will prevail?

I, for one, am tired of trying to defend the downtown to my colleagues and family. Millions of private dollars have been invested in the downtown area, and while some progress has been made, there is still the perception that it just isn’t safe to walk on the streets.

Recently, the downtown patrol of the Hagerstown Police Auxiliary was retired because of (staffing issues). We don’t seem to have funds to invest in safe streets, but we have plenty of money to invest in the theater, the park, the ball stadium — all of the things that cannot be sustained without safe streets. The millions in private funds could soon dry up unless the concerns of Wright-Gardner are addressed, and quickly.

I don’t know what the solution is, but one must be found. If the state has mandated citations in the place of arrests, then let’s pass out the citations generously. Unpaid citations can lead to confinement.

I call on the mayor, who I believe is working hard and doing a good job, to appoint a “safe streets” commission consisting of citizens, civic groups, police and municipal leaders, as well as the homeless, to meet, examine and come up with a solution for the future of our city.

Philip NussearHagestown

Potential solution to crime downtown: Return to more foot patrols

As a city police officer in 1970 and 1971, I would suggest a return to assigning four officers to foot patrol in the downtown area on all shifts. I have patrolled both on foot and in a cruiser in the city, and also on foot and in a car for the Hagerstown Housing Authority.

Related:'We got to clean this place up': Residents vent over addiction, crime, loss of place

In a vehicle, you cannot see, hear, smell or be as accessible to citizens as you can on foot patrol. A cruiser officer likely would not have discovered the county jail break in 1970. I know this would be unpopular with the officers, but I think this would solve many of the city center problems.

William R. ReelWilliamsport

Thank you for series on Hagerstown's future

I was critical of The Herald-Mail's perceived lack of positive coverage of Hagerstown, but now I applaud Managing Editor Joe Deinlein and reporter Dave McMillion on the paper's in-depth and balanced series on downtown Hagerstown — its successes and its woes.

Related:'It's real and you have to deal with it': Downtown confronts addiction, other ills

Thank you for the resources you've allocated to this important story. Well done.

Paulette LeeHagerstown

Good job with articles on downtown Hagerstown

To the editor:

Congratulations to Dave McMillion for the comprehensive in-depth series of articles concerning the growth and societal problems the city of Hagerstown is facing.

Related:What is needed to help downtown Hagerstown through its challenges?

It showed how the mayor, council and community leaders are working together to address the issues facing us and other cities and towns.

Paul PittmanHagerstown

Write to us

The Herald-Mail welcomes your opinion. Writers may send an email to opinion@herald-mail.com, or mail them to Letter to the editor, P.O. Box 439, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Letters should be no more than 300 words, and writers should include their full name, town of residence and a daytime phone number. When asserting a fact, please include sources. The Herald-Mail reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and libel.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Series on Hagerstown's future, challenges sparks thoughts