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Commentary

Renovated Baltimore arena: Not a game-winner, but a nice assist
June 25, 2021 -

Anyone who has ever attended an event at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena — whether it’s a hip-hop concert, an indoor soccer game or a performance of “Disney on Ice” — knows that as such facilities go, it’s firmly in so-so territory. The acoustics aren’t bad. The downtown location with convenient parking and transit options not far from the Inner Harbor is good. But it’s a bit small and cramped, lacking in amenities and really, really outdated. In short, it’s no Barclays Center, the multi-purpose Brooklyn arena that’s considered among the best such facilities in the world.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Maryland schools should drop all mask mandates
June 25, 2021 -

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) lifted the state of emergency in Maryland, giving schools permission to abandon mandatory masking, both now for summer school as well as in the fall. I know this sounds scary. To many, masking has come to symbolize a loyalty to science, reason and a commitment to the well-being of others. Leaving masks at home may feel selfish and unscientific, but it is not. Masking is now unnecessary, even in schools and among the unvaccinated, because the majority of Marylanders are now immune to the coronavirus.

Read More: Washington Post
What do radical conservatives fear in the teaching of history?
June 25, 2021 -

Conservatives have long fulminated over “left-wing indoctrination in our schools,” a charge that led former President Donald Trump to create a “pro-American curriculum” — the 1776 Commission. Groups like Turning Point USA have long targeted professors who supposedly “promote anti-American values and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom” — including, I presume, history professors like me. But what is it that I and my colleagues actually teach in the classroom?

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Snowden: Annapolis memorial honors slain journalists; event a call to action
June 24, 2021 -

I have had the opportunity of chairing a committee to build a memorial to the victims of the largest mass murder of journalists in the history of the United States. This Monday, June 28th, is the third anniversary of that tragedy. At 11 a.m., the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial will be dedicated at Newman Park in downtown Annapolis. This memorial was made possible because of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Anne Arundel County, Gov.

Read More: Capital Gazette
Elfreth & Reilly: Embrace the strategy of oyster restoration for the Severn River
June 24, 2021 -

We recently joined the leaders of the Severn River Association and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, along with Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, to kick off the 2021 Severn River Build-a-Reef campaign, aimed at planting 20 million juvenile oysters in our beloved and beautiful hometown river. This is the third year SRA and ORP have joined forces to help rebuild oyster populations in the Severn.

Read More: Capital Gazette
A megaphone for small businesses
June 23, 2021 -

In the day-to-day governance of a county as large as Frederick, it is easy for the little person without the biggest voice to get overlooked. Large businesses that employ hundreds or thousands of workers have easy access to the corridors of power at Winchester Hall. The interests of businesses of every size are effectively articulated by the Chamber of Commerce, but many very small firms do not belong to the group.

Read More: Frederick News Post
Bill in U.S. Senate Threatens the Legacy of My Family’s Farm
June 23, 2021 -

For generations, working on a farm has been more than just a way of life in my family — it is part of our DNA. Growing up, it was my dream to take over my family farm and carry on the legacy started by my grandfather. Over time, that dream has evolved from dairy to grain, vegetable and organic production, but I am proud to work on one of Maryland’s 12,429 farms, providing the foundation of a community that sustainably feeds, clothes and fuels our nation.

Read More: Maryland Matters
Advocating for ‘walkability’ in car-centric Baltimore-area ‘burbs
June 22, 2021 -

Baltimore City ranks 11th nationwide for walkability, but the suburbs? They belong to the cars. Far too many of the communities have no sidewalks, no protected areas for children to play, no designated pedestrian lanes and no safe passage to the store, park, school, library, coffee shop or even the neighbors’ house. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Surgeon General call for more walking and more walkable neighborhoods, local government isn’t making it safe for children or adults. My neighborhood in Baltimore County is fantastic if you’re a car; not so much if you’re a kid looking to play.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
American Jobs Plan: life or death for many small businesses
June 22, 2021 -

The COVID-19 recession has been devastating for countless small businesses. Walk down Main Street in most American cities and you’ll find shuttered stores. And many of the businesses that have survived so far are struggling with withering financials and permanent layoffs. That’s why the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan — proposed by President Joe Biden in March — is so important to the thousands of small businesses we represent. As a source of loans, technical assistance, 100% clean electricity and more, we see the proposal as vital to the full and sustainable recovery of America’s small businesses.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Newly graduated people wearing black academy gowns throwing hats up in the air
Arlotto: Anne Arundel graduations made possible by selfless acts of teamwork
June 21, 2021 -

Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once called teamwork “the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” Never was that concept better exemplified than over graduation week, when members of our AACPS team from every corner of our school system banded together to pull off a Herculean feat: 12 high school graduations in five days at a single site. That’s in addition to the staff who planned six commencement exercises for smaller schools at a variety of other venues.

Read More: Capital Gazette

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