What is the key characteristic of a democracy? It's the right of citizens to vote for candidates of their choice. The extension of this right is the right of petition, which allows voters to participate in defining the laws that govern them.

In the last election, ballot questions allowed the public to become involved in discussions related to issues of concern. What better way is there to get participation of 340,000 people in the governmental decisions making process?

Currently, the requirement for petition to referendum is 10,000 signatures. Maryland Senate Bill 561 and House Bill 648 have the potential to change that requirement for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties and the city of Baltimore. The change could ultimately require each of these jurisdictions to collect the number of valid signatures equal to 5 percent of the registered voters in each jurisdiction. For Montgomery, that would increase the number of required signatures to 25,859. If the increase in signatures becomes law it will virtually eliminate the ability of the public to collect the require number of signatures to petition for change.

This is an action initiated by the county's state delegation. Seventeen of 20 co-sponsors in the House and four of the five co-sponsors of the Senate are from Montgomery County. Their action is evidently due to the fear of the results of future potential petition efforts that could again try to limit the property tax increases or address other issues of concern. If such a petition were before the voters today it would find additional support from people who received an average 69 percent reassessment increase in January and would most likely be approved.

The only justification offered for passage of the new law is that it will limit frivolous petitions. Over the last 10 years there have been only 11 petitions for referendum. In last year's election, the property tax limit referendum received 139,568 votes and term limits for the county executive and County Council received 162,242 votes. Hardly frivolous numbers.

Even allowing an infrequent frivolous petition is a small price to pay for retaining a reasonable right to petition for the public. Defeating these bills will allow the citizens of Maryland to continue to exercise this valued basic right when they feel the need for changes in their government. In Montgomery County this is the best option for change open to the general public.

Marvin Weinman, Kensington

The writer is president of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League.

'Green energy' could cost taxpayers more green

Having lived in Montgomery County for almost 20 years, I should not be surprised by the County Council's willingness to frivolously spend money, but this one really takes the cake ("Green energy buyers in line for tax reward," March 9 Council Notes).

Some time back, local utilities offered consumers the option of buying electricity generated from so-called "green" sources, such as wind. Since this electricity is much more expensive to produce than electricity from traditional sources such as coal or nuclear, the utility passes on this additional cost (about 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour) to the consumer.

No problem. People who chose to buy this electricity did so knowing full well that it would cost them more.

Now the council wants to use taxpayer money (i.e. mine) to "reward" these consumers who, I emphasize, freely chose to pay more, by giving them a tax break. As a result, I, and all of the other taxpayers in the county, end up subsidizing these people. Simply amazing.

Why don't the council members pretend they are spending their own money rather than that of other people? Maybe if they did, they would stop this type of reckless spending on such feel-good issues.

Sure, and maybe one day pigs will fly!

Gary A. Pertmer, Silver Spring

Saving Seven Locks ES

The article, "Board OKs plan for Seven Locks" (March 9), did not discuss some important aspects of the March 8 school board meeting.

Despite board member Gabriel Romero's praise of the architect's work, the community opposes this project. This includes neighboring community associations representing 6,000 families, the PTA, and the more than 1,200 individuals who signed a petition stating their concerns about the plan to replace Seven Locks Elementary School with a new school on Kendale Road.

The school system staff refuses to address longstanding community and PTA questions regarding the full cost to the taxpayers of the options of expanding the current facility or building a replacement school. In fact, school board member Sharon Cox accused the community of bullying the board when in reality they are bullying the community because they do not want to answer important questions on this project.

Also, when the question of surplussing the school site was addressed during the board meeting as "urban legend" in the community, the facts speak for themselves. Superintendent Jerry Weast said at the meeting that he was not in a position to make a recommendation on surplussing the school at this time. However, in a March 22, 2004, letter to the board, he stated: "Once the Seven Locks Elementary School is relocated to the Kendale Road site, I believe the current site at the intersection of Seven Locks Road and Bradley Boulevard would no longer be needed for school purposes."

The resolution containing this statement was approved by the school board in 2004.

David Tiktinsky, Bethesda

Campaign financing: Its time has come

The March 9 article, "Lawmakers call for public funding of campaigns," described the pending bills in the Maryland legislature (Senate Bill 725 and House Bill 1031) to establish a voluntary public funding system. There are strong reasons that the legislature's Stenberg Commission recommended such a system, and why it would benefit incumbent legislators, as well as everyone else in Maryland.

To campaign successfully for election or re-election to the General Assembly, candidates have to raise substantial funds, mostly from corporate donors who make large contributions. Whether or not that gives those companies undue influence on legislators, there is widespread suspicion that it does. This perception is eroding public confidence in all of our legislators and our government.

Moreover, for those incumbent legislators who choose to use public funding, it would relieve them of the onerous burden of raising ever-increasing amounts of money for their re-election campaigns.

The cost of this important reform would be minimal -- less than $2 per year for each Maryland resident. The system would save taxpayers far more than that by reducing the excessive influence of corporate interests in the legislative process.

Public funding has proved to be highly successful in Arizona and Maine. It's time for Marylanders to obtain its benefits.

Robert S. Rochlin, Chevy Chase

Stress on resources

Between WSSC's plan for a "big dig" to construct a water main to ensure enough water pressure to accommodate a projected population growth in Prince George's County and construction of the Intercounty Connector to ease traffic congestion, our region's governments are surrendering to the cause of the need for both construction projects.

Although national population growth control is a hot button issue lawmakers, at all levels, won't address, one would think they might at a minimum address the immigration levels exacerbating the stress on our limited natural resources.

Reuben Hamasian, North Bethesda

Larger container makes recycling easier

I was surprised to read some of the reactions to the large paper recycling containers recently delivered to many county residents.

As soon as I learned of the pilot program more than a year ago, I contacted the county executive's office in hopes of obtaining one of the larger, covered, wheeled containers. I was disappointed to learn that we did not live in the pilot area, but that the program would expand.

I was delighted to arrive home from work on March 16 to find a container waiting for me. Rather than viewing it as an eyesore that needs to be hidden from public view, I see it as a way of helping to preserve our environment. I also see it as a solution to a problem that has bothered me for years: Where to store a week's worth of paper without letting it get wet, buried under snow or whipped about in a storm. My solution was to have bags of paper accumulate in the living room until recycle day. No more!

There is no rule stating the container must be full in order to be of use, although residents may surprise themselves if they recycle everything that is appropriate.

If everyone took the time to remove the inner bag from cereal boxes and then recycle the clean cardboard, those new bins would start to fill up.

Thank you, Montgomery County, for making recycling cleaner and easier.

Marilyn Berger, Kensington

Deer population control necessary

I am a long time supporter of the work of the Humane Society and of animal rights, but in the last five years I have become disturbed by health and safety issues regarding deer.

It was with reluctance that I amended Montgomery County onto a bill that allows hunting on private property on two Sundays during the hunting season. Statistically, these two days result in the removal of more deer than in the remainder of the hunting season. The following are my reasons for having done so:

*Maryland deer carry some ticks that are infected with spirochetes that cause a variety of diseases including Lyme disease. Lyme disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in Montgomery County. Frequently it is not diagnosed correctly. There may be arthritis-like infections affecting the joints, neurological system manifestations like facial nerve palsy and cranial neuropathy and the heart may experience blockages.

The disease is becoming more prevalent in Maryland, rising 18 percent in diagnosed cases from 2001 to 2002. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene states that the disease may be "underreported." University of Maryland studies indicate that there may be a 10 to 12 fold incidence in underreporting. Maryland ticks have the highest rate of Lyme infection rate of any infected location.

*The incidents of deer-car collisions have increased in the county. This is not only a brutal way to kill and wound deer, but the injuries to people and damages to vehicles have grown in the last few years.

*Farmers in the county are experiencing losses of crops to deer as high as 40 percent. In Montgomery County we value our farmers and open space. Farmers need to keep production high in order to be able to stay in business, provide the crops we enjoy and maintain the open space we all value.

*Deer are eating the under-story of our woodlands, thus preventing the growth of new trees and plants native to our woodlands.

Since deer have no natural predators except humans in this area, I believe we need to try this method of population control for several years before reassessment. The venison is made available to various groups and organizations and is not wasted.

Karen S. Montgomery, Brookeville

The writer, a Democrat, represents District 14 in the House of Delegates.

Destruction of wildlife's habitat is the problem

Once again, the subject of a deer hunt to curb their population rears its ugly head ("Legislators consider expanding deer hunt," March 16).

The problem is not really overpopulation but habitat destruction. Where do people think these animals go when the woods they live in are razed to the ground? Every day I see more and more wooded acres being deforested and rolling farmland sold off to developers. I live near Fairland Regional Park, where 300 acres of parkland are slated for development. I have no idea how many deer can live on 300 acres, as well as other wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, groundhogs and opossums, but where do people expect these displaced animals to go? If they are not slaughtered by the bulldozer crews, which believe me happens to most of them, they flee.

And where do they flee? Across roads to be hit by cars, and into people's backyards to be branded as nuisance animals. I know development will not stop, but I really wish people would show a little more compassion and understanding about what happens to the wild animals that live in this world with us.

There has to be a better solution than shooting them.

Barbara Johnson, Burtonsville

'Political bait and switch' on ICC

I was astonished to read County Councilman Michael L. Subin's comment that the Intercounty Connector has nothing to do with relieving traffic congestion ("Council gives ICC support in 6-3 vote," March 2 story).

Perhaps Mr. Subin forgot the direct mail piece distributed in September 2002 by the End Gridlock Team, entitled "Tired of Waiting in Traffic?" It said, "Let's build the ICC ... to drastically ease traffic congestion and relieve gridlock for the entire region." He was pictured on the piece, along with the other at-large council members and County Executive Doug Duncan. The ICC was sold to the people for that reason -- to ease traffic congestion.

Flash forward two years and now Mr. Subin is openly stating that the ICC has nothing to do with relieving traffic. Talk about your classic political bait and switch maneuver.

Do Mr. Subin and his colleagues think people are stupid? Even the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued by the State Highway Administration shows that the ICC would add more traffic to the Beltway in the county than not building it. Also, the DEIS ssays the ICC would not relieve traffic on I-270 or I-95.

So now we have the state acknowledging that the ICC will do nothing for our congested highways, and the EPA is on record stating it will, " ... have significant adverse impacts to the environment." And I don't have enough room here to discuss the prospect of mortgaging our future federal highway aid with the proposed $1 billion GARVEE bond fund issue.

Why are our political leaders so eager to build it? We just need to follow the money trail and it is obvious -- developers. This entire ICC project is being served up to developers on a silver platter by our elected officials.

Susan Revello, Derwood

Concerns over program

Charles Gershenson's commentary ("When moral values, sex education collide," Feb. 16) prompted me to consider the changes that the county school board has proposed to the health curriculum for grades eight and 10.

First, I am concerned that the new curriculum may not be entirely factual or share with students all of the facts they need to make informed decisions. For example, condom use is advocated as a disease preventive measure. However, between three and 14 couples, out of 100 using condoms for contraception will become pregnant per year, indicating a relatively high failure rate for contraception (2005 Physicians Desk Reference).

Second, I am concerned that material from advocacy groups, such as "Advocates for Youth," is used in the curriculum. On my visit to their Web site, one item that I noticed was a downloadable pamphlet, "I Think I Might be Gay, Now What Do I Do?"

Third, I am concerned how little communityinput went into developing the new curriculum. A committee of 27 people developed the curriculum behind closed doors. The entire process needs to be reconsidered, community input sought, and the curriculum reviewed by scientific and medical experts to make sure it is factually valid.

Richard J. Calvert, M.D., Gaithersburg

Tax relief endangered

The property tax relief program for poor, low-income homeowners is failing. The Homeowners' Tax Credit program has not kept up with the times. With the recent large increases in property tax assessments of homes, many more homeowners will need help.

Many fewer homeowners are now being helped than in earlier years. Over the four years 1979-82, the average number of homeowners' tax credits granted was 110,166. By contrast, in 2004, less than 50,000 tax credits were issued, a drop of 55 percent. Just in the five years from 2000-04, there was a 23 percent decrease in the number of homeowners receiving the tax credits. One reason for the fall off in tax credit awards is the low assessment limit of $150,000.

House Bill 745 addresses some of the problems with the program. The cross-filed Senate bill is SB 631. It increases the assessment limit to $250,000 and straightens out a flawed relationship with the Homestead Tax Credit program. This is a good bill. It needs the public's support.

Dick Strombotne, Gaithersburg

The writer is first vice president and legislative director of the Maryland Federation of Chapters, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Outgoing East Village board members concerned about issues facing community

Open letter to East Village residents:

As outgoing members of the East Village Homeowners Corp. Board of Directors, we wish to thank the residents of East Village for their support and trust for the past six years (two terms).

In our 15 and 14 years, respectively, as residents of East Village, we have watched this community grow from infancy to a completely built-out development, home to some 5,000 residents, and we are proud to have had some part in directing its coming of age.

That said, and as happy as we are to pass the baton along to newly elected board members, we are quite concerned over a number of issues that have arisen at this time, and we believe it is important to bring them to the attention of the new board members and the community as a whole.

*Although the board had established a policy several years ago that all contracts over $5,000 must be opened to competition, we are deeply concerned that the board majority voted to exempt the management and maintenance contracts from that policy. No matter how well the Montgomery Village Foundation may be performing, to exclude from competition these two contracts, worth about $275,000 annually, or about 60 percent of the total budget, demonstrates a lack of fiscal responsibility. How can we possibly be certain we are getting the best service and price if these contracts are not open for competition?

*As is the case in most organizations of this type, much of the work is carried out through committees. Unfortunately, with the exception of the Maintenance Committee, there were no committee meetings for the entire year of 2004. Since we were not appointed to chair any of the 11 committees last year, we were unable to initiate such meetings ourselves. Although we and other non-board residents frequently volunteered to assist in communicating with the residents through written newsletters or other means, we were never permitted to do so.

*We are concerned about the absences of two board members at meetings. First, the treasurer of the board, who assured the board when he ran for treasurer in 2004 that he would be able to attend meetings, has in fact attended less than half, even though the number of meetings was reduced from 10 to seven. Secondly, another board member has not been to a meeting since December 2003. The corporation's bylaws direct that members missing three consecutive meetings be replaced. Unfortunately, despite our continued inquiries about the status of the second board member, that person is still a member and our inquiries have been rebuffed. Additionally, four members of the community were nominated to fill three open board positions in 2005. Why not let the fourth nominee, who is eager to serve, fill this absent board member's position?

*Because of attacks on a former board member that were not based in fact, EVHC had to settle a lawsuit and pay out $1,500 to cover a directors and officers insurance deductible, and the board's D&O insurance premium has increased by 15 percent.

As a nonprofit organization, the East Village Homes Corp. must operate in a completely open, transparent manner for both the Internal Revenue Service and the public. We believe that the board needs to consider its actions and operations in light of these requirements.

We urge East Village residents to attend the board meetings, find out what is being said and done, and speak out. Only then can we have a true democracy in our organization.

Bonnie Wahiba and Saul Schepartz, Montgomery Village

Fiscal irresponsibility driving homeowners away

Once again County Executive Doug Duncan and the County Council have shown that they have no concept of fiscal responsibility or constraint ("Duncan recommends 8 percent increase in spending," March 16 story).

This year's 8 percent budget increase exceeds the inflation rate by more than 250 percent. This is fueled by the increases in property values and the taxes collected.

We should all breath a collective sigh of relief that it is limited or Duncan and gang would probably be proposing a 20 percent increase in spending. Duncan puts forth a paltry 2 percent "break," which he will pay for by leaving other taxes in place.

The fact is the revenues from property taxes have risen by 9 percent, which means that even taking in account his break there is still a 7 percent increase.

The end result of this out-of-control spending by both the executive and council is that homeowners will be driven out of the county.

In the next few years, this man wants to be governor. If we want another tax-and-spend governor, Duncan has clearly shown us how he will perform.

John A Majane III, Germantown

End political promotions

It is time to make some changes. I just had a session on-line to get a duplicate title for a car I am giving away.

I noticed that across the top of the Web site for the Maryland Department of Transportation are pictures and names of the governor, lieutenant governor and transportation secretary. Then I recalled how, at the state line on the interstates, there are huge welcome signs with our governor's name on them. Taxpayers have to pay for all these name changes when a new administration comes into office.

Give me a sign that says "Welcome to Maryland from the People of Maryland." Give me a Web site that says "Motor Vehicle Administration." Don't use our tax money to advertise politicians.

Jim Goff, Germantown

Food for thought

I applaud Superintendent Jerry Weast's dedication to improving students' reading skills. However, I believe the second-grade reading score of 72 percent for 2004 ("School system touts substantial reading gains," March 9 story) indicates we have a ways to go to ensure our students become good readers, especially if "analogies really aren't studied in high school anymore" ("Ready or not, SAT essay is here," March 9 story).

It's never too early or late to study analogies, even if they have been removed from the SAT. They help readers form mental connections between topics and become better writers and learners. For example, the more my students form and write about connections between mathematical concepts, the better they understand mathematics. Unfortunately, many students rely on calculators without forming mathematical connections. That may be why the United States lags behind many countries in mathematics education.

Perhaps my points can be analogized as "analogies are to learning" as "reading and writing are to understanding."

Whiting John Wicker, Ph.D., Germantown

The writer is professorial lecturer of mathematics and statistics at American University, and an operations research analyst with the federal government. His research interests include No Child Left Behind and multicultural mathematics education.

Sherwood High School treats audience to magnificent music

We all grow tired of hearing bad news, so when there is good news to report, it is important that we toot our horns and make certain that the community is aware.

We can be proud of the music program at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring.

It is consistently performing at the highest levels as demonstrated through many positive outcomes: musical ensembles receive the highest scores in interscholastic competitions, concerts are well attended, students are inspired by leading artists who visit the school, the faculty lead a dynamic program that continues to grow while building on wholesome traditions, and the program embraces a challenging and diverse musical repertoire.

The recent Rock n' Roll Revival 34 is a perfect illustration of this high level of performance. From the opening welcome by the principal and a student to the final curtain calls by the numerous performers, the audience was treated to a class act.

Audiences are treated to real rock and roll with live bands, solid vocals and spectacular dancing. The performances are showcased using stellar sets and lighting that nicely compliment the live performances.

The audiences are standing room only and comprise all generations, including former students and fans that travel from throughout the mid-Atlantic regions to attend a performance.

Hats off to the students, staff and administration for achieving musical excellence in our schools.

Michael Weber, Brookville

Maybe it's time to listen to Ficker

This letter stems from the recent reassessment notices distributed by Maryland's Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Let's start by debunking the pious claims of the department's director, C.J. Sullivan, who claims that "... since no property tax revenues are used to fund our agency, we are able to provide an impartial, unbiased opinion of property value."

Hogwash! My 2004 tax bill indicates a state ad valorem tax of 1.32 per thousand that can be compared with a county tax of 7.34 per thousand; thus the state tax is roughly 18 percent of the county tax. Money is fungible. The assessors have a direct pecuniary interest in establishing high property valuations.

If one considers who profits from an increased assessment, it is (a) primarily the county politicians who can pump up political reputation, and ego, by redistributing money extracted from the taxpayers; and (b) development and real estate interests.

The papers are full of pet political programs. Perhaps the most prominent at this point would be the new performing arts hall at Strathmore, for which our county executive, Doug Duncan, is positively gushing. Not the only program, however. Consider programs for low-income housing, for which several council members seem to claim brownie points, and unmanned radar traffic monitors. Traffic monitors have the added attraction of claiming good works associated with safety, and providing more loot for county coffers. Low-income housing can establish a solid base of supportive voters who know which side their bread is buttered on.

Voters acted unwisely when they voted down Robin Ficker's charter amendments last November. These amendments would have encouraged a different set of political hogs feeding at our county trough for one thing, and would have reinforced restraints on council's ability to raid our pocketbooks.

A Jan. 19 article ("Ficker plans ballot issues, run for executive in 2006") says that Ficker plans to reintroduce the same or similar amendments next year, and intends to run for county executive.

Ficker's problem seems to stem from his reputation as a political gadfly bothering the established political base and stirring their witches vitriol to the boiling. To me this sounds like a worthwhile endorsement.

Merval W. Oleson, Potomac

We need more sex ed, not less

I was pleased to read the letters under the headline, "Commentary's point on sex ed disputed" (March 16). I like the idea balance should be given in sex ed and found Alberta Bertuzzi's statistics interesting.

Perhaps we should look at the European countries to improve the sex ed course. That "the U.S. has 13 times the teen birth rate of the Netherlands ..." is astounding. Could it be because the Netherlands allows civil unions among gays and lets gays adopt children? "... 25 times the gonorrhea rate of Germany." Is Germany one of several countries that hands out free condoms to high-risk groups? "Three times the abortion rate of France." Remember RU-486. Guess where it came from. Let's face it, they aren't as hypocritical about sex as many Americans.

What we have in this county, and in the country as a whole, are groups of people that are near replicas of Anthony Comstock, who in the latter part of the 19th century almost single-handedly set birth control in the United States back 50 years.

The members of these groups want to ram their ideas of morality, their sense of what society should be and their religious values down others' throats.

Parents need to sign a permission slip to have their children take the sex ed course. If you don't want your children to learn about safe sex then don't sign the permission slip. Of course they'll find out about sex the old-fashioned way, behind the barn or in the back seat of a car.

Would it not be better to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with the kids? Tell them that abstinence from sex in all its forms is the best way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. That you want them to abstain but when they are ready for sex you want them to be sure a condom is used and used correctly. Parents shouldn't wait until their child tells them they have an STD or a child is on the way.

It is time for people to wake up and end the Comstockery. The need is for saner and more sex ed, not less.

Bruce Hendrickson, North Potomac

'Smart pass' frustration

I was pleased to see the article that I meant to write ("Dear Metro management: Your 'smart pass' system stinks," March 9 commentary).

Ed Docal's story about the horrors of Metro parking nearly parallels my own. I had gone into D.C. on a snow day to take my kids to a museum. We usually ride the Metro only on weekends and hadn't ridden the Metro for several months.

We entered the parking lot in the morning, and the gates were up, as they usually are when we ride on Saturdays or Sundays. The only words I saw were "$4 all day parking," and I was prepared with exact change for the return trip.

We came back in the early evening and drove up to the (now-closed) gate to exit, at which point, the clerk told me I needed to turn around, re-park and go back into the Metro station to buy a SmarTrip card. I offered him my $4, but no amount of pleading or screaming would work. It took me 15 minutes to re-park, and trudge through the foul weather back down to the station.

I only had a $20 bill, and because I pushed the wrong button in my rage, I got a SmarTrip card for five times the advertised parking fee. If this isn't extortion, then I don't know what is.

I hope more stories like this will make Metro change its parking policy -- or at least get more honest signs.

Eva Sullivan Conlon, Silver Spring

Snow days: Better safe than sorry

I would like to offer another point of view to those "Puzzled over snow days decision" (March 16) who criticized Montgomery County Public Schools for closing when a snow storm was predicted.

As a parent, teacher and wife of a MCPS bus driver, I would rather the county err on the safe side. I cringe at the thought of young, inexperienced drivers like my sons and thousands of other students on icy roads in darkness of winter mornings. I worry about the children who must walk up to two miles to school on unshoveled sidewalks. I wonder at how the school bus drivers are able to manage some of the residential streets even after a snowfall that according to traffic reports "shouldn't be any problem."

I would also like to remind the puzzled that several years ago, MCPS added days to the school year for snow emergencies. This year there are four extra days. Unless I have missed a memo, teachers are not paid for the extra days. Some counties in Virginia have given them back when unused because they are instructional days that exceed the number required by the state. So why not use them when the weathermen predict bad weather?

Those four days, three of which MCPS has used this year, are freebies. On the fifth snow day I might begin to question snow decisions, but I will always side with the system when it has student and staff safety at heart, even if it means an extra day in June.

Jan Bobadilla, Wheaton

Picking summer care

Many families are faced with the task of deciding where to enroll their children for the summer. TheCommission on Child Care helps educate parents on choosing the right summer program for their child. In cooperation with the public libraries, we are distributing a brochure to help parents evaluate the safety, staff and activities of summer programs.

The commission hopes that all parents will think about much more than "weeks to cover" and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of programs where they will leave their children.

For copies of the brochure, call 240-777-4659, or visit the Web site: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ lkstmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/ kidsite/summerprograms.asp.

Christina Giovinazzo, Wheaton

The writer is commissioner of the Montgomery County Commission on Child Care.

No fan of 'smart pass'

I've got one word to say in response to Ed Docal's commentary, "Dear Metro management: Your 'smart pass' system stinks." Amen!

It's terrible that people who don't have a "rip-off pass" are unable to use Metro parking garages. The situation is made even worse in Wheaton because we don't have reliable taxi service to get to the station. If we park nearby, we'll probably be towed. If we don't live close enough to walk or have a friend to give us a ride to the station, our only option is to call Metro to find out when and where to get a bus to the station, walk to the stop (take an umbrella), wait for the bus, pay the fare (exact of course) and hope you get there in time.

Is there anything else they can do to discourage us from using Metro?

Next they will probably ban all riders who don't have a rip-off pass. Then they will raise the price and make the machines accept only $1 bills. They may as well go ahead and say, "No tourists allowed. Members only."

They remind me of Lilly Tomlin as Ernestine. "We are the telephone company. We are omnipotent."

They don't care because they don't have to. Our taxes pay them but they don't have to serve us.

Heidi Johnson, Wheaton