I joined Life4Animals because I had bad experiences with the Montgomery County Humane Society ("Group in tug of war with Humane Society," June 8 story).

Two years ago a stray dog showed up in my yard. She obviously had a litter of puppies somewhere and had been nursing. I took her to the Humane Society, where I was told that the owners didn't want to pay to get her out and that it was the third time she had been at the shelter. The dog originally was adopted from the shelter and was turned in three times for running loose. Each time she was returned to the owners without requiring her to be spayed.

Another time, I was feeding a cat by my work. I was able to catch it and saw it had been someone's pet and had been de-clawed. I took him in to the Humane Society and asked them to scan him for a microchip. I was told that the scanner had been broken for a month and the shelter wasn't using one. It makes me sad to think of all the animals that had microchips that could have been returned to their owners had they been scanned. They also don't scan dead animals that they pick up. Your animal could be dead, and you'd never know.

It's time to bring the shelter up to date and get fresh ideas in and make Montgomery County a more progressive county for the animals.

Rita Flygar, Rockville

Strong communities have strong tax base

I agree with the letter from Robert Fischer ("We've got it good compared to Cleveland," June 15), which points out that tax revenue can be put to good use. Not everyone is on the anti-tax bandwagon and these people do not speak for me either.

I believe that you get what you pay for and if paying my fair share of taxes will result in a shining community then I am willing. For those who are tempted to jump on the anti-tax bandwagon, keep in mind that while they claim all they want is responsible spending, the reality is that the core anti-tax advocates in this country have a goal of shrinking the federal, state and local governments to nothing more than social clubs based on the disproven theory that the free market will answer the needs of the community. This part of the discussion often gets lost since the focus is kept on tax bills and not the consequences of cutting taxes.

As Gov. Robert Ehrlich has shown us, lower taxes inevitably lead to increased user fees (I just received my vehicle registration renewal and the fees have skyrocketed) and the slow degradation in services and the infrastructure.

The state and local budget cuts have also trickled down resulting in increased fees at local community centers and reduced hours of operation. These impacts hurt us all but particularly people who have less.

It is highly unlikely that the market would answer any of this. Will "the market" build a community center, fund police officers and fill potholes? Not unless they can make a profit. A profit will not come when a community center offers access to all and serves the needs of poorer residents by keeping low rates for services.

Why are anti-tax advocates complaining that the county has taken steps to bring culture to local communities? All mature civilizations support their arts and culture. We should be proud that we can afford to provide these facilities so that there is access for those who, for instance, may never have an opportunity to go to the Kennedy Center. I salute County Executive Doug Duncan and the County Council for embracing these projects.

When did we lose this country's vision to give the poor a helping hand? When did we start thinking that it is OK to divide our community between the haves and the have-nots? When did we start to think that it is OK if the roads are not as smooth and that the buildings are just a little shabbier so long as we have kept a few dollars in our pockets?

I'd like to think that the residents of Montgomery County are more forward thinking than that and know that a strong tax base serves a useful purpose.

Marsha Kostura Schmidt, Silver Spring

Planning Board skeptical of cell tower at Pyle

Here's a follow-up to the story about Nextel Communications' proposal to erect a cell tower at Pyle Middle School ("Pyle Middle School PTA opposes cell tower proposal," June 8).

At a June 9 hearing, several county Planning Board members expressed concern that the cell tower would be located too close to the homes of local residents.

In the face of the Planning Board's likely rejection of the proposal, Nextel requested that the board postpone its decision on the proposal so that Nextel and the school system could try to find an acceptable location for the cell tower on Pyle's campus. Planning Board staff has recommended that Nextel locate the tower on the 75-acre campus of nearby Landon School for Boys.

Nextel's unfavorable reception at the Planning Board is the latest mishap for its proposal at Pyle: two weeks earlier, the Pyle PTSA unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the cell tower. Pyle neighbors also oppose the cell tower.

Cell tower opponents got support at the Planning Board hearing from Martin Klauber, head of the Montgomery County Office of People's Counsel. Established by the County Council, the People's Counsel represents the public interest by participating in land use hearings to ensure that all relevant zoning and planning issues are addressed. At the hearing, Mr. Klauber testified that the small size of Pyle's campus and its residential setting made it a poor choice for a cell tower location.

A lawyer for Nextel argued that, as an instrumentality of the state of Maryland, the school system was not subject to local zoning laws. Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage explained that government entities in Montgomery County had a long history of living up to the zoning standards to which the county holds its residents. Commissioner Meredith Wellington expressed similar views.

Thomas Hearn, Bethesda

Get math straight on cost of prosecuting snipers

State's Attorney Doug Gansler claimed that his office had spent less than $100 to date on the prosecution of the snipers Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad ("County quiet on cost of detaining snipers," June 15 story). Two days later, a grand jury returned a multiple count indictment against both snipers.

Is Gansler suggesting that his deputies did not spend time preparing and presenting the case for the grand jury? After all, their salaries are part of the state's attorney's budget, and it is inconceivable that they prepared and presented a six-victim homicide case in less than two hours.

Either Mr. Gansler does not understand basic accounting principles (employee work time = cost), or he does not feel it necessary to be forthright with the public as to how taxpayers' money is being spent.

Dan Fox, Bethesda

Tests not taken seriously

I am a high school teacher in Anne Arundel County and have been teaching since 1990. Over the years, students have commented that the state tests they take for reading and math are not taken seriously. Many simply go down the answer sheet and bubble in their answers without even reading the questions. It is a common practice among students because they know that these tests have no bearing on their final grades ("Middle schools falter on tests; special ed progress lags," June 22 story).

These tests are not designed to see how each student is performing. They are designed to see how the school as a whole is doing.

The bottom line is this: The state Department of Education has its head in the sand. Teachers know how seriously the students are taking the tests and if the state really wants to know how the school is doing, it should administer tests that will ultimately give each student a score that will be counted toward their final score.

Hari Singh, Gaithersburg

Potential budget cuts abound

Robert Fisher ("We've got it good compared to Cleveland," June 15 letter) asks where the county budget might be diminished and suggests the need to prioritize expenditures.

Every week the County Council agenda contains suggestions as to how Mr. Fisher might be accommodated. The same week his letter appeared had three ideas.

The American Film Institute asked for a supplemental appropriation of $685,000 without giving any cost-benefit analysis or indication as to what efforts they had made to decrease their expenditures or increase their ticket sales. The AFI simply expected the council to pay the difference between expenditures and outcome -- like a guaranteed ticket scheme.

The Housing Opportunities Commission requested County Bonding Authority to build 177 apartments in Wheaton at the cost of $200,000 each. County residents and county voters are given no priority whatsoever in receiving sizable housing subsidies.

Montgomery College requested $30 million in general obligation bonds to build an arts center. At a time when most new jobs are in the areas of computer software, housing, nursing, teaching, etc., frills should be low on the county expenditure totem pole. Why can't they use the $100 million Music Center at Strathmore?

Robin Ficker, Bethesda

The writer, an attorney, is a Republican candidate for county executive in 2006.

Can anyone explain why speed bump was rendered useless?

A speed bump, intended to prevent speeding from one stop sign to another and to discourage commuter traffic, has been in front of my house for many years.

At first it was effective. Anyone exceeding the posted speed could expect to become airborne and "bottom out" rearranging the contents of the car and sometimes parts of the driver's skeleton.

Then the various utilities tore up the asphalt, replacing wires and pipes. Eventually the street was repaved and the speed bump reinstalled. At no time were any of the residents interviewed for input as to effectiveness, but the bump was a definite deterrent. I visited the crew putting it in and asked the foreman how the proper height, etc., was gauged and he showed me; it was right on the level.

Soon after, a crew appeared and began to remove some of the asphalt and added it to the edges to make the bump more gentle. It also made the bump one-third less effective. A few weeks later, another crew arrived and did the same thing. Now the bump was so gentle it was useless and cars were going over it at 35 to 40 mph with ease.

I called the Kensington town government and reported these corrections and was told that numerous commuters had complained. These were the very people the bump was installed to discourage.

It has remained in that condition since then, and repeated appeals to the town have been explained this way. That the bump was too high in the first place, and had to be lowered.

To satisfy our complaint that it had been rendered ineffective, an official of Kensington claimed to have had the pavers check the bump again and it was now judged to be still too high. Any casual observer can watch the cars flying over the bump without any trouble exceeding the posted limit and clearly see the bump is too low and useless.

Can anyone explain to me and my neighbors how this conclusion was reached?

Norman L. Koch, Kensington

Dangerous utility pole relocated

A word of thanks to the Montgomery County police and the State Highway Administration for completing an important safety improvement in Kensington.

SHA engineers recently worked with Pepco to relocate a utility pole at the southeast corner of Connecticut Avenue and Baltimore Street. Outside of busy commercial areas and signalized intersections, this junction is one of the most dangerous locations on Connecticut Avenue.

During the past three years, there have been at least 19 reported collisions resulting in injuries and property damage and one fatality. The utility pole obstructed the view of the many cars turning left daily from Baltimore Street onto Connecticut. The county police officers who wrote the reconstruction report of the fatal collision were very observant to document the fact that the pole contributed to the crash.

Al Carr, Kensington

The writer is a Town Council member.

Celebrate after graduation ceremony, not during

I am writing in response to Patrick Boyle's column on graduation ceremonies and beach balls ("At graduation, tedium and the beach ball rebellion," June 15 A Father's Place, Gazette2). I disagree with his contention that is OK to float beach balls during a graduation ceremony.

It is purely a matter of respect for the speakers, performers, other graduates and their families. I was raised to show respect for others by not interrupting while someone is speaking or performing. I also graduated from high school in 1977, so I am the same age as Mr. Boyle.

I attend a number of concerts at venues such as the Birchmere, Barns of Wolf Trap and Kennedy Center. At each of these venues, the audience is asked before the concert begins, to turn off cell phones and beepers, and at the Birchmere, to please not talk during the performance.

His two points supporting the graduates' right to float beach balls during the ceremony were:

1. The graduation ceremony was long and boring.

2. The graduates have a right to celebrate their accomplishment.

I am sorry that a graduation ceremony is boring to some, but it is something that can't really be helped. The schools here are so huge that there are hundreds of graduates to get up on stage. Maybe doing something like large universities where everyone just stands up to be recognized and receives the diploma later would help, but it seems a bit impersonal.

For family members, there is one graduate who matters most to them, and they may not even know many of the others. But graduating from high school is still an accomplishment, and every graduate deserves their moment in the spotlight, not being disrupted by a beach ball, talking or laughter.

I have graduated from high school, college (1981) and graduate school (1990). In each of those ceremonies, no one dreamed of disrupting with any distracting behavior. We were also excited and happy to be graduating, but our celebrations were reserved for afterwards, with parties and picnics. There is a time and place for "celebration," and it is after the graduation ceremony, not during.

Linda Marmer, Germantown

We're paying for Bush visits

In reading press coverage of Bush's recent visit to Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring to promote his Social Security plan, I was surprised to find no mention of the fact that the entire school staff was paid to stay home that day.

Who paid for this, and for the large police presence? Montgomery County taxpayers, I suppose.

The event sponsor, the National Retirement Planning Coalition (described by the Washington Post as a "financial industry and advocacy group") only paid for the rental of the auditorium and school buses used to ferry the carefully selected, pre-screened guests.

So let me get this straight: We Montgomery County taxpayers subsidized an "invited-guests-only" presentation of a plan to privatize Social Security, sponsored by the very industry that stands to profit hugely from the implementation of this plan.

We the federal taxpayers subsidized our country's top public official to lobby for private industry. Similar events are taking place nationwide.

Sounds like something for the Government Accounting Office to investigate.

Madeleine Fletcher, Silver Spring

Visit important to our futures

Social Security needs to be fixed. Although many liberals won't admit as much, it is now a commonly understood principle.

President Bush's visit to Montgomery County last week was important for our younger workers and for all of our futures. The president is taking on "the third rail" of politics by addressing the issue straight on. Regardless of one's personal feelings on private accounts, benefit cuts, etc., the president is showing great courage in getting America to understand what is occurring.

On the other hand, protesting outside were County Executive Doug Duncan and U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8). What courage did they demonstrate? If they think the "Get off my property!" slogan is the politically advisable position to take, their lack of conviction is clearly evident.

Tom Reinheimer, Boyds

The writer is chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party.

Students should have celebrated after graduation ceremony, not during

I am writing in response to Patrick Boyle's column on graduation ceremonies and beach balls ("At graduation, tedium and the beach ball rebellion," June 15 A Father's Place, Gazette2). I disagree with his contention that is OK to float beach balls during a graduation ceremony.

It is purely a matter of respect for the speakers, performers, other graduates and their families. I was raised to show respect for others by not interrupting while someone is speaking or performing. I also graduated from high school in 1977, so I am the same age as Mr. Boyle.

I attend a number of concerts at venues such as the Birchmere, Barns of Wolf Trap and Kennedy Center. At each of these venues, the audience is asked before the concert begins, to turn off cell phones and beepers, and at the Birchmere, to please not talk during the performance.

His two points supporting the graduates' right to float beach balls during the ceremony were:

1. The graduation ceremony was long and boring.

2. The graduates have a right to celebrate their accomplishment.

I am sorry that a graduation ceremony is boring to some, but it is something that can't really be helped. The schools here are so huge that there are hundreds of graduates to get up on stage. Maybe doing something like large universities where everyone just stands up to be recognized and receives the diploma later would help, but it seems a bit impersonal.

For family members, there is one graduate who matters most to them, and they may not even know many of the others. But graduating from high school is still an accomplishment, and every graduate deserves their moment in the spotlight, not being disrupted by a beach ball, talking or laughter.

I have graduated from high school, college (1981) and graduate school (1990). In each of those ceremonies, no one dreamed of disrupting with any distracting behavior. We were also excited and happy to be graduating, but our celebrations were reserved for afterwards, with parties and picnics. There is a time and place for "celebration," and it is after the graduation ceremony, not during.

Linda Marmer, Germantown

Thanks for post prom help

The Damascus High School Post Prom Committee wants to thank the parents of students and the many businesses that donated to the post prom event.

Thank you so much for giving us the funding to provide a drug- and alcohol-free party to our students.

Thank you also to all the parent volunteers. They have been working on this project since September.

Karen Stant, Damascu

Fear trucks, vans, not airplanes

Sanford Kramer, owner of a plumbing company, suggests closing Montgomery County Airpark, believing it potentially hazardous ("County airpark is on borrowed time," June 22 letter).

I sincerely hope Mr. Kramer knows more about plumbing than he does of aviation.

General aviation aircraft have not been used in terror activities. Trucks like those used in the plumbing business have. Take the Oklahoma City bombing and frequent bombings in Iraq as examples. Yet, these potentially dangerous vans and trucks roam our streets, park in front of homes and offices, enter gas stations, arrive at water and power facilities, and, well you get the point.

On the other hand, the airpark offers a base for security, provides for the Civil Air Patrol, opens the area to more commerce, helps to relieve some roads of intercity auto travel, serves as a base for emergency help in the event of a disaster, connects Montgomery County to the entire nation, and provides a recreational site for some users. All this for less than a mile of two-lane country road. It should be called "The Miracle Mile."

Charles Spence, Gaithersburg

It's illegal

Why is it that when officials in the county face a difficult issue they pretend they were unaware of the situation and then choose to deal with it with smoke and mirrors ("Council urges renewed look at gangs," June 15 story).

One only has to read the national press to find the clear problem of gangs and the solution. The press from New York to Los Angeles and from Washington state to Miami screams the same facts with every major bust or sweep for violent gang members. Every time a group of these people is rounded up, many are found to be illegal aliens and are processed for deportation.

Our county leaders seem to not get it: illegal means illegal. It is surprising that the chief of police and county executive have to have this spelled out for them.

Wilson Faris, Gaithersburg

Where were they when public needed them?

Where were City Council members Susan Hoffman and John Hall when we gave testimony against the stipend issue? ("Vote against increased stipend for council 'just made sense,'" June 15 letter).

They were present at the time of our given public testimony but they chose not to say a word in terms of their public support of our views.

When their testimony could have made a difference they were not there for us.

Why did it have to be that way? Their testimony could have swayed that other vote needed on the council, that other critical vote to carry the measure against such a large stipend increase.

Again our council members have disappointed us when we could have benefited from their testimony. Their views on this subject are of little consequences now. For they are seen as purely "grandstanding." They are seen as purely "political." What do they now accomplish?

However, Ms. Hoffman's record on this subject is a credit to her. Thank you to Mr. Hall for his vote on this matter and his public views on his wish and desire to hold the line on our precious tax dollars.

Councilman Robert Dorsey's vote was the critical vote that carried this measure for the stipend issue and that is a vast disappointment to those that did not favor the stipend.

Voters will have a chance to review these records in November.

Joseph P. Bradley, Rockville

Hoffman has 'careful attitude toward money'

The June 22 letter, "Is there fiscal responsibility in Rockville?" attacked City Councilwoman Susan Hoffman for her lack of caring about taxpayers' dollars.

It struck me as odd since I have known Susan for years and have always been impressed by her careful attitude toward money, be they used within the state, the county and, yes, even more importantly, in and for the city of Rockville.

In my capacity as chair of the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, I am aware of her love for the arts as well as her being extremely cautious in assuring that the city receives value for money spent. Yes, the Cultural Arts Building may cost a large amount, but it is a pittance when I look at the money expended by the county for a much more costly and much more ambitious arts construction program. And I fully expect our Cultural Arts Building to be a major draw for our new Town Center.

My commission appreciates Susan's efforts for the arts. She is an asset for the arts on the mayor and council and we are glad that Mayor Larry Giammo has the perspicacity for using her as his arts "guru."

I have supported Susan's efforts on our mayor and council for 3 1/2 years -- in addition to being multi-faceted, she respects and understands the arts and fully realizes their economic potential in the well being of our city. I fully intend to vote for her again in November.

John Moser, Rockville

The writer is chairman of the city's Cultural Arts Commission.

Potential budget cuts abound

Robert Fisher ("We've got it good compared to Cleveland," June 15 letter) asks where the county budget might be diminished and suggests the need to prioritize expenditures.

Every week the County Council agenda contains suggestions as to how Mr. Fisher might be accommodated. The same week his letter appeared had three ideas.

The American Film Institute asked for a supplemental appropriation of $685,000 without giving any cost-benefit analysis or indication as to what efforts they had made to decrease their expenditures or increase their ticket sales. The AFI simply expected the council to pay the difference between expenditures and outcome -- like a guaranteed ticket scheme.

The Housing Opportunities Commission requested County Bonding Authority to build 177 apartments in Wheaton at the cost of $200,000 each. County residents and county voters are given no priority whatsoever in receiving sizable housing subsidies.

Montgomery College requested $30 million in general obligation bonds to build an arts center. At a time when most new jobs are in the areas of computer software, housing, nursing, teaching, etc., frills should be low on the county expenditure totem pole. Why can't they use the $100 million Music Center at Strathmore?

Robin Ficker, Bethesda

The writer, an attorney, is a Republican candidate for county executive in 2006.

Not everyone wants ice rink

In the interest of equal time, I feel compelled to respond to the huge outcry from residents on the county's decision to eliminate the ice rink and pavilion from plans for the new downtown Silver Spring civic building.

In your "Talk about it" section ("Ice skating rink receives support from readers," June 22), all of the responses were from residents who were upset by the county's decision, but when I talk to my friends and neighbors most of us see little benefit to an ice rink.

What we love about Silver Spring is that it is different. We don't want a contrived venue designed to look like Reston Town Center. We want open space, boutiques, restaurants and a lively art scene. I think the county should create a "central park" concept with grass, trees and benches and use it throughout the year for concerts in the park, expanding the Farmer's Market, open air screenings during Silver Docs, and other community-related activities. In the end, I think that would appeal to a larger segment of the Silver Spring community.

And to my neighbors who are upset with the county's decision, you have several options for ice skating -- Wheaton Regional, Cabin John, and of course, Reston Town Center.

Melissa Burke, Silver Spring

Put people's needs ahead of developers

Kudos to former County Councilman Isiah "Ike" Leggett for his strong public support of the original design of the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, one undiminished by council budget cuts and cost savings.

At the last meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, Mr. Leggett recalled the promises County Executive Doug Duncan made to the community that our downtown would have a shimmering public gathering space, incorporating a Great Hall equal in size to its predecessor, a community pavilion and a public skating rink. Mr. Leggett said that this vision was in jeopardy because the county executive, County Council and their budget planners have forgotten the "compact" that was made between our neighbors and the county authorities when they tore down the Silver Spring Armory.

Mr. Leggett, a military veteran, said that the old Armory was an powerful tribute to all Americans who have served in our armed forces, and that a new veterans memorial would be an important symbol of our community's history and values.

He reminded us, as Silver Spring's economic development moves forward, that it's important to place the people's needs ahead of developer's profits and shortsighted government spending cuts.

Alan S. Bowser, Silver Spring

The writer is co-chairman of the Neighborhoods Committee of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.

County officials don't listen to constituents

We have read the articles and letters concerning the recreation center proposed for the Layhill Village site. Those involved are not directing their energy where it really should be focused -- on local government representatives.

In spring 2002, the Layhill Village East Citizens Association was refounded because someone learned that houses were slated to be built on the Nicholson Farm, circumventing a building moratorium.

During the initial process of research, we learned that while our community association had been defunct, other communities were deciding that our very small backyard was an ideal location for projects -- MPDU housing, the Matthew Henson Trail, a church, and the enormous mid-county services/recreation center. All were projects that a quiet community of our size cannot possibly support. All representative of the over-development of Montgomery County.

The many LVE residents involved have known since 2002 that a recreation center was proposed to be built on Queensguard Road. Many took action to oppose these projects.

County Councilwoman Marilyn Praisner and Mid-County Regional Services Director Natalie Cantor came to Saddlebrook and spoke to a room packed with LVE residents in July 2002.

We had hoped that by joining together and doing as our high school civics class taught, we'd get some satisfaction. We unanimously told our representatives that we objected to this monstrosity being put in our backyard. Sadly, we were told why we should enjoy having this nuisance in our neighborhood.

It was then that we learned that county officials just don't listen to their constituents.

We learned during the trail process that it doesn't matter if every surrounding community objects, the Planning Commission will approve the plans regardless.

LVE has been battling ever since to have any of these projects rejected. We have had private conversations with planning officials, without satisfaction. We have lobbied our County Council, without satisfaction. We have met with developers, without satisfaction. We have gone through the required procedures at the council and planning department --still nothing.

When are our elected officials and government employees going to remember that ours is a representative democracy? They work for us! If LVE does not want a recreation center in our backyard, then a more suitable location such as Saddlebrook or Argyle should be considered.

Felicia M. Barlow, Silver Spring

The writer is founder, in 2002, of the Layhill Village East Citizens Association and former regional coordinator of Neighbors for a Better Montgomery.

Claudia Hinton, Silver Spring

The writer is a former member of the board of directors of the Layhill Village East Citizens Association.