Great care at hospital

To the editor:

During my three day stay at Washington County Hospital, I was impressed not only by the competence but especially the compassion shown by all departments toward myself and other patients. At all times I was treated with respect, dignity and usually a sense of humor.

I never realized before that humor and compassion were so closely related.

Four people I must mention by name: Mike from Community Rescue Service, Tom on 7E, Bernie in the CAT Scan Department and Dr. Sanjay Saxena.

We are blessed to have special people like these in our community.

Marion James
Williamsport

Our problems did not arrive with the outsiders

To the editor:

It was with great interest that I read Jim Laird's letter about the delgation short-changing the citizens.

After reading, I have come to three conclusions:

1. Laird has a great dislike for developers.

2. If it is not his way, then it must be wrong.

3. He presents no facts to back up his claims.

Where are all these projects that average 1,000 units each - if there are five with 50 then there has to be at least one with 4,750.

There were 1,199 homes sold in Washington County in 2007. At that kind of pace, I wonder why the developers would want to create one 1,000 unit project.

Laird should be upset with Wal- Mart - where they go growth follows.

Laird wants to have you believe that the buyers of the new homes are the ones responsible for the deterioration of the roads, the school budget being out of control and maybe even the cause of the sewer debt.

The reality is that all these problems were here before the outsiders got here, caused by the long-time residents of Washington County.

We are the ones who have worn out the roads and overpopulated the schools.

In regards to developers having to pay more, I challenge you to find any other business pays the same percentage of its gross income in fees to do business in this county.

Do you honestly believe that developers create the problems of our infrastructure? What about the all the retail stores that we drive to, not to mention the companies that bring new jobs (and people) to the County.

Laird Doesn't seem to have a problem with other types of companies that take the money and run; I would like to know what his stand is on the foreign owned companies sending profits overseas.

By the way, what is wrong with conserving/saving/being more efficient to meet the goals of the budget?

Tim Saunders
Sharpsburg

National parks are in danger

To the editor:

Do we want to see "Keep Out - Contamination" signs when we visit Grand Canyon National Park?

The Forest Service is being allowed to gamble with this national treasure, and future generations stand to lose. Americans must understand that Vane Minerals' plan to drill for uranium three miles outside the park is just the beginning.

In the past five years, more than 800 claims for uranium, gold and other minerals have been staked within five miles of Grand Canyon National Park. Now that the British- owned company has started to move on their claims, other companies will follow.

Grand Canyon National Park must remain open and protected for all Americans, not sacrificed to profit foreign companies. The House of Representatives passed the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 (H.R. 2262), which will protect all our national parks from toxic mining. Bottom line, the Senate must do the same, because too much is at stake!

Tommy Landers
Environment Maryland
Field Organizer
Baltimore, Md.