Welcome to a new, weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To read last week’s responses, scroll below this week’s topic.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s topic is:
Maryland’s State Song
For 82 years, “Maryland, My Maryland” has been recognized as the official state song. And the Preakness Stakes are fast approaching (5/15), where it is traditionally performed (it was not in 2020, however). Recent scrutiny of the song’s lyrics and intent—from an 1861 poem penned by James Ryder Randall—have revealed it’s Confederate sympathies. Governor Larry Hogan is expected to sign into law a bill this month that eliminates the state song, thus “Maryland, My Maryland” will be disassociated from the state in any official manner.
Our questions to you:
Do you agree with the elimination of “Maryland, My Maryland” from the state’s cannon?
Do you have a suggestion for an unofficial state song?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about 3rd Bay Bridge Span, Traffic & Mass Transit Solutions and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
The third span cannot be on Kent Island. There is simply not enough room for more traffic on the Island. The side roads cannot hold the amount of traffic that decides to jump off of Rt. 50. People who live in Queen Anne's county are held hostage on weekends because they cannot get out and drive on the roads in their county. If you do want to drive you have to plan for it to take 2 hours to get home. Why should the people on Kent Island be held hostage with another span of the bridge. Spread the wealth of traffic to the North or South of Kent Island.
Stephanie Tabor, Stevensville
If you're going to build a second bridge then do it north in the Glen Bernie area. Putting another bridge next to the current one that exists will be a disaster. Sandy Point State Park will become a dump overridden beyond its capacity. Adding more cars will bring more people, more development will take place and put undue damage to the watershed in this area. Sounds like the thought process is more along the idea of "the area already has been developed adding some more will keep the other area options in less damage than the area we have already "destroyed". My two cents worth, the environment, Bay, and wildlife takes a back seat to "progress" and the need to accommodate "vacationers" to OC. What a price to pay for never ending conveniences.
Ron Helinski, Arnold
I'm down in Southern MD. Would love to see something closer to me. I know they have discussed it but I don't agree with the conclusion to continue to bottleneck everyone thru the present arrangement. Love the Eastern Shore but the drive is painful from where I am so I guess I won't go. I'll just be happy not to be sitting in the traffic and paying tolls for a failed solution.
Regina Tourville, Leonardtown
Every indication is that traffic volume will continue to grow. For politicians, who control the decision, the easiest answer is to put a third span next to the existing bridges. This is not the best answer, but it is the path of least resistance. A solution north or south provides better relief for an already saturated corridor, but presents more resistance from many sources. Politicians are more likely to choose the easy way out, rather than pursue a difficult path, which may cost them more votes in their next election.
Bill Helms, Queenstown
