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As the owner of a company whose business is to make other businesses more efficient and productive through the use of technology, I well understand the importance of reliable and stable electricity to our economy — the backbone of which are small- and medium-sized businesses.
Most small business owners and operators would probably agree that random shortages of electricity are among the most undesirable business conditions. Most small business plans assume a reliable supply of electricity to fuel production.
Though backup power sources are available, they are costly to install and to operate. When production stops and deadlines are missed, orders are unfilled and business is lost. Wages and creditors may be unpaid. Only a remote possibility unworthy of addressing? I think not.
As a member of Marylanders for Reliable Power, I am well aware that Maryland is not meeting the growing demand for electricity. Generation and transmission upgrades have not kept pace with demand, perhaps with good reason given the regulatory climate and growing environmental concerns.
However, if something is not done to assure that we meet the state’s future electricity needs with substantial upgrades to our power generation and transmission infrastructure, we are on course to severely damage our economy.
I applaud the public and private efforts to conserve electricity. I encourage those practices in my business and in my home. Not wasting electricity just makes sense. Renewable sources do offer hope for the future.
But the need for more electricity looms and must be met in the short term by greater generation and a 21st century system to transmit it. It is important that our state’s leaders understand we depend upon them to make sure these actions are taken.
To maintain our economy — the envy of many other states — we must not delay.
Richard J. Collins
President, Mel’s Business Systems Inc.
Cumberland
Letters
Like it or not, we’re going to need more electrical capacity
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Garrett has better uses for taxpayers’ money
At a time when Garrett County schools are threatened with closure, the Adventure Sports Center International’s (ASCI) executive director mounts a public relations campaign requesting $3 million more from the commissioners. (“On eliminating ASCI’s $3M debt: Exec. speaks out,” Jan. 20 times-News, Page 1A)
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Here’s what befell those who could have solved the problems
Something to consider:
Why are schools being closed?
Why has the housing market become so volatile?
Who is the person destined to cure cancer?
Why is Social Security on the brink of disaster?
Where is your doctor from? Don’t we have enough doctors graduating stateside?
And where is the cure for the common cold? Not enough tax revenue for fed and state and local governments is a real problem.
One very good answer is that these students, house buyers, medical researchers and inventors were never born. -
These ideas might resolve smoke detectors’ shortcomings
From what I have read/heard about the recent fires in the area, in at least a couple of cases smoke detectors were found in the ruins but were disconnected or had no battery.
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Your votes can help raise funds for a new county animal shelter
Please help the Allegany County Animal Shelter by voting for it at the Shelter Challenge being sponsored by The Animal Rescue Site.
Several months ago we were able to win $1,000 (towards a new shelter) by being the No. 1 vote-getter in the state of Maryland. With your help we can do this again and possibly win more. -
Keeping streams, waterways clean will help bay
The Times-News reported in December on Maryland’s efforts to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and how Allegany County did its part by submitting a local plan to the Maryland Department of the Environment (“State’s bay cleanup plan to EPA concerns clean water advocates,” Dec. 20, Page 1A).
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$3 million would be better spent on schools, not ASCI
I am a local Garrett County resident, pay taxes and am a voter. I am very concerned about the finances of Garrett County Commissioners budget and the Garrett County Board of Education’s budget.
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County commissioners may be endorsing hasty, nasty outcome
These comments respond to your reader, Scott Cline, PhD “petroleum engineering” of Stanley, N.Y. (“Unfounded fears about shale gas obscure facts,” Jan. 25 Times-News).
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Your $1 per week would help United Way help the community
The United Way of Allegany County, and really all United Ways included in the United Way of the Potomac Highlands, had hoped to complete the campaign by the end of January.
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Stand up for the Constitution and the Church
I wanted to follow up on my previous letter that ran in the Jan. 1 Times-News (“So, what has the devil now dealt us?”).At that time, I voiced my frustrated opinion with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for making nicey-nice with the Obama Administration to get Obamacare passed, only to get burned later when it came to forcing organizations providing health plans to cover contraception, abortifacients, and sterilization regardless of their religious beliefs.
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Volunteers help might ease burden of keeping schools open
I wanted to thank you for providing a place for citizens to be heard. I also want to thank the Garrett County Board of Education for hearing our letters, email, etc.
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Garrett has better uses for taxpayers’ money
