Sarah Findlay Scores on First Story
Dear Bay Weekly:
Just finished reading the article written by Sarah Findlay in Bay Weekly on bears in Maryland [“Up in Arms Over Maryland’s Bears,” Vol. XII, No 10: March 4]. Congrats on a wonderful article!

Insightful and full of good info. … Well written. … Please pass my praise and thanks on to Sarah. I hope we’ll be seeing more of her writing soon!

— H. David Spikes, Annapolis

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Stands Alone
Dear Bay Weekly:
I would like to thank Bay Weekly for its coverage not only of environmental issues, but also the dedicated people who work on those issues. I was particularly proud to read your recent profile of Susan Brown, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters [Bay Life: Vol. XII, No 10: March 4].

I would, however, like to correct an error in the article that indicated that the Maryland LCV was a chapter of a national organization. In fact, Maryland LCV has operated as an independent organization since its inception in 1979.

While this is a common error, I wanted to clarify this significant fact for your readers. With the generous support of our members, we feel that the Maryland League of Conservation Voters provides a critical role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay and our environment by holding elected officials accountable, advocating for sound conservation policies and promoting pro-environment candidates for public office.

Thank you again for highlighting the efforts of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters in Bay Weekly.

— Nancy Davis, Chair: Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Helping Gardeners Turn the Tide
Dear Bay Weekly:

• Farmers leaving soils exposed to erosion during the fall, winter and early spring months;
  
• Home owners using high nitrogen as well as weed and fertilizers on their lawns;
  
• Excessive use of fungicides to control lawn disease;
  
• Contractors not installing silt fences backed with compost to prevent soil and phosphorus from entering our streams and the Bay;
  
• Discharging improperly treated sewage effluent;
  
• Eliminating buffer zones between open fields and bodies of water;
  
• Piling horse manure in the woods or near streams;
  
• Discharging crankcase oil in storm sewers; etc.

These are only a few of the man-made contributions to our declining Bay.

To help change the tide, I have just initiated a call-in radio program on WRYR-LP, 97.5FM, 9am on Saturdays. On Gardening by the Bay, I will be discussing horticultural practices that are Bay friendly. With more than 55 years of experience in horticulture and 30 years of service as professor of horticulture with the University of Maryland, I will be encouraging composting and using compost in place of fertilizers.

— Francis R. Gouin, Ph.D., Upakrik Farm, Deale

Please, More Local History
Dear Bay Weekly:
I enjoy Bay Weekly, but it needs a tie to its heritage, e.g., a column on history! Gary Pendleton: right on. Love Bill Burton. Louis Llovio’s Love Story [Vol. XII, No. 7: Feb. 12] was great.

But why Deale? Galesville: How many Quakers in the cemetery? How did Parrish Creek get its name? Pull us together.

Wouldn’t Greg Stiverson, Grace Brady, historians at St. John’s etc. provide a free weekly column?

— Karl J. Parrish, Wilmington, Delaware

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