FHLetters

Last Updated 1/25/2008

Letters to the Editor

This page is for citizens who submit articles for publication. The Editor reserves the right to determine which letters will be published.

Wes & Mary Jane Toepper, January 23, 2008

Thank you editor Wiggers. We pulled up the January 2005 newsletter and compared it to the January 2008 message. Much of the mayor's message is indeed word for word the same. The sentiments are still appropriate, but credit should be given where it is due. (Blackhawk Drive)

Paula Noble, January 14, 2008
To: editor@forestheights.biz

It saddens me to read the January 2008 message from the
Mayor. 
The act of plagiarism is stealing.  It is an illegal practice that
warrants prosecution.  I wrote those words in 2005 to the
citizens of
the town of Forest Heights.  I did not expect them to be
copied 3 years
later, and hidden in the Forest Heights newsletter on page 6.  I
await a public apology and acknowledgement of this blatant
disrespect
for former government officials.   

  --

former Mayor, Prince George's County, MD 

(301) 466-1549 

mayornoble@comcast.net

Editors
Note: A comparison of the text of the two articles in question can be
seen by clicking
here (PDF). Go to the Forest Heights
Newsletter page to view the complete January 2005 and 2008 editions
of the Forest Heights News.

Delores Jones, April 30, 2006
To: NewsEditor@forestheights.biz
cc: Gloria Lawlah; Darryl Kelly; Barbara Frush; Mikulski; Sarbanes; et al.
SenecaDr

Mayor Spires and Town Council.

This
letter serves as a request
to the Town of Forest Heights, Maryland to repair and restore the
street and curb area in front my residence on Seneca Drive. To give
some background in 2004 and 2005, WSSC advised that the damage to the
street is the result of an underground spring that is coming to the
surface. Moreover, I am a handicapped, retired and disabled detective
police and as a result the damaged street poses a danger to me and all
others who travel over the the street. 

Furthermore, the town seems to be aware of the situation due to the appearance of a hazard cone near the sink hole. Due to the town's faulty maintenance, I must park my car in my driveway with caution and as such if my car is damaged from this situation, I will demand that the city repair any damage done to my car. Immediate attention given to dangerous situation would be appreciated.

George, you should report news objectively and fairly. You should mention that the residents of Forest Heights have demanded their rights to vote on the Charter amendments that you and your colleagues approved on November 16, 2005. In fact, you should advise your readers that the Law provides an opportunity for Forest Heights registered voters to APPROVE your (Proposed) Charter Amendments. Their Petition for Referendum guarantees them now, that you will give then an opportunity to vote YES or NO to your proposed changes to the Charter.

Article 23A of the Annotated Maryland Code, the same law that allows Council to initiate changes to the Charter allows voters to demand their rights to be heard on the initiation and says that when the Council refuses the voters that right, 20% of us must sign a Petition for Referendum (Referendum: “the submission of a law proposed or already in effect, to a direct vote of the people.” Webster’s) same law that permitted Council to initiate charter changes permits us voters to present a minimum of 20% of our signatures on a Petition. Anne Reifsneider and John Kennedy ran a Petition for Referendum on Forest Heights Town Council Resolutions 3 – 14 and successfully collected more that the 20% required. The People will decide the changes to the Charter when we go to the polls in the very near future. Until we vote, nothing changes.

Merry Christmas!
Joyce A. Beck, Mayor
Town of Forest Heights
December 22, 2005

Editor's Note: The news article to which Mayor Beck refers was written and posted prior to the December 21, 2005 Town meeting where Citizens Anne Reifsneider and John Kennedy presented a petition to Mayor Beck. Ms. Reifsneider and Mr. Kennedy then withdrew the petition at the meeting in order to collect more signatures and a transmittal letter dated December 23, 2005 was placed in Council members mailboxes at the Municipal Building. However, this Council member has yet to be presented with the petition as required by Article 23A § 13(f) and (g). Click here for Article 23A (PDF Format) (HTML Format).

Harry Lee, November 21, 2003
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and considerateness in sending me the updated edition of your Internet news media. This, I believe, is an icon of American democracy and it serves as a model of what and how the American media should be. Keep it up.
The writer is the Editor-in-Chief of Korea Press International

Tish Parker, October 17, 2003
To the Forest Heights Police Department:
I would like to extend my appreciation to the Forest Heights Police Department for all your fine work. Your work is commendable and is not going unnoticed. I will continue to pray for the safety of the Police Department and town. Thanks, Tish Parker

John Kennedy, June 25, 2003 First of all, I'd like to thank you when you email me letting me know to look on your site even though I have it bookmarked. I seldom remember to look until I get your emails. Again, thanks for keeping me apprised, as the rest of the community. You print the news as it happens regardless of color, race or other requirements. One can expect direct reporting from you, which I for one, appreciate. Keep up the good work.

Patricia Parker, May 17, 2003 Congratulations to all winners of the recent Forest Heights elections. Immediately, I would like to see not just a picture of the Mayor McGinnis in the town monthly newsletter. Starting June 2003, I would like the picture of the Mayor to include all members of the Council. I believe this will show the beginning of unity between the Mayor and Council. So I ask all of you to make an effort to do this. Also, Forest Heights is a government township. There are rules and regulations in place to govern. I expect the Mayor and Council to uphold total integrity in during their job. A check and balance system is in place to use, so use it.

Sharon Mc Innis, May 15, 2003 I agree with Paula Noble's comment that you should not use ex-council member. It does seem to have a negative connotation. Your website is extremely helpful to the town and I think we should mention it in the town newsletter. I would certainly mention it at the next town meeting. While it is not the "official" website of Forest Heights, it contains a wealth of useful and timely information.

Paula Noble, April 29, 2003 George - To give more credibility to your website, you should change ex-council member to maybe "longtime resident and former council member" in the intro. The ex seems to attach negative connotations to me. I believe you have a very informative website. Have a great day!!

Lynette Cameron, April 17, 2003 Great site!!! The site is very easy to navigate and contains more info that I had ever expected. Keep up the good work.

Marjie F. Lampley, June 12, 2002 On the 27th of December 2001, I called you about a broken wheel on my trash can that the workman for the Goode Trash Company had damaged, due to apparent mishandling. I stated that I had called the company several times with no success; I, therefore, called you for assistance. I'm pleased to report that within two weeks, a company representative came to my house to present me with a gift card from Home Depot for purchasing a replacement can. I wrote a letter of thanks, faxed it to the municipal building, and requested that it be printed in the Forest Heights Newsletter. After two months passed, the article had not appeared in the Newsletter, so I called to ask about it. I was told by Michelle Dyer that "the Mayor had not yet approved the article for publication." Well, the article still has not appeared in the newsletter, I'm, therefore, writing directly to thank you for your help.