Horse racing is not a dying sport.New suggestions may help
I am writing this as an open letter to elected state officials who are trying to justify the continued existence of horse racing in Maryland.
The first thing to consider is urban sprawl. When I look at a map of Carroll County, where I live, the distance between Eldersburg and Sykesville disappears.
Woodbine quickly connected with the group, extending toward Mount Airy, and Mount Airy itself extending into Frederick County and north to Taylorsville. The City of Westminster is working to connect Taneytown, Silver Run, New Windsor, Hampstead, Manchester, and Finksburg.
Whenever farms are converted into housing, existing residents protest to protect water supplies and services. Most of the time, they fail and fail to deliver on the developer's promise to provide adequate protection for the resource.
On a national level, we have seen land once used as parks in the Garden State, Hollywood Park, Arlington Park, Calder Racetrack, and several others go into development.
Here in Maryland, we used to have tracks in Havre de Grace, Bel Air, Marlboro, and Hagerstown, but they've all been developed. Talk of the Timonium Fairgrounds development has been going on for years, even as the area has already grown into an ugly mess.
I keep hearing the argument that racing is a dying sport, but I disagree. The best way to portray this argument is the international growth best illustrated by the Breeders' Cup race and the global interests that cover the event.
Each state also covers other international events such as Royal Ascot and the Dubai Races. Not as much as other interesting events that occur at troubling times. Horse racing is different from the Olympics in that fans expect to get paid right away, rather than when broadcasts are most profitable.
Racing's business plans fell apart when internet gambling was approved. You can no longer charge for parking. There is no longer an admission fee. The program is not for sale. There are no upscale seats or dining rooms overlooking the track. There are no concession stands anymore.
I'm here to say that when horse racing first hung its hat on the floor of this Congress, we envisioned racetrack slots accounting for much of its revenue. Congress made a huge mistake in approving where slots go because it created competing forces within the same gambling market.
Attendance numbers can no longer be used to measure interest. There are no more turnstiles. The handle indicates that interest is still alive.
As you think about new business plans that might work, you'll find that the plan you're considering is very likely. With the Internet, you only need a few trucks to broadcast to the world. I can make a strong case that Pimlico and its history is one such establishment. I have some great ideas, but I've run out of character limit.
— Stephen Davidson, New Windsor
I hope the new newspaper owners care about their long-time supporters
I spent my formative years in Baltimore, and I'm proud of it. My immigrant grandparents settled there and have made great sacrifices to give their three sons a better life than could have been imagined in mid-century Greece.
Growing up, there are three things I remember as sacred in our home, other than family and food: the Colts, the Orioles, and the Baltimore Sun. I became interested in society, sports, and politics after reading The Sun.
A few years later, when I moved to Carroll County, I subscribed to The Sun and the Carroll County Times. My parents visited several times a year after they retired and moved to Florida. My most vivid memory is waking up to the sound of my father stirring coffee calmly to read the much-missed Sunpaper at the end of the year. This quiet morning was an opportunity to regroup on the many issues we have been discussing for decades. We have both come a long way.
When The Sun bought The Times in 2014, I wasn't worried at first. I expected more of the same, and I wasn't wrong. Unfortunately, over the next few years, the only value The Times had was occasional local news and, sadly at my age, obituaries. In the end, I took the unavoidable step of switching to a joint online subscription to both papers.
Based on this long history, I was moved to write this today to express my complete disappointment with the latest ownership of these papers. Co-owner Armstrong Williams puts his personal beliefs under the banner of “Owner's Box.” Primary owner David Smith is supporting a convicted felon in the Baltimore mayoral race. He wants our newspapers to be “more like Fox News” – summaries and sensationalism. I was able to continue.
I often think about quitting The Sun. A few weeks ago, I received a call from the county commissioner's office stating that Smith would like to meet with some influential people in the community to get their thoughts on the direction our newspaper should take.
I vowed to participate. I'm anxiously awaiting this conversation. Mr. Smith, please listen to us and let the long-time supporters of your new property know that you care.
— Colin B. Krupas, Westminster
I wonder about the terminology used in Romer's column.
Chris Romer wrote about “abortion supporters” in the newspaper's March 17 issue. This term is inaccurate. Some Americans support choice and freedom, allowing women and their doctors to decide on the best medical care for them without government intervention.
None of these people can be called “pro-abortion.” I have never seen pro-abortion advocates chasing women down the street screaming to get abortions. On the other hand, I've seen anti-choice people harass women in public. One side is not pro-abortion but pro-choice.
— Stephen Hirsch, Westminster
