Thank you for researching and publishing the wonderful front- page story headlined "Justice for all" (The Sunday Capital, July 27).

It illustrated not only an important time in Maryland history but also pointed out the courage of the participants in this equal-pay- for-teachers lawsuit - especially the courage of the plaintiff.

It is never easy to stand up for what is right when many people around you are being intimidated into silence. This is a good reminder that standing up for equality under the law takes individual courage as well as group support.

Thanks also to Mr. and Mrs. Philip Brown, who saved this detailed information and brought it forth to share. Having Thurgood Marshall on the team was a definite plus!

SARAH E. GRIFFITH

Severna Park

Academy light

I'm a connoisseur of Annapolis traffic, and drive-time delays in particular.

There's a frustrating backup at the King George Street and Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard intersection. Every day hundreds of cars line up on both King George and Baltimore-Annapolis trying to feed northward home over the beautiful Naval Academy Bridge to Gov. Ritchie Highway and points north.

This mass of traffic originates from the hundreds of Maryland state and local employees who have just finished their hard day's work and must travel north. Logically, they avoid Route 50, which has been filled by hardworking U.S. government employees heading to their homes.

A problem in the middle of Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard holds up all those hundreds of cars, causing hundreds of gallons of fuel to be used unnecessarily, and resulting in untold pollution. It's the U.S. Naval Academy Gate 8 traffic light.

While this light permits the six to eight cars exiting from the academy to quickly exit, it holds up literally hundreds of cars from moving efficiently from the bowels of Annapolis and the parking lots of Rowe Boulevard.

I have observed this mess many, many times and pondered a solution for years. The solution should not take either a federal or congressional investigation or a study by the Department of Homeland Security or the Environmental Protection Agency.

Just get rid of the Gate 8 light during drive time. Or perhaps have a close alternative, such as a flashing light with right-turn- only for traffic from the academy.

Perhaps the six to eight cars that exit the academy here could use another exit on King George Street and make hundreds of drivers happy.

Even better: a roundabout at Gate 8. That would be in the congressional recommendations!

PETE GNESS

Annapolis

Oil problem

I have written letters to the editor in The Capital involving religion, politics and general subjects, but at no time has a letter been so important.

I am considered by many an energy expert, having served in the field many years.

I have run Pepco's customer-related research and development and served as a representative and committee chair to the Electric Power Research Institute.

I have also been a consultant on the electric car to General Motors and been the senior scientist at the Department of Commerce's Office of Energy Programs. I have dealt with energy-related matters almost all my life.

T. Boone Pickens reminds you he is an oilman. He has his heart in the right place, but he knows little about energy.

He advocates replacing oil with windmills. The problem is more complicated than that. Only 2 percent of our oil consumption goes to the manufacture of electricity. Windmills alone will not solve the problem.

We do not have an energy problem. We have an oil problem. And natural gas will join oil in short supply within 10 years.

Less than 60 percent of our electrical generating capacity is used - enough for immediate needs, if used mainly in the evening or at night. Solar, wind and nuclear energy can give us the power we need in the future, be it straight electricity or hydrogen- generated power.

Virtually all of our oil is used in the transportation sector. This oil use must be minimized. Plug-in hybrids will provide us with both breathing room and a learning experience until electrical or hydrogen-powered vehicles can take over. And that is the real story.

MIKE MAHER

Annapolis

Sullivan Cove

The Capital (July 21) had an article on the proposed construction of three walkways over state tidal waters to reach Sullivan Cove, three long piers into the cove, and a house on a very small, wooded hillside lot.

The article was an excellent followup to articles reporting the state and county's purported concern about the continuing degradation of the bay, and particularly the disastrous drop in the numbers of blue crabs.

Sullivan Cove is presently a healthy ecosystem with all the qualities the government authorities say they wish to preserve. In addition to its clear water, thick grasses and fish, it has infant crabs.

They are only about the size of a fingernail so far, and, in the course of nature, probably few of them have a chance to survive to adulthood. Their chance of survival will be greatly reduced, and perhaps ended entirely, by this unnecessary major construction where they are trying to grow.

With them will go the little fish that the herons and egrets need to live, and the larger fish eaten by the ospreys, the river otters and the recently returning bald eagles.

County and state governments have long favored development over conservation of resources, with the result that few resources are left.

Despite their professed concern for the Chesapeake watershed, they have approved thousands of construction projects large and small along the coastline, and appear to be intent on continuing this policy at Sullivan Cove.

To benefit four households, they are prepared to ruin one of the few healthy ecosystems left on the Severn River, and even deprive the other hundreds of households in the community of clean water to swim in, fish and crabs to catch, birds to watch and a beautiful place for quiet relaxation. It's a great pity.

ALISON BURBAGE

Severna Park {Corrections:} {Status:}

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Story Source: Capital (Annapolis)