Articles

OCTOBER 2009 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

Opposed to Cool Counties effort

Editor:

An honest to goodness public discussion has broken out in the Times on the topic of global warming. That is a step in the right direction. One should be skeptical of those who claim something like science is all settled and we just have to reorder our entire economy as a result.

I’m not a scientist, but I’ve enjoyed reading about what various policy makers and scientist have shared on this topic. One such scientist is Dr. Ian Plimer, a professor at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

He’s written a book titled “Heaven and Earth: Global Warming and the Missing Science.” He’s the two time winner of the Eureka Prize, the highest scientific honor in Australia. He’s published several books and more than 120 scientific papers.

According to Plimer “We live in a time when the methodology of science is suspended.” He further asserts that reactions to the notion that humans have caused global warming could be extremely costly and distort energy policy. He observes that the “correct solution to the non-problem of carbon dioxide is to have the courage to thoughtfully do nothing.”

Dr. Freeman Dyson, otherwise known as the “eminent physicist,” spoke about his theory of climate change at the Fredercik S. Pardee Center for the Study of Longer-Range Future at Boston University. Dyson stated, “all the fuss about global warming is grossly exaggerated.” As reported in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Dyson proposes, “Whatever inflammations the climate was experiencing might be a good thing because carbon dioxide helps plants of all kinds grow.”

In 2007, former President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic shared similar thoughts to the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. In his testimony, he stated, “It is impossible to control natural factors causing climate change. The negative impact of the proposed regulation on economic growth is to the detriment of all other possible risks, including environmental ones.” Klaus continued by noting, “Responsible politics should take into account the opportunity costs of such [global warming] proposals and be aware of the fact that the wasteful environmental policies are adopted to the detriment of other policies, thus neglecting many other important needs of millions of people all over the world.”

One might think the policy implications of global warming exist only on the national level. That would be incorrect. Over my negative vote, County Commissioners Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich approved Carroll County joining what is known as the “Cool Counties” movement. Certain spending proposals also relate back to the notion that human activity causes global warming. I wonder what percentage of taxpayers favor such an approach given the tight budget situation we face.

Mike Zimmer

Eldersburg

The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.

MARCH 2009 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE EAGLE

Dear Editor,

   It would not surprise me to learn that your columnist John Culleton believed in Bigfoot. In his most recent effort he attempted to perpetuate the myth that there is a pro-residential growth wing of the Republican Party here in Carroll County.

   As a former member of the Republican Central Committee and a member and former officer of the South Carroll Republican Club I can assure Mr. Culleton that this subject does not come up at meetings of either group. There is a topic that has come up in the past and I'm sure will again in the future. That subject is taxes.

    During the term of the 2002 to 2006 Board of Commissioners that Board voted to raise the recordation tax rate. They also voted to ask the Senators and Delegates representing Carroll County in Annapolis for the authority to impose a brand new tax on real estate transfers. This is known as a transfer tax.

     The GOP Central Committee and the South Carroll Republican Club both voted to oppose the prior Board's effort to raise taxes. I'm proud that two groups with which I was associated chose to stand on the side of the people not to be overly burdened with new taxes.

      When I decided to run for Commissioner opposition to the transfer tax and support for tax relief were foundational elements of my campaign. Elections have profound consequences. Neither of my colleagues have embraced my call for tax relief or significant budget savings.

       In the budget process for fiscal year 2009 I asked my fellow Commissioners to consider either reducing the cap on the Homestead Tax Credit or reducing the rate of the real property tax. Neither suggestion was supported.

       In that same budget process I asked my fellow Board members to embrace five different budget savings measures. Only one of my proposals enjoyed support.

        Mr. Culleton may be right about there being two different wings of the GOP locally. However, I would say he's missed the categories by a dozen country miles. It seems to me that the factions would be the tax raising group and the tax relief group.

        It will be interesting to see which element gains ascendancy under a district system of electing Commissioners as opposed to a county wide system.

     Michael D. Zimmer

    PS Jim,

          Since this letter deals with primarily political issues, I determined to write it from home and not use government resources in this effort. I wanted you to be aware of my thinking on that subject in case anyone were to inquire about that question. Thanks for your willingness to promote lively discussion in your pages.

       Mike Zimmer