Things we rely on now were innovations once - and needed firm conviction and leadership to be transformed from ideas into realities. This fact of life is borne out by the careers of a former Anne Arundel County superintendent of schools and a former county police chief, both of whom died in recent weeks.
Edward J. Anderson, who died March 6 at age 91, was the schools superintendent for 16 years, from 1968 to 1984. He took over when desegregation was a pressing issue and county students were wedging themselves into overcrowded classrooms for half-day shifts. He left behind a system built up both literally - schools were added during his tenure - and academically - he insisted on higher standards.
Dr. Anderson moved middle schools from grades 7-9 to 6-8, founded the Scholarships for Scholars organization, and proposed a soon-to-be-vacated school building for what is now Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
William S. "Bill" Lindsey Jr., who died on Feb. 29 at age 75, became county police chief in the final years of Dr. Anderson's tenure at the school system. The Air Force veteran had come up through the county force, starting as a patrol officer in Edgewater
He computerized the department. Chief Lindsey also pressed County Executive O. James Lighthizer to set up the county's first 911 system, and oversaw the opening of the Eastern District police station and the construction of the Western District station.
Many new county residents who never heard of Dr. Anderson or Chief Lindsey have benefited from standards these two men raised and programs they initiated. All of us are indebted to them.
One hat too many
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Torrey Jacobsen has worn so many hats that it may have been inevitable that the former Greater Crofton Council president would someday infringe ethics rules.
Still, there's little excuse for his failure to mention some highly relevant information when he testified before the state House Environmental Matters Committee last month. When urging the prohibition of development over fly ash sites, he should have clearly identified himself as the executive director of a group representing grocery store unions and management - the Mid-Atlantic Retail Food Industry Joint Labor Management Fund, or JLM.
The amendment Mr. Jacobsen advocated would block the Village at Waugh Chapel South development, which would include a nonunion Wegmans grocery store. Such stores are opposed by the JLM.
Instead of disclosing this connection, Mr. Jacobsen told the committee that he has "a small business next to the Gambrills site." That isn't true; the insurance office he used to operate at the location has moved away.
In any case, he didn't sway the House committee, which killed the measure for which he testified.
We don't question the sincerity of Mr. Jacobsen's views on the possible hazards of fly ash - his parents died of lung cancer. But someone with his extensive experience in public affairs should have known better.
