Thank you so very, very much for your editorial on Nov. 15, “Bad time for second chances.” I have lived in Prince George’s County for over 50 years and love the county, but it has gotten so now that I am not just justifiable wary, I am mad. Why, oh why, can’t the powers that be (and I know they are not so powerful) realize what they are doing when they keep putting individuals in office that are such an embarrassment to our county? We have hundreds of individuals living in Prince George’s County who are smart, capable, honest and anxious to represent us, yet we keep letting persons who don’t think the law applies to them be appointed or elected to public office.

Our past county executive (and his wife) are in jail, a former school superintendent is in jail, we have a previous delegate who was recently removed from office for misusing campaign funds, and now wanting our governor to reappoint her so she can again represent her district (and who knows what she will do with our tax money). This is just a very small sample of some of the individuals we have had to put up with, making us a laughing joke around the state.

We have almost 900,000 residents living here. Why, oh why, isn’t it possible to appoint, and elect, residents who will make us proud and govern the way most elected persons do? We will never overcome our negative image if we keep letting people who do not measure up lead us.

I hope the governor looks long and hard at his choice to fill Alston’s vacant seat. She has lost her right to represent Prince George’s County, and the Democratic Central Committee must also be more careful when suggesting alternates. It’s time to be up front and proud of who is representing us. This is a perfect time to show the state that Prince George’s County has many qualified individuals who would proudly fill this job and they are who should be appointed.

Mary E. Devaney, Bowie