In a recent letter, District 1 county commissioner candidate Michael T. Blair suggested that the county operate our high school athletic programs in the manner that professional and collegiate programs are managed.

He proffered that, as a means of raising revenue, we allow the selling of advertising space at our schools and on the uniforms of our student athletes.

On the surface and from a strictly business point of view, some people may consider this as a way through our current budget difficulties.

However, this is the proverbial slippery slope, and may open a pandora's box of unintended consequences.

The Maryland State football and basketball tournaments provide support for tournaments of all other high school sports. We could petition the state for a larger portion of the tournament money.

Along that line of thinking, with more than 50 percent of our budget mandated by the state, maybe it's time to really stand up and be counted. Have the state return a higher percentage of the money we contribute (highway user fees), and reduce, if not eliminate, unfunded mandates.

We should not stand idly by while the state attempts to balance its budget on the backs of local government. Perhaps the $3 million recently approved for the purchase of Dorchester County swampland could be better spent.

In a worst-case scenario — the elimination of freshman sports and indoor track — our local recreation councils may be able to provide additional programs.

This would, in fact, give more of our young people an opportunity to play, and allow more time for physical and emotional development free of the pressure of high school sports.

Though I'm a huge supporter of free enterprise — and especially of our local business community — I also recognize that all solutions don't boil down to dollars and cents.

Vincent C. Pacelli

Manchester

The author is a Republican candidate for county commissioner, District 1.

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