The yelping in Maplewood
I was stunned by my experiences with Maplewood civil servants. They seem to operate similar to the old West — those living in this town the longest and their enforcers were taking the spirit of the law into their own hands as cowboys did. They hoped to run all newcomers out if they do not do it their way.
I am happy to see a mayor that is willing to take the heat and change a dysfunctional, patronizing system. Change is difficult, and as a Jewish parable says, throw a rock into a pack of dogs and the one that yelps got hit. Those who are yelping are the ones who need to change to better the city of Maplewood.
JULIE BINKO
Maplewood

In order in Maplewood
Mary Flister ("What's next," Nov. 20), John Nephew ("Taxing the poor to aid the rich," Nov. 21) and Jeremy M. Yarwood ("Get involved," Dec. 3) falsely accuse the Maplewood City Council of attempting to fool the people by voting at 2 a.m.
The order of the council agenda is clearly defined and established according to strict city policy. The order of business came up exactly where it should have.
Many people were in attendance from 11:30 p.m. to past 1 a.m. Understandably, most were not interested in "hiring an outside agency" to do the council's job. Doing so represented a waste of time and taxpayers' money.
Interestingly, Will Rossbach could have moved the issue to a later date (as he had done with the Environmental Committee Selection process).
Ultimately, the process of hiring a city manager comes down to a council vote.
Jeremy M. Yarwood is correct. Get involved in local politics – and get the truth.
DAVE HAFNER
Maplewood