In fairness, the West Towson sign was paid for from the money allocated to the construction.

Tyler, are you saying that that money could not have been reallocated?

Mr. Waldman, I think many of us frown on the frivolous spending by the county, without regard to which budget it comes from, since at the root of things, it's all taxpayer money.

As a musician and a fervent supporter of school music programs, I cannot wholly agree with county budget money (derived from taxes) being used for musical instruments, at least the way it is currently done. I grew up in much leaner times, and the school music departments then owned only large instruments that would have been difficult for students to transport: drums, mallet percussion, a sousaphone and perhaps a baritone sax. The rest of us had to furnish our own trumpets, clarinets, saxophones, flutes, etcetera. I had a simply awful trumpet that my father had bought for ten bucks at Livinston's pawnshop in 1949, and later supplanted that with an old cornet that I purchased for $12. But those were my horns, and my responsibility.

Lately the schools have taken to providing instruments at little or no cost, and the students misuse them. During the summer months most of the instrument repair shops are tied up undoing the damage that our little darlings did to their free instruments. At several schools I have seen closets full of tubas and euphoniums that appear to have been damaged beyond further repair. Even the school music stands take a beating, because the music students are not held accountable.

One of the important lessons a child takes away from music study is responsibility and discipline, and having the school supply instruments dilutes this. Money budgeted for music would be better spent improving the band rooms and seating.

Dear Stan: You make some excellent points about instruments that I had not considered. While there are studies showing the benfits of children engaging in music at an early age, I understand what you are saying. I feel badly for the child whose parents cannot afford even a simple recorder, and I respect your suggestion about improving the band rooms and the seating.

I empathize with those students too, but good music teachers always manage to find an instrument for someone who is in need and truly motivated. The free instrument, or below-market rental (whichever way it works) only keeps the marginal students in the programs.

Also, "cannot afford" can be a relative thing. I know a woman who had three children for whom she claimed she could not afford various things, including decent nutrition. But there was always enough money for booze and cigarettes.

Dear Stan: Again, you make wonderful points. Perhaps Mr. Waldman can author an article on second-hand stores offering musical instruments. You have inspired me to watch "Mr. Holland's Opus" again.

I would love to see an article on that subject, and would happily contribute what I know to the effort. Such an article on Patch would provide an opportunity to discuss the mistakes that parents make by buying instruments on eBay.

I'll get on that when I can. Thanks for the suggestion.

Dear Jim21236: Every little bit helps and I think that pointing out wasteful spending at any level encourages future fiscal discipline and accountability. Did you see the article about Millford Mill recently? It appears that the architectural drawings were not thoroughly reviewed before construction. $7 million.