Chris Core's Core Values

Boy did I goof.  Here’s what happened.
 
Two weeks ago the volunteer firefighters in Montgomery County threw in the towel.  For years they have opposed ambulance fees.  When the county council voted to impose said fees back in 2010, the firefighters mounted a petition drive to let the voters weigh in.  The fees were rejected by the electorate.  Undeterred, the council again voted for ambulance fees this year, despite the wishes of the people they “represent”.
 
The firefighters decided enough was enough, and scuttled their plans to put the issue to a vote again this fall.
 
As I have said many times, public safety is one of the few things I request my tax dollars to provide.  For me that includes ambulance service.  To make my point in my WTOP commentary on the subject, I tried to think of something frivolous the county spends my tax dollars on.  I saw an ad for Little Bennett, a golf course the county owns near Clarksburg.  Little Bennett currently is running a special:  Tee off at 4 pm or later and you can play for one dollar, cart included.  I went on WTOP and referred to this as taxpayer-subsidized golf.
 
Within hours I got an angry e-mail from John Lytle, the course supervisor.  He informed me that while the county does indeed own Little Bennett and eight other courses, they are run by the Montgomery Revenue Authority.  The courses are completely self-supporting.  Not a penny of taxpayer money is involved. He, and the others who work there, are not county employees.  A little research (which I should have done before I opened my big mouth) proved that what he was telling me was correct.
 
I e-mailed an apology to Mr. Lytle. He graciously accepted.
 
So, to set the record straight:  Little Bennett, which I have played, is a magnificent, albeit difficult, golf course that is accessible to all.  It’s reasonably priced all year long, and is almost free to play right now.  Go and enjoy.
 
For me, getting my facts in order before I decide to opine on things in the future is a chastened Core Value.