A disturbing first look

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

The story reported that John Mattingly, a candidate for St. Mary's County state's attorney, has been engaged in surveillance of the county courthouse parking lots and the state employees working there. Mr. Mattingly was reported to have said "a check of the parking lot outside the courthouse shows that by 3 p.m., all but one prosecutor often have left work for the day."

I would like to know why this candidate for public office thinks it's appropriate to be stalking state employees like a jealous, paranoid husband monitoring the activities of his wife. First, in these times of terrorism, to be conducting surveillance on any government facility is just irresponsible. Our citizens expect and demand to be protected from such predatory activities by the office which Mr. Mattingly seeks.

Thank you for running this story which has been a disturbing first look at Mr. Mattingly.

David Willenborg, Hollywood