Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Interim D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles plans to transform his agency into a "first-rate law firm" with "strong, young, able stars" ["Attorney General's Office Fires 10 Lawyers, Manager," Metro, May 23]. I am disappointed that the person in the city who is charged with enforcing anti-age-discrimination laws would indicate a preference for younger workers. The D.C. Human Rights Act makes it clear that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age.

All workers -- regardless of age -- deserve to be protected from arbitrary discrimination in decisions related to hiring, termination, compensation, access to training and promotion opportunities.

MIMI CASTALDI

Director, AARP D.C.

Washington

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The qualifications of interim Attorney General Peter Nickles must be called into question by his blatantly discriminatory statement that he wishes to transform his office by staffing it with "young" stars. This attitude has no place in the D.C. government or at any other place of employment. From my perspective as a board member of 40Plus of Greater Washington, which is dedicated to helping older workers, this is a sad moment for the city.

PATRICIA JAYNE

Washington