Activists hoping they CAN unite citizen voices
By Loni Ingraham
lingraham@patuxent.com
Posted 5/27/09
Well, you'd better.
That, at least, is the premise behind the Community Association Network.
Because no matter where you are or where the other side of the county is, "it's only a matter of time before it's going to happen to you," according to Loch Raven activist Donna Spicer.
That's why Spicer is recruiting locally for the new alliance, which is being spearheaded by Allen Robertson, a community leader in Bowleys Quarters in the eastern reaches of the county.
"People are fed up and scared by what is happening to the citizens' due process in Baltimore County," said Spicer. "I didn't start this, but I latched onto it because there is a vital need for it.
CAN is more of a network than an organization, said Robertson. It's based on the use of e-mail to provide quick and efficient communication between community groups that are facing challenges.
In the past, he said, one community association might become involved in a dispute over County Council legislation or government action that immediately affected them.
"Other community associations in the county were unaware of those proceedings," he said, "and the fact that they could affect their own areas."
A perfect example, Robertson said, is in the rural north county in an area zoned for conservation use.
There is currently a controversy over a Long Green Valley farmer's plans to build a creamery and sell milk and other products from his 260-acre farm -- in fact, just this week the County Council approved legislation that would allow the creamery operation.
Who in Middle River, Towson or Catonsville would care about that?
Well, Robertson said, the change of zoning laws that would allow the project could affect rural conservation zones all over the county, he said.
An e-mail alliance also could be useful for citizen comment meetings for the county's master plan, he said. Those meetings are already under way.
"E-mail is the key," said Spicer. "I used to spend hours on the phone and reach 15 people. Now I spend hours on the computer and reach 350 people, and I have the potential to link them to each other."
The group hopes to eventually cover all issues of countywide concern -- a sample might include approval of new development with inadequate public facilities; poor enforcement when it comes to noise limits and county code; uncontrolled storm water runoff; or the closing of a public facility, such as a golf course, without a public hearing.
"It's important that we create and maintain communication and contact," Robertson said.
Robertson is asking associations interested in joining CAN to e-mail him at arbq@hotmail.com.
Meanwhile, Spicer is asking individuals to e-mail her at dspicer101@verizon.net so she can pass on CAN information to them.
Towson resident Dick Parsons, who once was active in the now-defunct Community Conservation Action Group -- which relied on meetings to achieve countywide communication -- sees CAN's potential to help citizens have a greater, unified voice.
"I think it's an interesting and very worthy idea," he said. "Community organizations need to know about each other and work together to achieve common purposes."
And even County Executive Jim Smith, who might just find himself on the receiving end of CAN's unified voice on occasion, concurs, according to county spokeswoman Ellen Kobler.
"The county executive welcomes any effort that enhances communication between the government and citizens," she said.
CAN good
For more information about the Community Association Network, e-mail Allen Robertson, at arbq@hotmail.com, or Donna Spicer at dspicer101@verizon.net.
user comments (4)
user stevetowson says...
Nice work Donna. I do miss working with you on community issues.
Posted 8:46 PM, 05.27.09
user davidmarks1 says...
Donna Spicer's work on behalf of Baltimore County's neighborhoods is legendary. Kudos to her and Allen Robertson for setting up this new resource.
Posted 8:24 AM, 05.28.09
user dcmerkle says...
I know Donna also. I had stepped out of the Towson community scene, but this is piquing my interest again. I'm for it.
Posted 2:04 AM, 06.02.09
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement