Residents Say Democracy Showcased During Water Tower Debate
Locals are praising Baltimore County elected officials for acting on constituents' desires.
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Baltimore County’s elected officials heard the protests of a well-organized community group this week, leading to the indefinite deferral of an unpopular water tower project.
Witnessing the democratic process work has heartened some residents in Owings Mills and Reisterstown, including Bonnie Levitt, a county resident of more than 30 years.
“This is a great lesson for anybody who is young,” Levitt said. “Everybody is so negative about government…and I think this is a real lesson for the younger generation to learn that they can make a difference.”
A group that opposed the construction of the water tower in a residential setting mobilized via a Facebook page, website and petition that garnered almost 1,300 signatures.
Though studies apparently indicated a need for the water tower, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz decided to defer the project after it became obvious the community would not be satisfied with any of six proposed locations.
Though Levitt commended the county’s top politician for acting on the wishes of his constituents, she saved her most effusive praise for the district’s local representatives.
“I think they [the county] can learn a lot from [Councilwoman] Vicki Almond,” Levitt said. “I think Vicki Almond’s office made the Baltimore County Executive’s office look good, because she showed the public that they will listen.”
“I don’t think this was an easy thing for Kamenetz to decide upon.”
Ayanna Chen, whose 3-year-old son got the conversation started after he saw surveyors inspecting a parcel at the corner of Timber Grove Road and Bond Avenue – a site eventually identified by the county as “B2,” a top pick for the water tower’s location – said seeing the project halted restored her faith in county government.
“I feel like this is America at its finest,” Chen said. “Isn’t that the point, for us to be able to speak to our representatives, and have them carry out what we’d like to see?”
ddbs00
7:15 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Whatever. This was blatant pandering to the electorate. Even those opposed to the water tower in their neighborhoods recognize the need for it, but the public officials were afraid to make a hard choice and kicked the can down the road in order to preserve their own hides. It took 20+ years to build the bridge that links E. Cherry Hill Rd. to Timber Grove Rd., but it got built, and this water tower will get built where the county wants to build it eventually too. But that'll be some other elected official's problem because the chickens who were too scared to do it now will be long gone.
John Rickell
8:37 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Just wait until they have a water shortage, then they will be complaining about that.
Brent Bolster
8:51 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Does it not to make more sense to build the water tower in rural or commercial location? Is that too much to consider? Perhaps you may like it in your neighborhood. No one said not to have a tower... just place it where it doesnt impact so many homes.
Linda Esterson
9:35 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
It's funny how there was a great need for this, but as soon as there was some dissension to the site they secretly bought, they pulled the plug. Makes you wonder whether they really needed it at all or if it was for something else that was a secret!
John Rickell
9:36 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
When I lived in Reisterstown in the 1970's it wasn't over populated as it is now. So which neighborhood wins and looses? So keep on building them homes.
Jay Hebert
8:48 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Democracy in action? Are you kidding? The desires of the few outweighed the needs of the many. Where are the representatives for those of us who wanted the new tower? I live within the range of the Timber Grove sites, but I'll take the tower over the chlorine from the faucet.
John Rickell
5:28 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
I wouldn't mind it being put in my neighborhood, I would have a local committee to put a cool paint job on it.
Miriam Magaziner
5:30 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
John, if you want the tower in your neighborhood, maybe you should suggest it to the BCDPW. I'm surprised you didn't do this already.
John Rickell
5:56 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
I would, but now I live in the "Historic" Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore City and we have plenty of water, we get Liberty & Loch Ravens water. But when I lived in Reisterstown I lived at 311 Main Street, I'd let them put it my backyard, but I think the houses on Main Street are registered historic also. I don't get it, its just a well needed water tower, its not like they are putting up electrical power lines.
mel
10:05 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Baltimore County Executive showed absolutely no sense of leadership and caved in to a small group of protestors worried about their property values. He deferred it to the next Executive to make the right decision. A typical politician who worries about the next election and not what needs to be done.
When a major house fire erupts and lifes are loss due to a lack of water, who will be blamed then?
The same people who complained about the water tower will be complaining about the future development plans of the lot where the tower was going to be built.
If they thought the tower would bring crime and vandalism, wait until they put a park there or section 8 housing. Then they will really be worried about their property values.
Bonnie Levitt
12:29 am on Monday, November 7, 2011
I disagree with Mel as I believe Mr. Kamenetz showed tremendous leadership qualities in working TOGETHER with Vicki Almond, Tony Baysmore, DPW, and the area constituents regarding his water tower decision. Where was Mel when there were numerous meetings, letter writing campaigns, and petition signing opportunities over the past 5 months? If he didn't advocate for the change he feels he deserves he shouldn't be complaining now. Why all the negativity...there must be an underlying reason.