Building Bridges in Mount Airy

Today I am sharing a letter from my friend, Rita Misra. Rita and I share similar passions regarding schools and recreation as it relates to small town life.

Four years ago, I definitely would not have called Rita my friend. Rita was a staunch advocate against the ever famous Zeltman annexation that I strongly supported.

We were both able to see past those differences and quickly reach consensus when we worked together on the Committee for Schools. While analyzing the possibility of bringing a regional school to Mount Airy, we recognized right away that although our challenges in each county were indeed different, we both shared the same philosophy and ideology; bringing schools within the communities they serve.

Over the past four years I have gotten to know Rita and have come to greatly respect her views and advocacy for our Town. I am proud to call Rita my friend.

The same goes for many people in Town who I have come to know after the 2006 election. We have such a vibrant community filled with many residents who feel very strongly about the Town they so love. It is for that reason I feel compelled to reach out to each and every citizen of this great Town and emphasize that we must come together. I have said it this in many public statements; we must stop drawing lines in the sand.

Rita originally wrote this letter to the editor of the Carroll County Times and the Frederick News Post. However, they are no longer accepting letters regarding Mount Airy's election. Rita agreed to allow me to publish this message on the Mount Airy Blog.

Thank you Rita!

Peters Better Qualified to Manage the Town

I live in Mt. Airy. In 2005 I actively opposed the Zeltman annexation because I believed the agreement tied to it did not account for the impacts associated with bringing substantially more homes to town.

On Monday, I will be voting for one of the Council members who supported that annexation, Wendi Peters, in her bid for Mayor. Let me try and explain why:

Both mayoral candidates are good neighbors and both should be honored for their years of dedicated service on behalf of the town. But at this juncture, I believe Ms. Peters is better qualified to manage the town and bring more voices to the table.

Ms. Peters did not move to Mt. Airy to “get away” from anywhere. She grew up in Mt. Airy, went to school to get a political science degree and train as a paralegal, and then returned to raise her son in the house in which she was raised. Although her son attends Frederick County schools she graduated from South Carroll High; this gives her unique insight into the complexities of improving facilities and services in a town split between two counties. Ms. Peters has also witnessed, firsthand, the transformation of Mt. Airy from a small rural town to what some now describe as a bedroom community. I believe she understands the challenges associated with preserving all of our existing neighborhoods, while enhancing opportunities, and keeping taxes low.

I am concerned by the lack of rigor and consistency in the recommendations made by the other mayoral candidate during his recent term on the Planning and Zoning Commission. For example, last year P&Z recommended against the annexation of an 8 acre parcel that has long been designated as future growth area, surrounded by densely developed property within town. P&Z decided this parcel should only be annexed as “passive open space'” effectively shutting the door to proposed economic and recreational opportunity that the majority of citizens have consistently expressed the desire for. Only months later, P&Z recommended annexation of a 600 acre parcel that was never included in the town’s Master Plan, which includes no open spaces designated for public use, but which includes over 200 homes, aging roads, and a variety of commercial entities. Furthermore, it was recommended that the 600 acres be annexed under zoning that encourages low density residential sprawl.

At a time when revenues are plummeting and public safety and educational funding is being cut, I believe it is more important than ever to elect a mayor who will bring together a broad cross section of citizens, staff, county and state representatives, and even investors, so that we can preserve the best of what we have and pave the way for a brighter future for our children.

Rita Misra

Town of Mt. Airy resident

How Can We Do Better Mount Airy?

.....On Focusing To Improve the Economic Well-Being

and Quality of Life For Our Community

How would you describe Mount Airy? How do you envision Mount Airy in 5 – 10 or even 15 years? The answers to these questions are paramount to the next question – how should Mount Airy pursue economic development and what does that mean for you as a resident, and taxpayer?

I found the best overall description of Economic Development comes from Lane County, Oregon – “A program, a group of policies, and/or activity that seeks to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community. Ideally, it will create and retain jobs and provide a stable tax base.”

Through this description we see the dual role economic development must offer Mount Airy – improved economic well being AND improved quality of life.

Such development had already begun to take place in Mount Airy prior to 2006. Examples include the investments on Main Street, both in the "Town Center” and on South Main Street. Over the past few years, because business has grown, we have seen “local” businesses move to new locations in Town and we have seen plans for Center Street expansion.

In 2006, newly elected Mayor Frank Johnson stated the following:

"We need an economic development plan for the future that builds on our location and assets. I will ask our Economic Development Commission, with local business groups and partners, to create an economic development plan for the future that builds on our location and our assets, and engages our entire community."

Johnson appointed newly elected Town Councilman John Woodhull as liaison to Economic Development to push through his vision. Unfortunately, John Woodhull was unable to successfully lead the commission to establish the goals and objectives set out by the Mayor. In fact, during his two year tenure, he barely attended meetings. When Mayor Johnson appointed newly re-elected councilwoman Wendi Peters as liaison in May of 2008, Woodhull said;

"perhaps it’s for the best, because I haven’t been able to put in as much time into it as it probably deserved.”

It wasn’t until Councilwoman Wendi Peters was appointed as council liaison that the commission started to meet regularly and went right to work on creating a mission and a vision for the commission. In a presentation to the Town Council just two months later, the Economic Development Commission presented their vision and

“The proposed economic development mission focuses on the quality of life in Mount Airy, using some of the town survey done a few years ago to see what people want and measure it against viable options for the town. The commission will be looking to seek businesses that keep with the flavor of the town. The plan encourages a "work where you live concept."

"Councilwoman Wendi Peters, the council liaison to the commission, said the statement is a good start, and is a "living, breathing document" to change as the commission and town progress."

Within one year, with the leadership of Councilwoman Peters, the Economic Development Commission developed a plan of work.

This is how we can do better Mount Airy. Some people talk the talk, and some walk the walk. Councilwoman Wendi Peters walks the walk with every leadership role she takes on and every plan she initiates.

Frank Johnson presented a viable vision when mapping out his game plan for Economic Development in 2006, however he and his team of “we can do better” failed to execute that plan or provide the commitment to follow through.

Mayoral candidate and current Council Woman Wendi Peters understands the dual purpose economic development must serve. She understands that economic development must not only improve the economic well being but it must also improve the quality of life for the Citizens of Mount Airy. That is why she was and is an ardent supporter of Main Street revitalization, why she supports the development of projects that bring desperately needed facilities and services to our Town and more importantly why she fights for all citizens when ideas that will negatively impact the Town are raised.

We all moved to Mount Airy for a reason. Mayoral Candidate Wendi Peters has lived here her entire life. She has served this great Town for over 20 years. Many of the reasons we moved here were initiated and supported by Wendi Peters. Her understanding of Mount Airy and commitment to the vision of Mount Airy is the Town we now love and call home ourselves.

Mayoral Candidate Wendi Peters is the person we need to lead to this Town! We can do better, and we will. Elect Wendi Peters for Mayor on May 3rd.

Contributed by Guest Blogger Chris Decolli

Don't Just Talk the Talk...

Walk the Walk, Mount Airy

Four years ago, Frank Johnson and his so called team made huge promises as they were overwhelmingly swept into office. They said, “We can do better, and Together we can.” Here is part of an excerpt from then candidate Johnson’s website:

“Together, we can do it. We can make Mt Airy a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to serve each other. This is not something I am offering you; it is something I am asking of you. Work with me, work with yourselves, to create a new community plan to provide a true vision for this generation. If we do, this town will truly be your town, our town – a place to call home, and a home that has a place and a voice for everyone. Together, we can.”

Most Mount Airy residents wanted to believe they could. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing; Mount Airy to remain a quaint and charming small town, not a Germantown or Columbia; a safe place to raise our families; a way to connect to other Mount Airy neighbors and friends even though our town is divided by a county line; just the right mix of restaurants and retail so we don’t always have to leave town to find what we need; infrastructure that supports those who are already here before any additional residential growth occurs.

Every two-four years, we get to evaluate if our elected officials have met their goals and objectives. We call it an election. We the people, get to evaluate if those who were elected, have stayed true to the pledges they made, to work for the people.

Did the Johnson/Nelson/Woodhull/...Pyatt/Everich team make the grade? Did they fulfill their promises and transform Mount Airy into a community where all residents are heard and everyone has a voice? Were the challenges we faced met head on? Were all citizens called to join together to help problem solve and reach consensus?

Hmmm… I don’t recall receiving that phone call? I am sure they tried to call, but I must not have been home.

They said “we can do better.” Mayor Frank Johnson resigned in February of 2009. He only made it through slightly more than half of his term. Is this what you call “coming together?” How can we work with you if you’re not even here? Is this the vision we want for Mount Airy?

They said “we can do better.” John Woodhull resigned in June of 2009, only getting through three quarters of his term. John was the water guru, and put his faith in Gillis Falls. So, where's the water John? John Woodhull never intended to find water for Mount Airy. He talked the talk alright, but when it came right down to it, his thought was if we solved the water problem, we would become Columbia. John Woodhull was not pro Mount Airy, he was pro his own agenda.

They said “we can do better.” Frederick County has yet to build a middle school closer to our Town.

They said “we can do better.” Carroll County has yet to renovate Mount Airy Middle, or address the issue of overcrowding other than placing the entire 6th grade in portable classrooms.

They said “we can do better.” The Growth and Development Task Force, led by Pat Rockinberg put together a Town survey, but I’m not sure they heard the plea of the residents who overwhelmingly stated the need for additional recreational opportunities in Town. Once again, they voted against a proposed community recreation center/sports complex on the Rigler property, which would have been paid for by the developer, not by the taxpayers.

They said “we can do better.” Economic Development was at a stand still under the leadership of John Woodhull. After his resignation councilwoman Wendi Peters took over as council liaison and initiated an Economic Development Work plan.

So, would you say Mt. Airy is a shining example? Or more like a falling star? The results are in Mount Airy! Johnson-Woodhull-Nelson-Pyatt-Everich. Together, they didn’t.

We need elected officials who will provide the leadership, the experience and the commitment to tackle the job and finish the job.

We need leaders who have the passion and the understanding to work with the county and state for the sake of our children and the future generations of our Town. Leaders who understand diplomacy, who have the ability to remain composed in the face of adversity and who do not go on rants or tirades that damage the reputation of our Town.

We need leaders who aren't cherry picked and coached by the same motley crew who brought us Johnson-Nelson-Woodhull and are only interested in protecting their investment, protecting their view and carrying out their power-trip agenda.

We can do better! The time is now to look at the choices we have in front of us and decide if we want to talk the talk and walk the walk.

Mount Airy, We Can Do Better!

Welcome to the Mount Airy Blog!

My name is Donnamarie Needle, and I’m married to Norm Needle, my husband of 21 years. We have two children; Josh, age 15 is a freshman at Linganore High School and Alexa Rae, age 11 is a fifth grader at Twin Ridge Elementary School. Josh plays percussion for the Linganore HS Marching Band and he’s also the drummer in his own band. Alexa swims competitively for the Health Unlimited Hurricanes and The Mount Airy Ridge Seals and plays club soccer for LUYAA’s Black Venom, a WAGS team.

We moved to Mount Airy in 1996 when Josh was 18 months old. Like many Mount Airy residents, we were attracted by Mount Airy’s small town charm and thought it would be a perfect place to raise a family, away from the congestion, crime and big development of Germantown and Montgomery County. We liked the idea of being part of a small, close knit community within walking distance to schools, downtown shopping, a bite to eat or a Sunday stroll for ice cream.

Mount Airy is our home, and I’m proud to be able to give our children the opportunity to grow up in a Town where everyone really does know your name. For the most part, Mount Airy has been good to us, with the exception of politics, or should I say the political shenanigans that we have witnessed over the years.

How it all started.

During the summer of '99 Mount Airy imposed a water ban. Apparently, during times of drought, Mount Airy had difficulty with its water supply. (Really?) If you recall the summer of ‘99, it was pretty brutal and a water ban with two small children didn't make for a fun summer.

Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled with being cooped up inside all day, banned from filling up a baby pool or running the sprinkler for some relief. Why didn’t Mount Airy have enough water? Who was doing something about it? Why was the Town continuing to permit the building of new homes in Summit Ridge and Twin Ridge and other parts of Town while all of Mount Airy was under a water ban?

With a 5-year old and 9 month old in tow, I decided to march right up to Town Hall and lodge my complaints directly to Jerry Johnson, the Town Mayor. He seemed empathetic to the plight of a young mother without a sprinkler and listened intently to my passionate protest, however, it was apparent that his hands were tied.

I came away from that protest with the realization that we obviously didn’t do enough research on adequate infrastructure or Town politics when we selected Mount Airy as the perfect place to raise a family. Soon after I became aware that schools located .5 miles from our home were only for Carroll County residents and that our kids would attend Middle School and High School way beyond the Town limits.

There were many questions. Why didn’t Frederick County have more than just an elementary school in Town? Had we chosen the wrong side of Town to live? Besides, what crazy person decided to put a county line right through the middle of a Town anyway? The entire school thing never made any sense so when there was a rumor about a possible Mount Airy High School in 2005, I got involved. That was the moment of my descent into politics.

Political shenanigans; that’s the reason for this blog. Tina Grogg's article in The Grogg Report not only tells it like it is, but what perfect timing! As we sit here with only a few days left until Mount Airy's next election, the old fear-mongering "crew" has surfaced. Over the next few days we will introduce the truth about Mount Airy's Crazy Town politics. I hope you will follow along with me and my fellow bloggers on our journey to Election Day 2010, as we expose the shenanigans and focus on how Mount Airy really can do better! Yes we can!