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.