FACC turns 15
Group celebrates the effort to raise issues, and Freedom's voice
By Charles Schelle
cschelle@patuxent.comPosted 7/23/08
Fifteen years ago a group of residents around Sykesville and Eldersburg came together in attempt to raise the collective voice of South Carroll.
Last week that group, the Freedom Area Citizens' Council, took time out to celebrate its
accomplishments and look to the future.FACC is not a governing body, but it is a government-recognized organization with its own charter and by-laws.
Last week's session, held at the South Carroll Senior Center, was attended by county commissioners Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich, State Del. Susan Krebs (R-9B), State Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-9), Sykesville Town Council President Jeannie Nichols and former commissioner Perry Jones, among others.
President Ellen Dix noted that FACC is first and foremost a service organization, and she used the occasion to also applaud the works of other local organizations such as the Lions, Rotary and Optimist clubs and Ravens Nest.
"We do it differently, but we do it all for the Freedom area," she said.
The meeting also included presentations on FACC's history. The group's predecessor, Solutions for a Better South Carroll, started because Freedom residents were unhappy with planing and development of the community, said Nimrod Davis, one of the founding members.
"Builders came in like condors flying over a package," he said.
After a charter process in 1998, it became the Freedom Area Citizens' Council.
"It's so fun to work with this group because it's not about politics, it's about community," Krebs said.
Several FACC members said the group's biggest impact came in 2001 when it organized a "Save The Lake" campaign aimed at preventing Piney Run Lake from being tapped for drinking water. Members organized the rally, picketing around Sykesville roads to urge people to tell elected officials that the lake should be hands off to be used as a reservoir.
In recent years, the group also pressed the commissioners to demolish derelict buildings at the intersection of routes 26 and 32, and pressed for improvements that are now under way at that intersection.
Nicole Musgrave-Burdette of Eldersburg joined in 2002 and is the immediate past-president. She said she has noticed a shift in how FACC goes about its business.
"I think the focus has been a little more on community issues and less on politics from what I've seen," she said. "Of course, I joined in an election year, so that may taint my view a bit."
Most recently, the group has focused on getting Sears Holding Corp. and Black Oak Associates to work out a deal to start redevelopment of Carrolltown Center, and has also advocated for creation of a water and sewer rate advisory board.
Jon Allen of Eldersburg joined the group in 2007 and is now a board member. He said he believes FACC gives him a chance to influence change in the community.
"It's a small, but important, voice in the community that's not represented by all the citizens," he said. "It has direct lines of communications of influence with government and the press and the community."
Commissioner President Julia Gouge (R) of Hampstead said the group has made tremendous strides for Freedom through working with the commissioners.
"I think it is very important that the county commissioners are aware of what your concerns are," she told the group. "It's the only way we, as commissioners, can help you as a c ommunity to move forward."
Sykesville Town Council President Jeannie Nichols said FACC is a "natural partner" sharing common concerns and goals and FACC has helped the community make progress.
"For many years South Carroll was not paid attention to," said Nichols, who is also a FACC member. "... I think now that there's a lot of attention being paid here. There's a lot of economic development, a lot of activity and opportunities to get involved."
Freedom Area Citizens' Council
FACC meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month (except August) at the South Carroll Senior Center, 5645 Bartholow Road, Eldersburg. The board meets at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public, and membership is available to all local residents.
Since there is no meeting in August, the next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Representatives of BGE will be on hand to explain its bill and provide money-saving tips.
For more info, visit www.freedomareacitizens.org.
