FACC works for life quality

Mar. 17, 2005

Katie Champion Staff Writer

As their membership drive moves into full swing, members of the Freedom Area Citizens' Council have a lot to talk about. In January, as they submitted their list of priorities for the South Carroll area, board members were a little apprehensive as to whether progress would be made.

Some of their worries were eased recently as an agreement to bring more water to Carroll County was signed with Baltimore City officials and two businesses have signed into the Warfield Development. FACC has worked alongside County Commissioners and other government officials to solidify much needed infrastructure improvements for the area.

According to FACC Chairman Tom McCarron, the next big item that the group would like to accomplish is coming to an agreement about the vacant buildings located on the corner of Route 32 and Liberty Road.

"I can't tell you how many people are concerned about that," McCarron said. "No one wants to see it taken away ­ I hope he [the owner] will get a fair price for the property."

In an effort to maintain a strong line of communication between decision-makers and residents, each month FACC hosts a different government official as a guest speaker.

Recent speakers include Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Dist. 9), all three Carroll County Commissioners, war veterans, Del. Donald Elliott (R-Dist. 4B), Liberty High School Principal Florence Oliver, and representatives from several law enforcement agencies.

The group is completely "apolitical" according to former chair Mike Naused. Board members as well as general members represent Republican, Democrat and Independent points of view. The organization works together toward one common goal ­ to improve the quality of life for people living in the Sykesville, Eldersburg and Freedom areas.

Advocating for a happier South Carroll

Ross Dangel, an insurance sales executive, has been a member of FACC for the past five years. He joined the organization after living in Brynwood Hills for just one year and served as its chair during the 2003-2004 term.

Like many people who come to Carroll County, Dangel was drawn to the area for the strong school system and rural community. Dangel said that the home is purchased was comparable to a house in Howard County but $100,000 less.

"When I moved up here, I was admittedly stupid," he said. "I didn't do the research, I didn't know there were infrastructure problems."

Dangel said that he was shocked to find how the then Commissioners ran the county.

"I was appalled," he said. "I lived in Montgomery, PG [Prince Georges] and Howard counties that all had strong governing principles ­ I took for granted that government was for the people."

Dangel said that when he first moved to Carroll County, he saw that government was being dictated by developers. "Government s supposed to be by the people, for the people but in Carroll County, developers and builders were calling the shots and running everything," he said.

Dangel joined FACC because of his frustration with Eldersburg's lack of representation in local and state government.

"We are an unincorporated area of 30,000 people," he said. "If we know in our heart of hearts that something is wrong then someone needs to step up and do something about it."

Humble Beginnings

FACC has come a long way in building its name in the Eldersburg community way since its founding in 1992. According to longtime member Nimrod Davis, the organization was originally called "Solutions for a Better South Carroll" when founded by Dan Hughes. In 1995, the name changed to "Freedom Area Planning Council" when the group began publishing a newspaper called "The Freedom Fighter."

The organization was founded to give feedback to the Carroll County Planning Commission when reviewing plans. According to Davis, Harford County had a similar system that worked for them. While the idea seemed plausible, Carroll's organization never got the chance to look at one set of plans.

"(Donald) Dell, (Richard) Yates and (Ben) Brown were commissioners and they dropped the ball," he said.

The organization became the Freedom Area Citizens' Council in 1999 and that same year the newspaper became "The Freedom Banner" and was mailed quarterly to homes in the area. The free paper featured stories written about different development projects in the area as well as a Freedom Forum where residents could voice opinions and election candidates could state their motives.

"It served a need in the community," Naused said adding that the only newspapers covering Eldersburg at the time were two nationally ranked publications who did not have a specific focus on the area.

FACC made a turning point in making a name for themselves in May 2001 when they orchestrated the "Save the Lake" rally at Piney Run Park. At the time, two of the former commissioners had proposed turning the lake into a water treatment facility rather than work on an agreement with Baltimore City officials to draw from the Liberty Reservoir.

According to Naused and Davis, approximately 2,000 people showed up for the rally with signs and t-shirts protesting the development including Carroll Commissioner Julia Gouge and now Del. Susan Krebs (R-Dist. 9B), both FACC members.

Since then, the organization held a commissioners forum for the 2002 election and has hosted several guest speakers to keep residents informed.

Making a place to call home

Nicole Musgrave-Burdette may be one of FACC's youngest members but that has not stopped her from becoming involved in her community.

"I like knowing what's going on around me," she said, adding that it is important for young couples and families to get involved. "I think we can make a difference and I think that we do."

Musgrave-Burdette has been the secretary for the organization for the past two years ­ the same amount of time that she has been a member. Born and raised in Eldersburg and a graduate of Liberty High School, Musgrave-Burdette, like many of FACC's older group members, has seen her share of changes in the area.

"[I've seen] a lot of growth ­ farms turning into neighborhoods," she said.

Ellen Dix, who became a board member in August, is well known in the county for her work with the Department of Aging.

"I don't think that people have a right to complain if they don't participate," she said.

Dan Bicking, of Eldersburg, who manages FACC's Web site, said that the members are extremely committed to advocating for a better South Carroll.

"Ross [Dangel] drove from vacation with his family in Ocean City all the way back here to debate with [former Commissioner] Donald Dell," he laughed. "I think that's when his wife began to think he was crazy."

Dangel said that he urges anyone in the area who is passionate about their community to come to the meetings.

"I'm just a normal guy that came into a community and said, 'my God, there are so many things we need,'" Dangel said. "This doesn't take any special skills ­ if you can apply your drive, anyone can do this."

If you are interested

The Freedom Area Citizens Council will hold its monthly meeting tonight, March 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Freedom Christian Church located inside of Carrolltown Center. The meeting will host Carroll County Council of Governments President Dwight Womer as a guest speaker.

The public is welcome to attend and participate in all meetings free of charge. Monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Board members will be available before and after tonight's meeting to answer questions. In addition to McCarron and Musgrave-Burdette, Richard Nacewicz serves as vice-president, and Doug Metz serves as treasurer.

The group's membership drive is in full swing. Annual membership dues are $15 per household. All members receive e-mail newsletters. More information about becoming a member of FACC is available on the group's Web site: www.freedomareacitizens.org.