Residents Say Democracy Showcased During Water Tower Debate

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 that garnered almost 1,300 signatures.

Though studies apparently indicated a need for the water tower, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz after it became obvious the community would not be satisfied with any of .

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 – – 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?”