Ellen Dix, a frequent hospital and senior center volunteer, will take over this month as president of the Freedom Area Citizens? Council, aiming to bring the group closer to the people it represents.
“I?d like to see the community tell us what their priorities are, where their interests lie, what we can do for them,” said Dix, a retired CEO?s assistant at a paint manufacturing company.
Instead of hearing from residents only at monthly meetings, Dix plans to attend more community events at libraries and fire departments to boost the group?s presence.
The Citizens? Council has provided a voice in county government for 15 years for residents of the unincorporated Eldersburg area, where the population has swelled to about 30,000 residents.
Nimrod Davis, a founding member of the group, described Dix as a “go-getter” who would do well maintaining the group?s influence.
“They know she?s around,” Davis said, and if she “wants something, she goes after it.”
She?s made her first move as president of the council and changed where the group holds its meetings.
Instead of continuing to meet at the Carrolltowne Mall, which the council has consistently bashed for failing to renovate its abandoned stores, Dix moved the council?s meetings to the senior center in South Carroll.
“The back of the mall?s all dark, and I don?t think people really want to venture back there at night,” Davis said.
For years, Owings Mills-based developer Black Oak Associates has been negotiating a lease with the Kmart that anchors the mall so it can renovate the center into an outdoor shopping plaza.
Some residents have threatened to boycott the Kmart, blaming it for holding up the redevelopment. The council opposes the boycott, but it sent a letter to the head of Sears Holding Corporation, which owns Kmart.
Nicole Musgrave-Burdette, the council?s current president, said Sears responded to the group last week, saying the company is dedicated to the community, and the sides will continue discussions.
Michele Carroll will take over as the group?s vice president, and Harry O?Sullivan will remain treasurer.
