Year in review 2006: Baltimore County

Then: Maryland sued Exxon Mobil for a 25,000-gallon fuel leak at a Jacksonville gas station that contaminated groundwater, alleging that as much as 700 gallons of gas streamed from a hole in an unreported underground tank for 37 days. Later, residents filed a $1 billion class-action lawsuit.

Now: The cases are still pending in court.

Then: The landlord of the Catonsville building that housed Tabu Social Club announced he wouldn?t renew the lease, after neighbors complain the club caters to swingers having sex on the premises.

Now: County officials considered legislation to regulate swingers clubs, but no formal proposals were made. The club remains open.

MAY

Then: CBS News reporter Kimberly Dozier, a graduate of St. Timothy?s School in Stevenson, was seriously injured by a bomb that killed four people in Iraq.

Now: Dozier has been living in New Zealand with family as she undergoes physical therapy. In a December Web posting, she thanks the military for saving her life.

JUNE

Then: Some Towson residents say Baltimore Lutheran School?s “uncontrolled growth” is affecting their property values and their safety.

Now: In December, school officials and skeptical community representatives began mediation, and community members said the school presented a brief, undisclosed list of concessions. Compromise meetings are expected to continue.

JULY

Then: A Holly Neck peninsula developer and the county came to an agreement to preserve most of his property.

Now: The remaining 57 acres is the future site of 101 homes and 45 redeveloped summer cottages that will be “clustered” to preserve open space. A community advisory group helped select a builder and design for the homes.

AUGUST

Then: The state withdrew its request to end the Medicaid-sponsored adult daycare benefit for Doris Holland, 73, of Middle River, who has dementia and schizophrenia ? the first of more than 300 cases statewide in which benefits were restored.

Now: Holland will be re-evaluated in March by the state to determine whether she still qualifies for benefits. Her caretaker said she and staff members at Holland?s adult day program in Dundalk are keeping extensive records for the upcoming evaluation.

Then: Catonsville residents took their opposition to Erickson Retirement Community?s attempts to replace a circa 1885 farm house with a parking lot to the county?s Board of Appeals.

Now: Project opponents are waiting for the county?s Board of Appeals to publicly deliberate the case within the next month. They are prepared to take their case to court if not successful at the county level.

SEPTEMBER

Then: With help from the county, a bitter, two-year battle between the Country Club of Maryland and its neighbors appeared to be ending amicably as the parties negotiated on a housing project planned for the club?s golf course.

Now: The county agrees to pay the club $2 million to stop development on 143 acres of the course. If the club stops using the golf course after 25 years, a 45-acre parcel will be turned over to the county, officials said. In exchange the club agrees to build 36 homes instead of 56.

Then: The body of Roxanne Stitz Amick, 40, was found in a blanket along a Perry Hall road near her home a day after her family reported her missing. In October, police announced Amick was killed but released few details.

Now: Police say they are awaiting forensic-testing results; no arrests have been made.

OCTOBER

Then: Jacksonville residents began opposing a county proposal for a bus depot along Paper Mill Road that includes space for 40 school buses and two above-ground fuel tanks.

Now: County officials announce in December that they are abandoning the proposal.

NOVEMBER

Then: Tenants of a White Marsh apartment complex filed a $2.5 million class-action lawsuit against the building?s management company, claiming a severe mold and mouse infestation made them sick and rendered the homes

uninhabitable.

Now: More tenants have come forward with complaints, said attorney Mona Carpenter, and the suit will include tenants at Glen Ridge, Glen Mar and Chartley Town apartments. Depositions are scheduled for this month.

DECEMBER

Then: A Baltimore County judge ordered Sparrows Point Shipyard to halt dredging, appeasing Dundalk activists who said the project was disturbing toxic sediments on the harbor floor.

Now: The judge lifts the order the next day after residents could not post a bond as collatoral.

Shipyard operators ask the judge to consider a motion to dismiss the suit; a hearing is scheduled Friday.