Losing Laurel?

I don’t like the thought that someone targeted city official Marty Flemion and to his official car (and evidently tried to do the same to his personal vehicle). In front of his house. 

It’s disturbing, and a little scary to all concerned: family, neighbors, and I’m sure his co-workers. It’s a sad commentary on current society, and part of my lingering regret that Laurel is losing some of that small town feel that’s made it feel more like a community than just an extension of Washington and Baltimore-- see last week’s column. Accessibility is what differentiates big and small towns, and people like that one arsonist threaten not just an individual, but a whole way of life.

I know Marty works hard and participates in many of the city’s civic activities apart from his official job.  A city official shouldn’t feel he or she can’t list their name or address in the phone book, or that someone might track them down to their home.  I hope they catch who ever did this soon.

 And speaking of that small town feeling (OK, it’s a rough segue)…if you haven’t looked at this video documentary produced by students at Towson about A.M. Kroop’s  http://bit.ly/Kroops on C Street just off Main Street you’ve missed a real treat.  That’s what a small town business, albeit one that’s threatened, too, is all about.  Randy is featured in the Laurel Historical Society's current exhibit, too. We talked with Randy for the exhibit – did you know her father didn’t let her go to the races as a child?  And if you haven’t ever visited Kroops…well, you should go.