Focus on good government
For Phyllis Lansing, leader of the Baltimore League of Women Voters, and 18 of her fellow Charlestown League members, elections are a year-round job. “The Baltimore County League of Women Voters meets about once a month. But our group here at Charlestown meets four times a year separately to discuss local issues,” says Lansing.

The league is a grassroots nonpartisan national political organization of women and men working to improve the systems of government. They’ve tackled issues from child labor and civil rights to the Equal Rights Amendment and the Motor Voter Law. Throughout the year the group holds a series of lectures on topics like state redistricting, county zoning, the state budget process, and drugs. In light of the local referendum on slots in Maryland, last month the group hosted a forum with leaders from Stop Slots and For Maryland For Our Future.

In preparation for the November election, Lansing and the Charlestown chapter recently hosted a registration drive. The event allowed people to register to vote, update their registration information, and get assistance with filling out absentee ballots.

With their active involvement in previous and upcoming elections, it’s no surprise that both Charlestown and Oak Crest feature their own democratically run Resident Advisory Councils (RAC).

Role model
Designed to act as a liaison between Erickson community members, management, and the Board of Directors, the RACs serve as a voice for the people who live in these communities regarding their comfort, safety, and satisfaction, much like local community associations across the country.

“We really serve as an intermediary between the administration and the people who live here,” says Robert Martin, current chair of Oak Crest’s RAC. “When we receive a written concern or suggestion, we bring it before the RAC and the administration, assign someone to the matter, and work on it until the request is fulfilled. We won’t dismiss a request until everyone is satisfied.”

Elections for new RAC members were held this August at Charlestown. Former President  Bill Armstrong is proud of the accomplishments the council has made over the last few years. “We’ve gotten a lot done,” says Armstrong. “Our relationship with the Charlestown administration has been great. The president and vice president have monthly meetings with the executive director. We also have 14 standing committees who cover specific areas like grounds keeping, housekeeping, finance, health, maintenance, and engineering. The chairperson from each of those committees meets monthly with their staff counterparts to discuss any news or upcoming happenings in the community.Our goal is always to make sure the residents of Charlestown are represented to the management.”

So who do voters at Charlestown and Oak Crest predict will be the next President?

According to Haslup, it’s too close to call. “I don’t know which way the race is going to go. Here at Charlestown for the governor’s race they were mostly in favor of the Republican candidate. But in the big picture it’s hard to say who will be the next President.”

■ 44% voter turnout, or 1,058 people, at the Oak Crest precinct, which also includes a small percentage of voters outside the campus.

■ 68% voter turnout, or 1,700 people, at the Charlestown precinct, which also includes a small percentage of voters outside the campus.

■ 43.14% voter turnout in Maryland.

■ 42.89% voter turnout in Baltimore County.