50 Years for Perry Hall's High School and Library

1963 was a big year for Perry Hall. Not only did the fast-growing community celebrate the opening of its new high school, but civic leaders dedicated a new library—and all within one week's time.

Neither, of course, remain at an original location. The high school opened on September 3, 1963, at what is now Perry Hall Middle School. Five years later, a new campus opened a mile down Ebenezer Road, and the original building became Perry Hall Junior High School. For many years, Perry Hall was somewhat unique in that students simply walked further down Ebenezer Road as they became older:  from Perry Hall Elementary to Middle School, and from Middle to High School.

The original library on its last day.

The library opened five days later, on September 8, 1963. Prominent elected officials attended the opening, including then-Congressman Clarence Long and former County Executive Spiro Agnew. Many residents have fond memories of this branch, especially those of my age who attended children's programs in the basement. Over the years, however, it became obvious that the building needed to be expanded or replaced. It was not accessible to the disabled, and it was simply too small for the growing community. 
When I became President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association in 1999, we made it a priority to get a new branch built. The PHIA strongly supported keeping the branch at its Belair Road location, but that would have required buying the property (it was leased from a nearby family) and acquiring an adjacent parcel.  When that did not work out, the county relocated the library to its current site on Honeygo Boulevard in 2009. Because the Perry Hall Improvement Association negotiated a covenant agreement with the owner of the "old" site, that location has retained its residential characteristics.

I am proud of both Perry Hall High School and the Perry Hall library. Both are essential parts of our community. I hope you will lend a hand to the Perry Hall High School 50th anniversary efforts and also support our library's ongoing good work.

A Preview of Important Milestones in 2013

Over the past two years, our office has worked to improve communities throughout the Fifth District, from Towson to Perry Hall.   Some of these projects are big, such as the additions at Stoneleigh and Hampton Elementary School or air conditioning at Seven Oaks Elementary School.  Other projects are small, but will have a measurable impact on our neighborhoods-- road improvements in Towson Manor Village and Loch Raven Village, for example, or new acreage at Honeygo Run Park in Perry Hall.   I would like to thank the County Executive and our state legislators for their help with a number of these initiatives.

My main focus in 2012 was preserving open space in our neighborhoods.  2012 was a rezoning year, and I used it as an opportunity to try to protect green space.  Acting on my recommendations, the County Council downzoned more than 417 acres, the most ambitious plan in two decades in this part of Baltimore County, and the most land ever downzoned in Towson, Carney, and Cromwell Valley.   The Fifth District now has more land zoned as open space than any other district in Baltimore County.  

It is impossible to predict exactly what 2013 may offer the Fifth District, but we do know there will be some important milestones.

In Towson, the newly-renovated Stoneleigh Elementary School will open in August.   More than $38 million has been invested in Towson's schools, but we need to work to make sure that all of our schools have adequate classroom space.   Redevelopment will accelerate in the Towson core, which means we need to address important needs such as security, maintenance, and traffic.   There will be a resolution of the Towson fire station issue and also changes to the magnet policy, which particularly impacts Cromwell Valley Elementary School.   I will continue to work with BGE to make sure electrical service becomes more reliable, particularly in places like western Towson, Campus Hills, and Hillendale Park.

In Loch Raven and Parkville, one of my biggest priorities will be the impact of the Hess settlement on the Yakona Road neighborhood.  Some road improvements will occur along the Joppa Road corridor, and we will hopefully have a new Baltimore NeighborSpace acquisition near the Harford/Joppa Road intersection, guaranteeing open space for the Carney community.

In Perry Hall, one of my main priorities will be the beautification of the commercial area at Belair, Ebenezer, and Joppa Roads.   Thanks to legislation passed by the County Council in 2011, this is now a revitalization district which offers special incentives to business owners.  The resurfacing of Chapel Road will be finished, and hopefully so will the trail along Indian Rock Park.   I expect progress on projects like the Perry Hall dog park and the renovation of the Perry Hall Mansion.   2013 is also the 50th anniversary for two local landmarks:  the Perry Hall library and Perry Hall High School. 

In closing, I want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year.    It is an honor to represent the citizens of the Fifth District.

George Roberts, Our Fifth District Citizen of the Year

Source:  Patch.

In 2011, I started a new tradition by naming three individuals as Fifth District Citizens of the Year:  one from Towson, one from Parkville, and one from Perry Hall.   When I asked for nominations this year, many of the individuals who were recommended were somehow associated with what was probably the biggest event in the Fifth District this year:  the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

This year, based upon input from residents and community leaders, I am recognizing Perry Hall High School Principal George Roberts as the Fifth District Citizen of the Year. Since arriving at Perry Hall High School in 2008, Mr. Roberts has instilled a spirit of excellence, pride, and tradition at Baltimore County’s largest public school. He brought back the sense of history that had faded before his arrival. He improved the look of the school and focused on student achievement, positioning Perry Hall as one of Newsweek’s top American high schools. 

What particularly distinguished Mr. Roberts this year, however, was his calm but assertive presence during and after the August 27th shooting. During the most difficult day in the history of Perry Hall High School, he set an example of leadership that was truly exemplary.

There were many individuals who provided extraordinary assistance that day, from the heroic faculty who restrained the gunman to our public safety professionals, but Mr. Roberts set the tone of leadership that was needed on August 27th and days afterward.

Mr. Roberts and his family live in another part of the Fifth District, in Towson.  I am proud to recognize Mr. Roberts and thank the entire Perry Hall family for those who supported the school during such a difficult year.