Jeff, who gave us the tip that led to the purchase of our new house, invited us to our first neighborhood association meeting at the Brookside Gardens Visitor's Center. In addition to seeing all of Jeff's family for the first time, we met Mark, our neighbor directly across, and Nancy two doors down. Even though we aren't moving in for a few weeks, I already have a new social network of names to remember.

The meeting agenda was what you'd expect: a firehouse will be built at the southern edge of our neighborhood, and there are concerns about the siren noise; a condo community of about 170 units is going in south of the firehouse by 2010, and there are concerns about the increased auto traffic. The guests addressing these issues assured the room that everything was being implemented within county-wide smart growth guidelines, but no one seemed to take the assurance. I imagine the occupants in a given neighborhood are the last people who are consulted about development plans because they will likely want NO change unless it helps them directly.

From the current officer's various requests for help, it was apparent that the group has been limping along for a while, so Amy and I are ready to pitch in and help once we get settled into the house.

- mike lee - wheaton, md