ELDERSBURG - Some parents with children at Carrolltowne Elementary School plan to boycott a carnival that opens today on the grounds of Carrolltown Center, saying the carnival's close location to the school makes it a dangerous disruption, while others see it as a positive thing for the community.
The carnival, located in a parking lot next to Peebles along Ridge Road and across from the school, will run until April 17.
Mary Vaccarino, PTA president for Carrolltown Elementary, said she heard about 50 complaints in a less than 24-hour time period from parents who oppose the carnival, mainly because of its close proximity to the school and the potential problems she said it could bring.
"First off, it's likely to bring in a lot of traffic to this area which is dangerous so near the school," Vaccarino said. "There's also the issue of our young children being so close to so many people from outside of our neighborhood that this will bring in, who are essentially strangers."
Many parents who live in houses across from the center are also concerned that noise from the carnival will keep their children awake at night, Vaccarino said.
"This is going to hurt our safe community," Vaccarino said. "I just can't believe no one warned the school about this going in."
Mary Ellen O'Neill, of Eldersburg, said it isn't fair that there was no public hearing or meeting on the matter to allow Eldersburg residents to voice their concerns.
"If there had been a meeting, I know dozens of people who would have come to oppose it," O'Neill said.
Cindy Parr, the county's director of administrative services, said the permit for the carnival was issued by the zoning administrator based on the county code. The code permits carnivals and fairs to be held if they are sponsored by a nonprofit, volunteer fire company or other not-for-profit organization.
This carnival is being sponsored by the Baltimore United Volunteers, a War of 1812-1814 re-enactment unit, she said. There is nothing in the code that states the sponsoring group has to be from the county, Parr said.
James Dugent, captain of Baltimore United Volunteers, said the group puts on about four carnivals a year using Jolly Shows, the company running the Eldersburg carnival.
"We've never had a problem with these carnivals being disruptive or causing problems," Dugent said. "It's one of the best carnivals in the state."
Steven Jennings, CFO of Black Oak Associates, an Owings Mills-based company that manages Carrolltown Center, said the carnival company is respecting the school and families nearby by not operating during school hours. Black Oak Associates will give a portion of its proceeds to the Sykesville-Freedom District volunteer fire company.
Jennings said the carnival is meant to have a positive impact on Eldersburg and its residents.
"We looked at it as a good opportunity to give family and children something to do," Jennings said. "It's a time to celebrate spring and do fun activities outdoors."
Resident Phyllis Kerr said there should be nothing about the carnival to oppose.
"I don't know why parents would be against this," said Kerr while shopping at Carrolltown Center Thursday. "My kids love carnivals and it at least gives them something to do."
Pam Sweeney, another resident, agreed.
"Kids have nothing to do around here," Sweeney said. "I'd much rather have them go to a carnival than sit around, get bored and find trouble to get into."
Reach staff writer Caroline Hailey at 410-751-5908 or caroline.hailey@carrollcountytimes.com.
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