Turmoil Grows in Forest Heights

"Her whole motive is to destroy this town," said Andrea McCutcheon, 47, a resident who is participating in a campaign to oust Beck.

To supporters, Beck is an honest, straightforward crusader who pulls no punches. She is bent on reforming the council and ensuring that the town's funds are spent wisely, they said, even if that means using harsh tactics.

The infighting has become so bitter that the town's leaders are unable to agree on a plan to fix the leaking roof of the town hall.

"Must we wear raincoats to attend a meeting?" Reifsneider wrote in this month's town newsletter.

Beck has lived in Forest Heights for 32 years and has spent much of her working life in the Prince George's government in various positions, including co-chairing the county police chief's Citizens Advisory Council. She's currently the director of community capacity building for the county police department.

It was a Prince George's police officer who killed Beck's 18-year-old son, Raja, a decade ago. At the time, police said, an officer ordered Raja Beck, who was coming out of a house wearing a ski mask, to stop and drop his handgun. Beck pointed the gun at the officer, who fired several times, police said. The officer was cleared of wrongdoing.

"Anything of that nature would have some change on a mother, on her viewpoints," said Reifsneider, who helped comfort Beck.

But Beck, she added, stayed focused on her job and on her activism in the community. For example, she remained on the town's recreational council and eventually took great interest in public safety issues.

When she joined the Town Council in 2003, "she was outspoken as to what she thought was right and wrong," Reifsneider said. Beck, for example, thought the hiring of a town manager was ill advised. And after she was elected, she wanted to make sure money was spent on the town's immediate needs, such as the leaky roof.

"She's trying to reform the council in order to get the things done," Reifsneider said. "But all they do is sit down and argue."

That's why in June, Beck threatened to stop town services, including trash collection and police patrols, if the council did not settle on a $1.3 million spending plan. The tactic worked, and at the 11th hour, the council approved the budget.

At the time, she said the council members "have chosen to be spoiled little boys, blocking my ability to move on the budget and my ability to administer the business of the town."