Laissez-Faire or Lazy?
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Frederick Extra has invited Frederick city candidates to share their views on city-related issues in up to three op-eds each month through August. The Frederick Extra will not be taking any paid political advertisements.
Who will work to make the City government reflect our City? We are a city of nearly 70,000 people with about 45% of households earning more than $75,000/year, with average household income being more than $82,000/year. More than 32% have bachelor’s degrees or above.
The City is not monolithic. Women have a slight advantage in population – nearly 52%. By race, we are 64% white, 18.5% black, 14.3% Hispanic, 5.8% Asian and 7.1% some other race.
The public has a choice in their elected officials. What they really don’t see or examine are appointments or promotions within the government – our boards and commissions or even the City staff including the Mayor’s Office and Police Department.
As Mayor, I was extremely proud and optimistic when I hired Rodney Pulliam to serve as one of the Chiefs in our City government. I was proud to promote the first African American to the Police Command staff during my term. The person earned it, but it is hard to imagine that it took more than 200 years – or 138 years since Reconstruction – to make it happen.
I was equally proud to promote a long-time City employee to serve as my Executive Assistant. She was the first African American women to serve as a top manager in City Hall. Right now, there seems to be a cookie-cutter approach toward hiring that does not bring new ideas or experiences that will benefit our town.
As I look at the make-up of our Boards and Commissions, I am disappointed at the shortage of diversity as well. It is an invisible issue, or is it? Our major Boards and Commissions are served by dedicated volunteers – but, only 24.7% are women. Zoning, Police Services, Airport, Ethics, and Elections have NO women at all.
I come from a family with three boys and three girls; somehow, I have 4 nieces and 4 nephews. I know men and women are equally talented. So, it can only be that the Administration – and the Board of Aldermen who confirm the appointments – are not paying attention.
As Mayor, I liked working with people who brought different skills, experiences and backgrounds to the job. If we all come from the same mold, then it’s hard to break out with new ideas.
