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FredEx Asks, Alderman Candidates Answer

Join us for the mayoral debate on Aug. 21 at Frederick Community College, starting at 7 p.m. The primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 12. All early voting will take place at the Frederick Senior Center, 1440 Taney Avenue on Friday, Aug. 25, from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 26, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The Frederick Extra asked all candidates running for Frederick city mayor and board of aldermen to answer five questions. Although the Republicans only have five candidates who move straight to the general, The Frederick Extra included them, as well. Below are the alderman candidate responses, minus Democrats Antonio Bowen and Kim Williams, and Republicans Katy Bowersox and Bruce Blatchley.

Candidates received the following questions on Aug. 10:

1. Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

2. What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

3. How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

4. Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

5. Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Mulllinix Park Problems

City Bid Process

City Hall Communications

Magnolia Avenue Overlay

Democrats

Todd Anderson

Email: Todd@andersonforfrederick.com Website: AndersonForFrederick.com Facebook: toddandersonforalderman Twitter: @toddforalderman Instagram: @andersonforfrederick

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

1. I can't continue to complain about issues in the city without making an effort to make things better. I've noticed there are a number concerns that never seem to get addressed in the City of Frederick. So after 9 years of complaining about the issues, I decided it was time to get more involved.

2. I am qualified. Government and politics are at the center of my entire educational and professional career.

I have spent more than half of my 50 years both studying how government operates and working at both the local and federal level to ensure the most efficient and effective ways to provide government services so as not to waste the tax dollars that are funding them.

3. Frederick is a pretty awesome place to live, and I want to be more engaged to help keep it that way. I immediately fell in love with this city. In fact, for the first 6 months my wife and I lived here, we felt like we were on vacation. From the hip, historic downtown to the various festivals and events that occur throughout the year, to the people who make this city what it is.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

Frederick County is responsible for our schools, but we are responsible for our own smart growth. We have to ask ourselves what comes first, adequate schools or more residential development.

We know the County doesn’t redistrict lightly (and for good reason). We also know that it takes at least 5 years to get a new school or major school improvement funded. With that knowledge in mind, the city should:

●Improve our ordinances regarding adequate public facilities, including schools.

Too many of our elementary schools are at over capacity. While redistricting and the new Butterfly Ridge school will help with some of the concerns at Hillcrest Elementary, Waverly Elementary will still be at over capacity. Spring Ridge Elementary is currently at 78% capacity and according to the new Eastchurch development approval the school will also be at over-capacity. Yet, in the staff report, the project was conditionally approved, without any mention of school concerns.

●Modify the Zoning Map Amendment and Site Plan Application to include more information. Particularly in regards to residential use. Require that the applicant provide an estimated number of townhouse, single-family and multi-family units and a list of the schools that will be affected by residential development. to include more information. Particularly in regards to residential use. Require that the applicant provide an estimated number of townhouse, single-family and multi-family units and a list of the schools that will be affected by residential development.

●Be better stewards of our tax dollars. The city sold 12 acres of Hargett Farm to the school system for $1 in 2012. The sale agreement required that the school board use the land for a new school site. But, it didn't specify when the school must be funded or built. Hillcrest Elementary, Waverly Elementary, and Orchard Grove Elementary could all have benefited from a concession that stated a funding and building deadline. Instead, parents had to start lobbying and grassroots efforts to get the school board to fund the much needed and opening at capacity Butterfly Ridge.

An entire generation of our children are learning out of portables. A caution light should be recognized at the earliest stages and checked throughout the entire residential development process. The city must play an active role in planning and advocating for our schools and it starts with our Planning Commission because they are the first step in new construction approvals.

I don’t believe that requiring developers to build or improve schools to immediately meet the needs of the community they are creating will stall growth. I’m all for growth, but if there isn’t a school that can support an immediate development project—we’re not growing smart.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Attracting young people and creating a sustainable local job base will improve the lives of young people in the City of Frederick. You can read my thought on that in the answers I provided to the Young Democrats.

The fastest growing segment of the homeless population are families. The primary cause of family homelessness is lack of affordable housing and insufficient job opportunities.

To help young professionals we should:

●Look beyond a minimum wage increase. There are employment opportunities that require some training but not a bachelor’s degree. Middle-skill jobs require education beyond high school but not a four-year degree. These jobs are good jobs. We need to support our Economic Development Department in finding them.

●Traditional tools, such as the Section 8 housing program and vouchers aren’t enough to solve our need for permanent affordable housing.

● For all of our residents to learn the skills required of the 21st century workforce.

● For example, the Housing First concept has shown great results in reducing homelessness in several cities and states. I believe it is worth exploring.

Along with affordable housing and good jobs, families need services that assess and provide for many other needs including food, transportation, trauma-informed care, child care, and after-school programs.

●We can better use the large amounts of civic data available to find solutions for the challenges affecting low-income families. We can also improve delivery of government services and increase access to opportunity through better communication and interaction with residents online.

●to the Frederick Community Action Agency, the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County, and numerous other charitable organizations.

● in the city to address the city’s unmet needs for infrastructure and services by identifying and assessing potential partnerships to finance initiatives.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

The city workforce, including the police department must reflect our city demographics.

We need to do better and work to build diversity in age, ethnicity, gender and race within our city staff, throughout our various boards, and particularly in management positions.

Studies have shown that organizations that encourage diversity, especially in leadership positions create a culture that is more collaborative and better at problem solving. Having an inclusive and diverse city workforce is not only the right thing to do, but it also brings a lot of benefits including:

●It provides the opportunity for access to a broader array of viewpoints;

●It increases tolerance for different traditions and ideas; and

●It leads to greater productivity, improved performance and a city government that is more responsive to all residents.

It is important to note that a diverse workforce will also bring more challenges particularly in communications. But, with a solid “Communications Master Plan” we would be able to address many of the challenges effectively. The plan would also outline our city culture.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Mulllinix Park Problems: The problems affecting Mullinix Park are not unique to that location. In addition to the traditional approaches such as increased police presence and expanded lighting and surveillance cameras, we need to consider other, more innovative ways to keep our parks safe. Below are just a few examples to consider:

  • Do More Community Policing. This involves collaboration between the police and the residents to identify and solve problems, usually requiring officer patrols to be assigned to one area of the city.

  • Introduce a Park Patrol program. Volunteers are trained by law enforcement on ways they can assist the department in keeping the parks safe, especially after dark.

  • Consider a Summer Night Lights program. The City of Los Angeles introduced this program in which parks and recreation centers remain open until 11:00 p.m., and volunteers and staff facilitate safe, healthy activities for children and families. At these events, city and county departments and nonprofit organizations provide everything from nutritious meals to Zumba lessons.

  • Support Public Art like “Fight Crime with Neon.” A couple of artists in Philadelphia installed a “neon mural” in a South Philly block. The mural is now a social-media destination after dark, which brings more eyes on the street when the area needs it the most. While neon art may not be the right answer, creative solutions should always be considered. You can view the art work here.

City Bid Process: With the recent concern regarding the bid process documented in The Frederick Extra, it’s time for the city to take a hard look at its entire current procurement process for both contracts and grants.

As someone who regularly submits proposals to the federal government and who also has experience developing requests for proposals (RFPs) at the local government level, we need a process that is open, fair, and ensures that the city receives the best possible service for our tax dollars. Some of the best practices in the bidding or grant application process are:

  • Provide as much information to the bidders as possible. By including as much information about the project and the scoring process as possible, the quality of the bids received will increase.

  • Ensure the submission process is easy to follow. This includes:

  • Making sure the instructions are clear and not open to interpretation;

  • Clearly stating due dates and times;

  • Providing instructions on page limits, font size, file format and the preferred method of submission.

  • Utilize a “best value” rather than “low price, technically acceptable” approach whenever possible. The “best value” approach, which is used by numerous cities, states and the federal government considers factors other than simply price, such as quality and expertise. This allows for participation of more qualified vendors and contractors and it opens the city’s procurement process to more businesses, including minority, women, and disabled-owned firms.

  • Ensure that the RFP requires bidders to provide more than simply their cost to perform the work. This should include how bidders will:

  • Perform the work on time and within budget;

  • Manage the project team;

  • Bring qualified personnel to the project;

  • Ensure the quality of the work product; and

  • Describe how they have recently performed similar work in size and scope.

  • Implement a weighted scoring system to measure the proposal responses based on the items listed above. Depending on the work that is needed to be performed, each of the items listed may be more important than the other. A weighted scoring system ensures that the appropriate element of the proposal is given priority.

  • Create a grant review committee. This group would be made up of city staff, subject matter experts, and interested citizens who can review all grant applications and make an informed decision based on the need or problem that the grant is intended to address.

City Hall Communications Is there a Communications/Media Policy? It’s been 9 months, how long does a policy like that take to draft? Does the media still have to go through the Public Information Coordinator? I found nothing of relevance on the city website. In order for the city to be more open and transparent, the city needs to do a better job of communicating with its residents, businesses, and media. Some ideas I have advocated for in this campaign include:

  • Leveraging the latest technologies and tools including mobile apps, open data, citizen engagement and social media tools to keep our residents better informed and engaged.

  • Focusing on timely and clear communication between city leadership and its citizens to create a culture of openness, something that is deeply desired by taxpayers; and

  • Implementing a city-wide Performance Management Program to measure the effectiveness of all city services and post the results of their performance on a city dashboard where residents can view the results in real time. See the City of Portland’s website for an example: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/cbo/67122m

Magnolia Avenue Overlay Given the results of the recent decision, we need to look at our current land use codes to ensure that the history and character of our existing neighborhoods are conserved, while at the same time respecting the rights of individual property owners.

Let’s look at how other cities have addressed this issue. For example, Raleigh, North Carolina has instituted a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD). An NCOD is a zoning overlay district intended to preserve and enhance the general quality and appearance of established neighborhoods by regulating built environmental characteristics such as:

●lot size and frontage;

●building setback; and

●building height.

This type of district reduces conflicts between new construction and existing development, encourages compatible infill development, and discourages demolition.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

In the last month, I have watched videos of the last 2 Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meetings and the video of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on August 10th. Over the past year, I have attended approximately 6 Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meetings and Workshops and viewed over 10 online.

Are you a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

No, I have not had the opportunity to serve on a board or commission, however I have served on a number of committees for organizations within the city including:

●Celebrate Frederick’s Entertainment Committee

●Frederick Film & Music Festival

Jeannette Bartelt

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

To represent all the citizens of Frederick, young and old, to assure services are equally distributed.

To make our city a safer place to walk and bike (e.g., sidewalks in a large portion of the city that are in need of repair make Seniors feel unsafe).

To bring all parts of the city working together as Community so that we own the end result and the joy it brings to the neighborhood.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

First start by requiring builders to pay for the full construction of schools. There should be a plan in place to eliminate portables. Here again we can ask the community to volunteer their skills to finish off the interior of new school construction.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Start with “Housing First”. Offer more before and after school programs. When children have a permanent home they thrive in all areas of their lives.

Bring back the “Big Brother, Big Sister” program. Fund the “IBM”(I Believe in Me) so they can expand their program.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Our city and police force should reflect the diversity of our city. All employees should go through sensitivity Training. Realize the benefits that diversity brings to all of us, it brings Harmony in our community.

I believe the city should work with the owners to come up with a plan that works for both. Perhaps leaving the outer shell while changing the interior. The new homes that are being built in the neighborhood blend in nicely and so should 210 Magnolia Ave.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

I have watched 2 meetings in the past month. I have attended between 13-17 meetings in the past year.

Are you a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

I am not a member of any board or commission. I was President of my HOA for 4 years. I was the local “Move On” Organizer for 3 years organizing marches and rallies. I regularly attend meetings of the Commission of Aging, the Commission on Homelessness, and the “Peace and Justice Group”.

Kris Fair

Email: info@krisfair.com Website: krisfair.com Facebook: friendsofkrisfair Twitter: @FriendsofKFair Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCk49xGe3fEuxLQx9sOGTtSA Instagram: friendsofkrisfair

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

Over two years ago I began a listening tour with Frederick City residents. I met with dozens of community leaders, elected officials, residents, business owners, Neighborhood Advisory Councils, and more. Throughout that time, I heard common threads running from The Golden Mile to East Frederick; from Market Street to Oppossumtown Pike to Jefferson Street. My campaign merged those threads into three general concepts:

  1. The need to enhance our city infrastructure.

  2. The need to create a more efficient and responsive government.

  3. The need to provide equitable services around the city.

What does that mean? Let’s break down each into concrete ideas on how to strengthen every neighborhood.

Enhancing Our City Infrastructure

My first proposal is to create a neighborhood enhancement commission. This commission would help solicit citizen feedback on projects that are in desperate need of repair. That includes streetscapes, public art, parks, recreational facilities, city owned properties and much more. The commission would take public comment and personal experience into account and assist the mayor in creating their public infrastructure budget each year.

Second, I would propose a better investment option for our property owners to repair sidewalks that have fallen into dilapidation. Instead of simply fining property owners, we can identify ways of providing property owners with tax incentives and repair entire sections of the city at once.

Third, we need a comprehensive plan to address blighted properties. My idea is to take a three prong approach that will both disincentivize the property owner while incentivizing the entrepreneurs in our community. First, we need to codify a list of qualities that earn a property the blighted designation. Second, we need to then create special requirements to encourage the property owner to bring the property up to code with steep fines for noncompliance. Finally, we need to utilize our department of economic development to assist in identifying entrepreneurs that want to purchase and rehabilitate these properties. Using our tax code, we can incentivize these buyers into purchasing these blighted properties and rehabilitating them.

Creating a More Efficient and Responsive Government

First, we need to codify and strengthen the city relationship with our Neighborhood Advisory Councils. As a NAC coordinator I can say that there is a limited connection between the meetings that are held on a monthly basis and city hall. I believe that the mayor and board need to have bi-annual meetings with NAC coordinators to understand what challenges are happening around the city.

Second, we will develop an Interactive Online Map portal that will allow visitors to see, in real time, current city projects, their location, and a quick reference to what stage the development project is in. This will include pertinent data, such as hearing dates, staff reports, and commission reports. Additionally, information about the development process will be streamlined on the City website assisting both project contractors and interested citizens.

Ensuring Equitable Services

First, working with the Neighborhood Advisory Councils, the Golden Mile Alliance, Frederick City Police Department, Asian American Center of Frederick County, Centro Hispano de Frederick, and business owners, the City should review its comprehensive plan and small area plan to see if it is meeting the needs of the residents and businesses. This review would take into account the special needs of the community relating to identity, safety, crime, and development. The new owners of The Frederick Towne Mall property should be included in this conversation as that location is one of the major properties of the Golden Mile landscape.

Second, we need to make sure that access to resources such as zoning changes, small area plans, and housing rehabilitation rules are more accessible by residents. We accomplish this goal by offering more public forums, a more user friendly experience online, and appropriate staffing to answer questions.

Finally, we also need to review our affordable housing plans. I will not support any small area plan that does not have a comprehensive concept on how to address affordable housing. I also believe that our fee in lieu for new developers is too lenient. I think we should look into raising that fee, among other ideas, on how to address keeping Frederick affordable for new families.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

I believe the city must play a part in supporting our next generation. The education of every FCPS student is critical as we continue moving our community forward. One decision on which I disagreed with the current administration was the decision to not fund the expansion of the gymnasium for the new Butterfly Ridge school on the west end. I believe that was a perfect opportunity to supply our west Frederick community with a facility for after school programming and sports development.

I would like to see the city play a greater role in the city school construction conversation. I believe that because we do not have a financial stake in the process, we need to identify different ways we can support our county and board of education partners to create a positive school experience for every Frederick City student.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Chairing The Frederick Center has taught me a lot about working with at-risk youth. Some statistics identify that forty percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Many times our organization has struggled to find housing for youth because they fall through the cracks of different organizations for assistance. I believe that the city’s role in this process needs to be supportive.

We need to better connect with our community partners including the Religious Coalition, Frederick Community Action Agency, The Heartly House, The Rescue Mission, 211, Mental Health Association, The United Way, Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership, Blessings in a Backpack, The Child Advocacy Center, DSS, The Frederick Center, and more to find out what resources the city can provide to answer the needs of at risk youth. Many of these agencies already meet many of the needs of thousands of our homeless youth but lack sufficient tools to fully address this epidemic. Our role should not be to reinvent the wheel but rather to support our partners and help them reach their goals.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

As a cultural awareness trainer for the LGBTQ community, I can attest that one of the most important aspects of providing an affirming culture in city government and policing is to have active representation serving at every level.

Many of our city agencies and our police department have made excellent strides in providing advanced education on cultural awareness in regards to our communities of color, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. However, having education does not equate to a full understanding of those communities.

We, as a city, must therefore make a deliberate and coordinated effort to hire individuals reflecting these varied backgrounds in order to comprehensively understand the cultural nuances that exist among our citizens. This effort will assist in our community relations and community policing initiatives, allowing for more effective communication among our citizens with our governing & law enforcement agencies.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Mullinix Park has a number of factors that have led to the existing problems we see today. In order to address those issues, we must take a multi-prong approach.

First, we need a greater presence of law enforcement officials walking the beat in the All Saints/Bentz Street communities to make their presence seen and heard consistently. Studies show, in community policing efforts, when law enforcement officials are walking the streets, they are better connected to residents and better capable of seeing, up-close, the suspicious behavior that neighbors document. As a result, law enforcement is able to move questionable individuals toward the correct resources for their situation.

Second, the city needs to review the amount of lighting in Mullinix Park. When meeting with residents a few weeks ago, I was shown multiple home videos of drug overdoses and what appeared to be drug transactions. I believe that, with increased lighting at night, we could address some of the criminal conduct literally happening in the shadows.

Third, we have to accept that drug addiction is a disease that requires serious help. The idea that we are simply going to lock these people away, make them serve time, and release them back into society is shortsighted and grossly inadequate. If someone is picked up and found to be overdosing on drugs (as many of the videos show), they need to be taken to a rehabilitation center for comprehensive treatment for their addiction. The cost associated with post-addiction care far outpaces the cost of catching someone and providing preventative intervention early on.

Finally, small community efforts such as block parties, public safety training, neighborhood watch committees, etc. should all be encouraged in order to facilitate a sense of community and support around the idea that this park will not be consumed by illegal or illicit activity.

Mullinix Park has a proud history in Frederick City. It needs to be respected by its city officials for its unique place in the history of Frederick and undeniable mark it has made on our community.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

Approximately 4 – 5 in the past month and somewhere in the realm of 50 in the past year.

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

I currently serve on three commissions; The Golden Mile Alliance design committee, The Frederick City Police Department citizen advisory committee, and I am a co-coordinator for Neighborhood Advisory Council 7. I believe that assisting in projects that you believe are vital to the community are paramount to being part of the solution to our challenges. As Alderman, I would be sitting on many other commissions and boards and look forward to lending my support to those organizations.

Donna Kuzemchak​

Email: vote4donnak@gmail.com Website: vote4donnak.com Facebook: Vote 4 Donna K Twitter: @DonnaKFrederick You Tube: Vote4DonnaK Instagram: Vote 4 Donna K

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

  1. I have made a difference, and that’s important to me.

  2. I ask questions that others are either afraid to ask or don’t have the experience to know that they need asked.

  3. I love this city. I love watching it grow and become beloved by those who visit and move here. I love being part of that progress.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

I am a lifelong advocate in the fight for what’s right for public education. Schools are vital to the integrity of our community and for the support of our children. While it is the county’s job to build schools, we are all county residents and, as such, this issue should be a big deal for us.

A knee-jerk reaction would be to say we should change our Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to prohibit development any time a school is over 100% enrollment; but I believe we should, instead, look for long-term solutions for issues like this. Smart growth is a long-term solution. Instead of plopping a development into the middle of nowhere and then having to provide new infrastructure for that development, we should build where infrastructure (i.e. roads, power lines, safe drinking water, etc.) exists - like the City. As a result, the savings in infrastructure that is no longer needed for sprawl can be spent on necessary schools and the environmental savings will last many lifetimes.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Educational and Training programs should be jointly provided by the City, County, State and local schools (including colleges) at the lowest cost possible. Education and training are the key to a successful future – providing these programs doesn’t just improve the lives of young people, it improves our collective future.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Diversity is critical and, frankly, this issue has probably been the most significant issue I’ve dealt with/worked on. It is absolutely necessary to have a workforce that looks like its community. Our experiences are different, and those differences often come from the way we look (male/female, white/non-white). If we expect to provide services for everyone in the City, we should be making sure we have people who have lived the experiences of everyone. I believe that doing so increases empathy, understanding and increased public safety. Importantly, diversity should be present at all levels – from the very top of our workforce to part-time hourly employees.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Mullinix Park Problems Mullinix park has its challenges, and so do other parks around the City. From vagrants washing their clothes in fountains, to people urinating in public, to vomit that needs cleaning off of pavilion floors – parks in the city are, at times, being used in ways that make many uncomfortable and feel unsafe. Community policing and staff involvement in these issues can make every difference.

The most effective way to do this, and a measure for which I am a continued advocate, is to increase foot patrol and regular monitoring of our city parks – from Mullinix Park to Carroll Creek promenade and beyond. If Police are consistently walking beats that include parks, we can see issues as they happen (and, hopefully, prevent other issues from happening). When I went to Mullinix Park for a vigil, I got there 15 minutes early. Some men were sitting on the tables, but I was polite to them.

Some left while others offered to help me clean up the trash and vomit that was in that pavilion that evening. Yes, I cleaned up vomit off the floor of that pavilion; because I believe it is the job of everyone who works for the City to provide that type of service. If City recreational and Code Enforcement staff regularly patrol the pavilions and other parts of City parks, we could improve our knowledge of where to concentrate our police enforcement.

Ben MacShane

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

To bring the perspective of a new father committed to ensuring that in 15 years this is still a wonderful city for my daughter to grow up in.

To build a progressive future for our city. I’ll work to bring a forward-thinking vision to our city government.

To bring my business background to the city government. I have built my construction business, Principled Contracting, into a success by implementing progressive policies. I’ll bring the same attention to detail and energy to the Board of Alderman to ensure that we are operating as efficiently and possible and providing as many services to our community as we can.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

I believe that our city should strongly advocate for plans for school construction that stays ahead of our population growth. It is entirely unacceptable for our children to be attending schools that are approaching 200% capacity. We need to be investing in our children’s educations and futures, rather than investing in trailers.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Our city must focus on job creation to create economic opportunities for the next generation. This means not only creating entry-level positions in industries that typically employ younger workers, but also encouraging job creation in industries that can employ mid-skilled workers and recent graduates to ensure that young people who aren't quite ready for high wage white collar jobs still have opportunities above the wage level of retail, food service, etc.

Youth homelessness disproportionately impacts LGBTQ people, people of color, and people experiencing mental illness and substance addiction. The city must ensure funding for organizations that provide direct services to these vulnerable populations in order to prevent homelessness and improve quality of life.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Frederick is a wonderfully racially-diverse city that has become more so every decade. It is vitally important for city employees to represent the racial make-up of the community they serve. We must give special attention to building a more diverse police force and prioritize the hiring of new officers from underrepresented communities, especially those with historically-strained relations with law enforcement. We must choose a community policing model in which our officers engage with the citizens they serve as much as possible in order to develop trust and accountability.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Mulllinix Park Problems The challenges facing Mullinix Park represent the confluence of numerous areas in which the city needs to show greater leadership. Our city must invest itself in a comprehensive approach to confronting homelessness, addiction, and the continued negligence of a city park with historical significance to African-American community.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? 4 The past year? About 15

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

My work within the community has been as a progressive activist and organizer focusing on social and racial justice concerns.

Kelly Russell

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

1. I love the City of Frederick

2. I am committed to making Frederick the best it can be.

3. I love serving The City of Frederick

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

City residents pay County taxes that fund the school system, including construction. The City has an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance which requires new development to test, through the County, for adequacy of schools. This partnership that ensures the County has information about new students well in advance to plan and fund additional school capacity as may be needed. Proposed development that might potentially outpace County funded school construction is only permitted if the developer pays a significant fee to the City. Those fees are placed in a fund so the City can, through the developer’s contribution, help the County with construction, renovation, or repair of schools in the City’s limits.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

The City must be a strong and present partner with service organizations that are doing great work in the City. Non-profits like SHIP, On Our Own Peer Counseling, and many others provide support to children and young adults in need of a hand up. The City, through our Frederick Community Action Agency, provides many service as well, like serving free lunches to children and their families during the summer.

We are weeks from adopting a Community Services Grant Program that was developed, at my urging, to provide a formal grant system for non-profits that provide services to City residents. This will make some additional financial assistance available to aid existing programs.

For young people wishing to live, work, play, and connect, the City must do a better job of embracing our growing arts community; musicians, artists, performance art, and the like. We must continue to vigorously enhance connectivity through bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. We need to ensure our next generations are engaged in municipal government so we know how to best represent them and meet their needs.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

As the 11th woman ever hired by FPD in 1983, the third (and last to date) to reach the rank of Lieutenant, and the former Commander of Human Resources for FPD, I have unique perspective. Diversity across the spectrum throughout the City ranks and departments is a very high priority for me. During my two terms, I have pushed the Administration to develop a diversity hiring plan to enhance our City workforce. It has not materialized through in-house efforts, so last year I successfully added $5,000 to the HR budget to hire a consultant. That money went unspent in FY17, so I have again renewed my push to move forward with a plan. Frederick is becoming more diverse and multicultural, and our workforce should be as well.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

Over the course of two years, my dear friend Jean O’Connor (who lost her battle with cancer last summer) and I rallied dozens of our neighbors in the College Park neighborhood to ask that the City place an historic preservation overlay on the area. It is the fan shaped development with the triangle park (Schley Park) on the south side of Hood College, and was designed by landscape architect George Burnap in 1913.

Jean and I led a petition drive and held information/listening sessions, hosting City staff and neighbors in our homes, and we invited every single homeowner in the affected area to the meetings. Many believed strongly that the neighborhood was of historic significance, and that it was at risk for teardowns like we had seen in Chevy Chase and other old communities.

While we were met with strong support on some fronts, there was also vehement opposition from others. We worked hard to address all the issues and answer questions. We collaborated with neighbors and staff to craft a separate set of guidelines, less restrictive than downtown’s, which would govern the overlay. Understand that neighbors were not unanimous moving forward. It was a difficult and divisive time.

So, very long story short, the measure did finally pass the Board of Aldermen after two years of ground work with a 3-2 vote, but the Mayor at the time vetoed it. The affirmative votes from the Board were achieved because the process was community driven by homeowners that wanted the overlay. The City staff and some elected officials supported their efforts along the way. Placing a restrictive zoning overlay on a residential area requires that homeowners engage and drive the process. For an HPO, the City requires at least 50% of homeowners support the effort, with one vote for each lot.

From my testimony at the Historic Preservation Commission on July 13:

“… this is an opportunity to reignite past conversations about neighborhood preservation that have that have fallen dormant since the application to designate the College Park neighborhood as historic with an HPO in 2009….

I urge our Planning staff, the Historic Preservation Commission, and most importantly our concerned residents, to restart conversations about what available techniques may be available to the City to protect our amazing and unique neighborhoods from the teardown phenomenon that has plagued towns like Chevy Chase. I encourage all of you to research and learn about historic preservation overlays, neighborhood conservation districts, and any other tools you may uncover. I pledge to work with all to find the best solution for Frederick.”

Derek Shackelford

Email: Derek4Alderman2017@gmail.com Website: derek4alderman.com Facebook: Derek4Alderman Twitter: @Derek4Alderman2017

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.I want to serve the city as an elected official for these reasons :

I want to be a part of making Frederick a more inclusive and better place to live for all people.

I want to use my diverse background experience of working with others to address the issues and concerns for the people of our city.

I want to use the leadership skills to give a voice for people who feel they are not represented, their voice is not heard and to include our younger generation in the strategic shaping of our city’s future.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?The city should play a role in planning for school construction if that can facilitate school construction projects in the city is completed quicker and alleviating the overcrowding for our students. Investing in education is a prudent and wise investment. The city is growing and will continue to grow and many more families with children will be a part of the school system within the city limits.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

The city can improve the lives of its young people in particular those who are homeless and at risk by leading on this issue in terms of making it a priority. The city can lead on a number of efforts by a broad-based community collaboration approach. Community partners will be necessary in order to have effective measure and achieve concrete goals. The At risk youth aspect can consist of a leadership program that engages young people in projects that help make a difference in their respective communities.

A summer jobs program that employs young people to give them the work skills for future employment opportunities. A Youth Commission/ Council that provides input on community projects. Community partners that assist with and lead on issues such as mental health services, substance abuse and young people who are in crisis. The homeless population initiative can also be a collaboration of partners such as mental health, substance abuse, law enforcement and homeless shelters/services.

The city can take the lead on Housing First, Services Second. Housing first is a foundation approach where the homeless have housing first and supportive services to assist with the possibility of a specific issue i.e. mental health, substance, loss of employment, etc. Funding measures could include affordable housing initiatives that includes public and private partnerships, budgetary means by the City, grants and in kind services. The City can lead on bringing community partners together to address these concerns.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Diversity is very important because it enriches our life experience. It makes our lives better, helps us to understand each other, broadens our perspective of the world we live in, gives us greater knowledge that we may not have previously had and makes our community a stronger place. Yet, having diversity for the sake of diversity is just a starting place. Diversity is necessary and should be valued because it builds community.

It is not enough to have just a representation to check a box or fill a block. Diversity is necessary because it builds a stronger community. In the workplace, diversity increases productivity, generates ideas and allows issues to be viewed through multiple interpretations which in turn allows for the best contributions. This is also important for our local police department that diversity is not only represented in the ranks but also in supervisory positions. It is not enough to have diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender etc…but what is equally essential is that the communication and respect be the standard between the police department and community. Both entities are partners in respect and trust to ensuring safe neighborhoods and treatment for all citizens.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

The Mullinix Park situation can be improved by the city taking the lead on the issue. The city may not be able to solve the situation with every resource but it can ensure that leadership takes place in solving the concerns of the neighbors. A definite collaborative community approach is necessary and needed. It will take the city, Friends of Mullinix Park, mental health services, social services, substance abuse services and law enforcement working together in cohesion.

This can be done by making sure there is one entity that is calling all community partners together, leading the efforts, ensuring accountability and making sure that it happens. The park can utilized to a greater extent by planned organized activities for families and children. Also, the location is specific to the needs of the community that surrounds it. Poverty is a concern along with substance abuse and the homeless situation.

Yes, law enforcement plays a vital role in keeping the community safe but this is also an opportunity to assist people in the services that they need. It is a funding issue as well. Calls that are made for emergency personnel place will eventually place a drain on taxpayers so we can make the strategic solutions now or on the back end. There should be an immediate solution which can include a 30-180 timeframe and a long term solution that involves a 1-3 year time period. The cities role is to be the catalyst in making sure that partners are at the table, strategies are discussed, and solutions are implemented and follow up is completed.

For new candidates:How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

I watch mostly all the meetings to get an understanding of the issues, procedures and votes. The Mayor and Board meetings I will watch online and have attended several this year.

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not? Not currently on any city boards or commissions.

Roger Wilson

Email: Roger4Alderman@gmail.com Website: wilsonforfrederick.com Facebook: Roger Wilson for Alderman Twitter: @roger4alderman

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

I am running for elected office because I believe we can do better to ensure that our city provides good schools, safe streets, a vibrant economy, and a strong sense of community for future generations. I want to help build and shape a community that offers my daughters the option to live, work, and retire in Frederick. My focus as an Alderman will be fiscal responsibility, managing growth and infrastructure improvements, and building a diverse and forward-thinking economy that benefits all the citizens of Frederick.

There are three goals I would like to accomplish in my legislative role.

1) Revise the City's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFO) policy, specifically revising the outdated 3-year wait-and-go policy into something more appropriate to Frederick’s current needs.

2) Focus on budget priorities: roads and sidewalks, sustainability and economic initiatives, and public safety.

3) Establish a Youth Commission to increase their input and involvement. The Youth Commission will advise the Mayor and the Board of Alderman on summer job programs and after-school activities, as well as other issues facing our youngest citizens.

Lastly, I am running for Alderman because I believe in the power of one. I believe that at this moment in history, we cannot wait for others to change the world, and that we must all take action to change it ourselves. I simply want to do my part to make Frederick, and my country, a better place.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

The City and the County have a shared responsibility to provide good schools and a seat for every student inside the classroom. According to the City’s comprehensive plan, growth will occur for the foreseeable future. I am encouraged by this growth, but we must first ensure the needed infrastructure such as roads and schools are in place. A planned growth strategy, and a strong partnership between the City, the Board of Education, and Frederick County planners would prove beneficial.

My goal is to remove all portables from our city’s schools. Both Hillcrest and Waverley Elementary will be over capacity on the first day of school. For example, Waverley Elementary will be at a capacity of 150%. The planned Butterfly Ridge Elementary, before it is even completed, already includes a space for portables! We can and should do better for our students.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

As a parent of three young women, I feel that it is the duty of my generation to leave this world better than we found it, so that the next generation can enjoy the same or better advantages than I did. Establishing a Youth Commission to increase the youth’s input to city government is one of my top priorities. Listening to the needs of our youth, and taking action on issues that affect them—issues like homelessness, jobs, and after-school activities—is essential to the health of our community. A stronger partnership with non-profits, such as the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) would be ideal.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

It is very important for the face of our city reflect the diversity of its citizenry. When people see themselves represented in their leaders, no one is left behind. In my legislative role, I plan to focus on reviewing appointments from the administration closely, to ensure they meet the qualifications for their role, and are high performing and competent individuals. Additionally, I am interested in working with the mayor to develop innovative policies to recruit and retain more minorities for in city government and the police department.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

I believe openness and transparency are essential components of good government. City Hall communications can be improved in the following ways:

1) Weekly press briefings from the Mayor, and a separate weekly press briefing from the Board of Aldermen;

2) Town hall meetings with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen throughout the City of Frederick;

3) Regular attendance at Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) meetings;

4) Quarterly newsletters to city residents;

5) Stronger social media communication channels.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

I have watched three workshops and two city meetings in the past month, and eight workshops and eleven city meetings in the past year.

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

I became interested in smart growth and affordable housing after graduating from the Frederick County’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Frederick Program, Class of 2006-07 and a graduate of City of Frederick 101 Course. I was appointed to the following city commissions:

Member, City Planning Commission until 2008

Vice Chair, City Fair Housing Commission until 2013

Republicans

Hayden Duke

Email: haydenbduke@gmail.com Website: voteduke.com Facebook: haydendukeforfrederick Twitter: @votehaydenduke

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

1. I’m running for office for our future. I see that future every day when I walk into the classroom. I have a vision for Frederick. We live in an amazing City and we cannot afford to have anything other than a grand vision of what we want this City to be by 2050. Throughout this campaign I will lay out my vision for Frederick.

2. You work hard for your money. I want to work just as hard for you. I pledge to make sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely. I want to cut cumbersome regulations and unleash the power of our entrepreneurs and business owners. I want to lower taxes and provide relief to our homeowners and tackle the issue of affordable housing.

3. I want to bring my decade of service in various organizations and boards to serve you on the Board of Aldermen. I want to be YOUR advocate and your voice as we work together for our future by cutting taxes, reducing regulations and expanding our tax base.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

Working in education this is an issue that I am very passionate about and one that we must plan well for. If we present a vision of where we want to be in 2050 years and we calibrate our Land Management Code and our Small Area Plans in accordance with that vision we will have a framework of where physically and budget wise that school construction would fit in with the vision for Frederick. In addition, by expanding our tax base and thus bringing in more revenue we will be better suited to be able to help provide the tools that our children will need to succeed.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

It’s hard being a kid these days, I can’t even imagine dealing with the “regular” growing pains but also being homeless and at risk. We must act with compassion. I would establish a Youth Commission and ask young people what they need and how we can help them. Young people must have opportunity to learn, have fun and make a difference.

There are programs to help our young people ranging from the Boys and Girls Club to mentoring programs. We need to publicize those programs. We cannot lose sight of the fact that if one person suffers in our City we all suffer. Our young people are our future, an investment in them will pay great dividends. We also cannot be afraid to look at how other cities and counties have tackled this issue and use their best practices to benefit our young residents.

I've decided to donate at least a quarter of my salary as Alderman, if elected, to start a scholarship fund and go to after school programs.

Talk to me about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Diversity makes Frederick strong and vibrant, truly a world class City. It is important that we are recruiting the very best and brightest to work for our City and deliver excellent service to our residents. We can find the best and brightest right here in Frederick – of all backgrounds. I think that our City staff and government is well served when it reflects the positive diversity that we have. Our Police Department has placed a strong emphasis on being a strong and diverse department and recruiting diverse applications, I support their efforts.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

The story regarding Mr. Hodge and the RFP was of great concern when I read it on several levels. First, let me say unequivocally, we need to rebid this. Due to the way this was handled we, the taxpayers, and a local businessman who has done much for Frederick, are losing out. $12,000 is a lot of money, your money, and if we can save that money we have an obligation to do so.

The City can improve upon the RFP process by 1.) Increasing the file size and putting file restriction on bid specifications so there is no question, 2.) Send an email response for each bid confirming receipt or advising there is a problem with the submission. 3.) Ensuring optical communication with all applicants and respondents and setting expectations from the beginning of the process to the end. We must never forget that the government is here to serve you.

We need to make sure that everyone is treated well in this process including our employees, those who bid and those who pay taxes in Frederick.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

When I cannot attend in person I will always watch every City meeting. When I was a member of the Frederick County Human Relations Commission I did not miss one meeting in over 4 years, I intend to bring that same punctuality and respect for the residents and taxpayers to my role as Alderman.

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

I have not served on any City Board/Commission but I have served on two Boards at the county level: The Frederick County Human Relations Commission for four years and the Frederick County Ethics Commission for two years. Both of those Commissions elected me to serve as their Chairman.

I was also appointed to serve on the first board of the Golden Mile Alliance by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. In addition, I have volunteered for several years at Centro Hispano de Frederick where I taught Citizenship classes to immigrants pursuing their dream of becoming Americans.

Alan Imhoff

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

1.The ability to serve the entire Frederick community, not just those of a political party, or just registered voters, but those choose not to register to vote, those that chose not to vote and those who are not eligible to vote.

2. The opportunity to pursue providing the City of Frederick with the tools needed to take us forward into a changing economy, where educational requirements are being redefined for employment. The creation and retention of jobs is undergoing major shifts due to technology and maintaining the vibrant small businesses that is the heart of our community.

3. The continuance to be involved in the complicated process of planning our infrastructure requirements for a 20 to 40-year time frame. As well as, provided sufficient opportunities in zoning land to meet the needs of sustaining diversified employment and housing for everyone.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

The City has a reasonable relationship with the County in doing what it can to plan for school placement and funding. The challenge is and will continue to be the interplay with not only the County government, but the Board of Education and the effects of the State of Maryland mandates and funding formulas.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

The national economy as it redefines itself will shape the opportunities for employment. Education plays the most important part in securing those opportunities. Working with existing Federal, State and local programs, the City can help those that are at risk and, hopefully, provide a portion of the workforce that is needed locally.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Not having the data available, as of this writing to the existing diversity within employment in the City of Frederick, the question for me is whether there is a problem and if so, to what extent. Employment diversity is always a goal to achieve, in practice it needs constant monitoring as employees leave or retire or that goals change. Finding individuals qualified for a position and meeting the goal of diversity may not always be achievable.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story.

City Bid Process In today’s world of “going electronic” for almost everything and requirement to secure those electronic devices, the need for adequate checks and balances to conduct business is paramount. If the process of sending e-files is required, then a disclaimer to the maximum size of any file should be disclosed. Conversely, if the communication is important enough and has been verified as not received, then delivery by alternate means should be taken. For example, sending the file on a disk, thumb drive or paper with a delivery service with a return receipt requested. If local, maybe even delivery in person.

For new candidates:

How many city meetings have you attended/watched in the past month? The past year?

Those of the Planning Commission and a couple of meetings of the Mayor and Board.

Are you on a member of any city boards or commissions? Why or why not?

Yes, Planning Commission. Currently am serving as the Alternate in my third appointment. First, served as Vice Chairman from 1998 to 2003, with my second term as Aldermanic member and Secretary from 2006 to 2009. As to why, I have been involved in planning issues since my election to the Lake Linganore Homeowners Association board of directors in 1981. That involvement has led to a personal interest in planning for the long-term, while working on current problems.

Nate Power

Top three reasons you want to serve, or continue to serve, the city as an elected official.

1. I want to make Frederick a great place to live. I believe the city has a terrific foundation to continue managed growth and continue to be an attractive community to live and work in.

2. I hope to make a lasting contribution as a voice for the future of our city. I am not a business owner, and bring a fresh perspective as I am not indebted to any special interest groups.

3. I want to see lower taxes and lower barriers to entry for new business opportunities as the city continues to grow.

What role should the city play in working with the county to plan for city school construction?

We need to look at where we have been over the past 10 years, and project where the population is growing and going. It doesn’t make sense to me to build schools where the population is aging. Neighborhood schools are great, if they support the population in the neighborhood, but when you have to bus kids across town to fill classrooms we are not being responsive to the needs of the population. City and County school officials should work together to plan school development long term.

How can the city improve the lives of its young people, particularly those who are homeless and at risk?

Outreach programs by the local YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs are the best way to meet these needs. Most of this is staffed by volunteers. Volunteer hours could act as a credit on taxes. This should happen at the state level as well. Additionally, we can use school space after school as YMCA or Boys/Girls Club support on a payable reimbursement from those organizations.

Another idea would be to leverage underutilized facilities to help with the homeless/shelter issue. There are lots of opportunities to leverage these and give these people and hand up not and hand out.

Talk about the importance of diversity in the ranks of city employees, including the police department.

Police and other civil authority organizations such as the volunteer fire departments are open to all applicants. If we need to incentivize people to apply for positions, we really need to look at the skills they bring to the department. We should look to bring the best and the brightest to the department.

Choose one of the story topics below and tell me how can the city can improve on the issue highlighted in the story(ies.)

The story on Mullinix Park highlights some of the issues of simply having patrols to monitor some of these high crime areas. We should look at permanent police substations stations in these areas. However, police visibility is only part of the deterrent. More lighting and passive security monitoring (cameras) and sensors, also help monitor situations. There must be trained individuals who recognize when a situation is going out of control and then contact the correct group to intervene. However, to get unwanted loitering to stop begins with enforcement of laws already on the books. We have to prosecute the criminal element and get them off the street, permanently removing them from the area. As the story portrays, no solution will have 100% consensus of everyone, and any solution set must be multi-faceted and adjusted based on the dynamics of the situation. Over time, things change and we have to recognize, improvise and adapt to these changes.


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