(12/22) Frederick County to Receive Over $1 Million in Grant Funding to Improve Road Safety

Frederick County will receive $1,050,000 in federal funds to make road improvements with a goal of reducing traffic fatalities and improving bicycle accessibility. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which was funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

"Safe, accessible transportation is vital to our quality of life and moving our economy forward," Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "I am grateful to our federal delegation for helping to secure this grant for our community. These funds will allow us to improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists and help us realize our goal of zero deaths on our roadways."

Frederick County’s Division of Planning and Permitting will use grant funds to update the 2018 County Bike and Trails Plan. In addition, they will construct pilot projects to demonstrate ways excess pavement on roadways can be repurposed, conduct feasibility studies for trail corridors or connections, and support municipalities that are striving to align with a countywide approach to bikeways and trails. These steps support the County’s Complete and Green Street Policy. The policy emphasizes the importance of improving the accessibility and mobility of pedestrians and bicyclists, while reducing conflict with motorized traffic. For more information, contact Transportation Engineering Supervisor Mark Mishler at 301-600-6742.

The Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program was established to support regional and local efforts to prevent roadway deaths through planning and demonstration projects. The goal of the program is to help local governments better understand the safety challenges in their communities and make their streets, roads, and highways safer for all

Rides For Good to launch in Frederick County

According to United Way of Frederick County, more than one-third of Frederick County residents (over 31,000 households) cannot afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, health care and technology. Transportation is especially hard to access for those households who are living on a limited income. The cost to own or lease a vehicle continues to escalate, let alone the expenses required owning, operating, and insuring an automobile.

Despite overall improvements, the economic recovery in Frederick County, like that in the rest of Maryland, had not reached all families before the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deb Bisenieks, Executive Director of Seton Center, a social services organization based in Emmitsburg that serves northern Frederick County residents, says "Many people that we serve have few, if any, transportation options for accessing the most essential of services, especially for rides to medical and dental appointments, the grocery store and pharmacy, faith activities, educational classes, even jobs. North County is truly a transportation desert, and if you don’t have dependable access to a car, then life can be very challenging."

For these reasons, Frederick-based Safe Ride Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has operated the SOS Safe Ride program since 2015, has created Rides for Good, connecting trained volunteer drivers using their own vehicles to transport registered passengers to a broad range of services in the community. The service will begin operations this upcoming February.

Wayne Dorsey, Safe Ride Foundation Founder and Executive Director, says, "We’ve built Rides for Good to replicate NeighborRides, a volunteer-centered program operating since 2002 in metro Baltimore. In 2018, NeighborRide provided over 18,000 rides to over 300 passengers. It’s a proven model, and with Frederick County residents stepping up to help their neighbors in need, Rides for Good will be a success here as well."

In a recent interview, Elizabeth Paul, a Frederick County resident and Rides for Good passenger, commented, "Due to my visual impairment, I’m unable to drive. While I can sometimes rely upon family and friends to drive me to my appointments, there are times when I need Rides for Good and their volunteer drivers to help me to pick up my prescriptions and go to the market. If it wasn’t for them, I would be in dire straits."

For information on Rides for Good, and how to become a volunteer driver, visit www.ridesforgood.org/volunteer or call 240-657-3090.

Human Relations Department Investigates Allegation of Discriminatory Rental Rates

Frederick County’s Human Relations Department recently launched an investigation into claims that households with Housing Choice Vouchers were being charged higher rents than other tenants in the same complex. Approximately 28 households were affected. The County’s Division of Housing notified these residents and will be working with them in the coming weeks to file complaints with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, and to determine if their monthly rent amount will change as a result.

"When our most vulnerable residents are victimized by discriminatory housing practices, it affects our entire community, with taxpayers bearing the brunt of the cost," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "Affordable housing is one of my top priorities, because every person deserves a safe, affordable place to live."

Maryland and Frederick County laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on the source of a person’s income. The value of a Housing Choice Voucher is considered income, therefore a tenant cannot be charged higher rent because they receive a portion of their income from housing assistance.

"We are currently trying to assist any voucher recipient that may have been impacted by this issue," Human Relations Director Anthony L. Russell said. "We have been in constant communication with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights to make sure they receive all of the information from our Frederick County residents."

Frederick County residents who think they are victims of discriminatory practices in housing, employment, or public accommodations should contact Mr. Russell at 301-600-1110, or by emailing ALRussell@FrederickCountyMD.gov. Discrimination complaints also can be filed online. The Human Relations Department investigates complaints in a fair, confidential and timely manner, and fashions appropriate remedies when illegal discrimination is found to exist. To learn more, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HumanRelations.

Stevens Recognized by Maryland Economic Development Association

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) recognized Katie Stevens, Director of Agriculture and Small Business in the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, with the 2023 MEDA Rising Star Award.

The award recognizes candidates for their dedication to Maryland’s economic development. Stevens’ work on numerous projects that have significantly influenced Frederick County’s economic landscape made her a standout candidate for the award. Some of her most notable accomplishments were spearheading three rounds of the award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants program, which foster innovation and new opportunities for the local farm community so farmers can diversify into value-added production, and being instrumental in awarding millions of dollars to local businesses through state and federal funding.

"Katie’s dedication to our agriculture economy is inspiring," Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "Through her continued leadership, she has made remarkable contributions so our farms – and our farmers – can thrive for years to come. Katie’s work is helping to preserve our community’s rich agricultural history while paving a way for a bright future. She is very deserving of this prestigious recognition."

Mrs. Stevens, who grew up on her family's dairy farm, has several notable accomplishments during her tenure with the Office of Economic Development. She spearheaded three rounds of the award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants program, which foster innovation and new opportunities for the local farm community so farmers can diversify into value-added production. She was also instrumental in awarding millions of dollars to local businesses through state and federal funding.

"Katie Stevens has that unique talent to bring the County’s traditional dairy and row crop farming economy together with the NEW nontraditional farming operations all together in harmony with Frederick’s growth," said Tom Mullineaux, President of the Frederick County Agri-Business Committee.

For more information on the nomination process and MEDA, visit www.medamd.com.

Karen Gaither Promoted to FCSO Records Section Supervisor

A long-time and devoted employee, Karen Gaither, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Law Enforcement Bureau, officially received a promotion to the position of Records Section supervisor, effective Dec. 2.

"I am very proud of Karen on her promotion, and this is well-deserved," said Lt. Tracy McCutcheon, FCSO Law Enforcement Bureau Support Services commander. "She will provide strong leadership with her extensive knowledge of our Records processes. She has a desire to teach and will encourage and hold others to set a high personal standard as part of the Records Section team."

In this position, Karen will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Records Section. She has direct oversight over all administrative duties regarding records to include warrants, on-scene arrests, requests and disbursement of incident and accident reports, expungements, criminal history clearance requests, maintenance, training, and updating of the Records Management System (RMS), preparing subpoena records for court, and various other records-related duties.

She will manage five Records Section personnel who are responsible for the security of the central records for the agency, by maintaining and updating RMS, and ensuring the proper release and retention of records.

Karen has more than 16 years of records experience, with one year as the assistant supervisor of the Records Section. She has federal and state training certifications from the Maryland State Police, Maryland Police Training Commission, Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"I hope to bring a renewed sense of ‘team’ to the section through encouragement, inspiration, and motivation," said Gaither. "I want to always provide a positive working environment that promotes collaboration from all sections within the Law Enforcement Bureau and other agencies."

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) is a full-service law enforcement agency, an arm of the court, and a keeper of offenders. In this regard, it exists to serve the more than 280,000 citizens of Frederick County with respect, fairness, and compassion. FCSO is committed to the prevention of crime; the protection of life and property; the preservation of peace and order; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees; and safekeeping of prisoners. The men, women, and officers of this office nurture public trust by holding themselves to the highest standards of performance and ethics. The FCSO is located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD, 21701. Visit www.frederickcosheriff.com