(12/2018) Alas, it is time to depart the County Council. I am humbly grateful for those who took a chance and voted for me as an Independent this last election cycle. I wish only the very best for the citizens of Frederick County and the newly elected
Council.
It was a great four years in office. A number of times we were able to broker negotiations and create valuable legislation to move the county forward. Other times, not so much! To say that it was challenging is quite true. However, I have high hopes that the next mix of individuals will listen to each other and come to positive solutions
that will support all our citizens.
We are all very fortunate to live in a beautiful and prosperous county. Over the past four years, I have voted as the swing vote numerous times on critical issues, from the County Budget to various legislative items. The budgets have been conservative. They have allowed key services to increase in order to better respond to our residents.
Our property rate has remained constant at $1.06. We are living within our means as a county.
Our emergency responders from the 9-1-1 call center operators, to firefighters, to sheriff deputies saw increases in staffing and better pay. FCPS teachers went from dead last in starting salaries across the state to several rungs up the ladder. The Board of Education budgets were funded above maintenance of effort all four years as they
lagged behind previously. Our excellent AAA bond rating among all three bond-rating agencies sets Frederick County in an elite group of about 50 out of 3,000 counties across the nation to have achieved this prestigious distinction. We approved grants for our local non-profits to help better serve our more vulnerable residents. Citizens and Montevue is back under
the county and fulfills a promise made to our seniors, along with saving taxpayer money. New libraries, new parks, upgraded infrastructure, more preserved agricultural land, two new elementary schools (Butterfly Ridge and Sugarloaf), completion of Frederick High School, and one of my primary goals – strengthening our Ethics laws and creating an independent Ethics
Committee nomination process.
We have supported the creation of a new county division – the Senior Services Division incorporated the previous Department of Aging. This is advancing forward the initiative to take care of our seniors, as they are the fastest growing population in our county.
Regarding the Monocacy Scenic River Plan, I tried to bring both sides of this issue together to generate consensus, but was unable to unravel the divide between land-owners, environmentalists and farmers. It will be up to the incoming Council to hear from more of the public and hopefully support a Plan which protects our vital natural
resource and assuages the fears of land-owners. We all want clean water for our future generations!
I helped craft the Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) legislation creating county support for our almost 18,000 veterans. This bill was co-sponsored by CM Keegan-Ayer and CM Chmelik. The VAC includes seven voting and seven non-voting members. As I was designated the Council’s representative on the VAC, it will need to be filled by one of the
seven Council Members. It is my hope that the VAC moves quickly to get started! There is much work to do.
One of my personal favorites was the passage of the bills allowing tiny homes (Accessory Dwelling Units) under 800 square feet to be built in Frederick County and not pay school impact fees. This legislation was created to help with affordable housing for seniors and may also apply to adult children coming back home after college wanting a
separate living space. This bill was co-sponsored by CM Fitzwater.
Two of the most moving highlights of my tenure include the Vietnam Veterans Pinning Ceremony held last April in conjunction with Congressman Jamie Raskin and the American Legion FSK Post 11 in Frederick. MG James Jackson, the Director of the Vietnam War Commemoration assisted us in pinning 108 Vietnam Veterans. Identified during that
ceremony was a Gold Star Family. To honor them, this past September we held our very first Gold Star Family Tribute to honor PFC James Moore, Jr.’s ultimate sacrifice. He lost his life in combat on April 2, 1966 at the tender age of 19. It was a heartfelt and well overdue thank you to his family. His mother, Katharine Moore and his sister, Alma Palm were given his
posthumous Purple Heart engraved with his name from the U.S. Army, special Gold Star pins along with Department of Defense, Vietnam War Commemoration Certificates signed by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Very honored to be part of this special tribute along with other elected officials and dignified guests.
I have traveled almost 40,000 miles in visiting businesses, attending events, representing the Council on a number of boards and commissions, and recognizing various organizations for their respective contributions to our county. It has truly been an honor.
It has been a productive four years indeed. I thank you all for allowing me this privilege.
