(8/2018) Countless Positives in Frederick County
During this election season you will read and hear many negatives about what is and what isn’t being done in Frederick County. Some will be alt-facts to garner votes using scare tactics. While some may argue this is effective, I contend the voters in our county are more concerned about the truth and want honest dialogue. Taking a stand and
articulating my platform in the positive is the model I chose to use, based upon great examples of both President Abraham Lincoln and President Ronald Reagan.
There are great things happening in our local communities, which I cover in my council member comments at the conclusion of our legislative day council meetings.
For example, at our July 24th council workshop we recognized our Behavioral Health Division Director Andrea Walker and her team for reaching a remarkable milestone. As the leader of the Behavioral Health Services Division, Mrs. Walker laid the groundwork and guided heartfelt excellence within her team to reach this difficult to accomplish
official recognition from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). It shines the light on the exceptional services and programs in place for our residents. This team was applauded for their combined efforts and corresponding remarkable results! Another noteworthy accomplishment is that the substance abuse treatment program in the Adult
Detention Center also recently received a 3-year accreditation status on its first application. Again, amazing work for our citizenry by our extremely capable Health Department. Overall kudos to Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Frederick County’s Health Officer.
Upcoming at our September 25th council meeting will be a ceremony honoring one of our Gold Star Families. U.S. Army PFC James Moore Jr. was killed in action in Vietnam on April 2, 1966 – he was 19 years old. His mother, Mrs. Katharine Moore and his sister, Mrs. Alma Palm will be recognized for their profound sacrifice. We have a number of
political leaders, Fort Detrick’s Commanders, Deputy Secretary of the MD VA and the President of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg (retired Brigadier General Tim Trainor) coming to the event to honor this special family. Fort Detrick Color Guard will present the flags and Major General James Jackson (Executive Director of the Vietnam War Commemoration)
will help us present this family with special pins and certificates of honor signed by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is truly time to honor them. The Vietnam War was a dark time in our history as a nation and many returning military members were not welcomed home, quite the opposite. I am grateful that PFC Moore’s
family will receive the recognition they richly deserve.
What else has been happening in Frederick County you ask? Summer carnivals and parades are underway to help our local fire fighters with their yearly fundraisers. We cheered our graduates from the local high schools and recognized the work entailed to graduate from the county’s drug treatment court. We have been honoring Veterans at various
events as well as showing gratitude for the 1,000 non-profits in our community and the tremendous services they provide for our most vulnerable. We celebrated the 243rd birthday of the Army at Fort Detrick’s 75th Anniversary event. I hosted the Vietnam War Era Veterans Pinning ceremony with Congressman Jamie Raskin at the American Legion’s FSK Post 11 in April and
we pinned 109 Vietnam Veterans – it was very moving. FCPS has 12 schools that were named a Blue Ribbon School.
We have new parks, libraries, schools, and better roads and bridges thanks to a conservative and thoughtful budget. Our teachers’ pay scale has made strides going upwards to keep our teachers here and pull others to FCPS. Our county is growing and we are working to keep pace with our infrastructure.
I co-sponsored two bills with Council Member Fitzwater addressing the need for affordable housing and allowing "tiny homes" to be built without impact fees. We are establishing a Veterans Advisory Council as a result of my Bill #18-11 co-sponsored by Council VP Keegan-Ayer and Council Member Chmelik, which passed unanimously.
We worked collaboratively on the Forest Resource Ordinance Bill #17-17 which was approved this year. Bill #18-12 Interagency Internal Audit Authority also passed which provides clear independence for this audit authority.
We formed a work group that met and provided a compromised solution to the Adequate Public Facilities - Adjustment of School Construction Fees (aka Mitigation Fees) Bill slated to be presented at First Reader on August 21st.
Research, conversation and compromise between people on both sides of the issues has been very fruitful for our county. I certainly hope to continue this process with the next council. I am so very proud to be living and working here!
