(11/2020) Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Now is a good time to ask ourselves what we are thankful for. I am thankful for my family and the wonderful people who call Frederick County home.

I am also thankful for all the men and women who serve in our nation’s Armed Forces. November 11th is Veterans Day. Most years, we mark the occasion with large ceremonies, with handshakes and hugs to show our appreciation. This year, to keep our veterans safe, things may look a bit different but the sentiment remains the same.

My father served during the Korean War and my father-in-law served in World War II, so I personally appreciate the immense commitment these men, women and their families have made for all of us. Veterans deserve our support. They work every day to preserve our freedoms. That’s why I was pleased to establish a Veterans Advisory Council for Frederick County. The Council connects our veterans to information and resources so they can further their education, find employment, and receive services. The Veterans Advisory Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. You can watch their meetings on FCG TV cable channels 19 or 1085.

Preserving History and Agriculture

Frederick County is a special place. Our history and our agricultural roots help to create that special sense of place that is uniquely Frederick. When the community came together to develop a shared vision for our award-winning Livable Frederick master plan, it was clear that we value historical and cultural resources.

As you will read in this month’s County Notes, I have announced two new grant programs that will allow us to protect what we value about Frederick County: the Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program and the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. The goal is to leave a legacy for future generations of a vibrant agricultural community and to preserve our rich history.

Frederick County has done an outstanding job of preserving our rich history in our urban core. The Rural Preservation Grants will help us preserve our history in our rural areas, including historic bank barns, homes and other structures. The Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program will offer grants of up to $50,000 to individual property owners and nonprofit organizations to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore or preserve the exterior of a historic property. To qualify, properties must be listed on the County Register of Historic Places or on the National Register of Historic Places, or be designated as a contributing resource in a historic district. A property also qualifies if the Maryland Historical Trust determines the site is eligible for National Register designation. Applications for Rural Historic Preservation Grants will be accepted once a year.

As we preserve farmland through our ag preservation programs, it is equally important that we help keep agricultural operations profitable. The Agricultural Innovation Grant Program accomplishes that goal. The program will award grants of $5,000 or more to help farmers expand or diversify their business operations. Funds may be used for research and development, production buildings, major fixtures, or processing facilities. Applications will be accepted twice a year.

Review committees will be established for both programs to score applications based on established metrics and then recommend awards to the County Executive. Funding for the grants will come from the county’s recordation fee, which is charged on certain real estate transactions.

COVID-19

Frederick County has seen concerning trends recently in the number of new Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations. We are starting to see numbers similar to what we experienced in June. In order to keep our economy open, it is critical that all of us do our part. Stay home as much as possible. When you go out, avoid crowds. Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose, and wash your hands frequently. It’s also a good idea to get a flu shot. We want to avoid putting too much strain on our already overworked doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Working together, we can slow the spread of the coronavirus until there is a vaccine available for everyone.

Election

The General Election is under way. You can vote in-person at Catoctin High School or any of Frederick County’s eight early voting centers between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. On Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 3rd, you can cast your ballot at one of 14 centers, including Catoctin High. The full list of election sites can be found at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Elections. Make your voice heard!

Stay safe and stay healthy!