Growth

 

We are the fastest growing city in the State, and one of the fastest growing areas in the Country. During this explosion of development our City residents feel left out of the conversation and left to suffer the consequences of poor planning. Rules are written to favor growth and the developers that make millions off each new project. We want to continue healthy growth and invite more people to join our incredible community. That means we need to ensure that developers are listening to our values and that our codes and ordinances reflect a strong commitment to thinking ahead and intelligent and planned growth. The history and character of Frederick is our greatest investment. It's time that those profiting off that history are building the infrastructure and roads and schools required for a positive quality of life for all residents, new or old.

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Infrastructure Investment

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The reality is that our infrastructure is not prepared for the future. Addressing the growing needs of the City of Frederick will require substantial investment from our community, the county, and the state. We can no longer delay action; the time to plan and invest is now. This can only be achieved through the support and collaboration of our community. It’s essential that we engage in a meaningful conversation about our shared values and determine how to allocate our resources most effectively. As discussed above we need to re-examine our APFO (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance) and ensure that the residents of our City are a meaningful part of the discussion. 

 

Meaningful Preservation & Affordable Living

 

There is currently a significant disconnect between the economic challenges of owning property and running businesses and our collective desire to preserve the charm of our historic downtown. While we are committed to maintaining the character, atmosphere, and culture of our city, forcing residents to endure outdated, drafty windows that are impossible to replace isn't the solution. We need to bridge the gap between our values and the realities we face. Livability must include affordability. It is the responsibility of our local leaders to find solutions that properly manage growth without driving people out of their homes and businesses. This must include creative solutions like SROs, micro-housing, and tiny homes. We also need to address the explosion of short-term rentals (AirBnB) in the City.  Any property not owned by a city resident, offering it's space for rental more than 50% of the year, is operating as a business. They should pay commercial tax rates, and contribute towards the infrastructure we pay for that allows them to make money. 

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Community Engagement
 

Our city government exists to serve the people, and every decision should reflect the values and wishes of our vibrant community. It’s essential that we engage continuously and meaningfully with residents to understand how policies impact real lives. I am fully dedicated to being accessible, listening to everyone in the downtown community, and advocating for my neighbors at every level of government. If you have the desire to build a better tomorrow, I will work tirelessly with you to achieve it.

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Workforce and Economic Development

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We stand at a pivotal moment in our history. As the fastest-growing community in Maryland, sustaining our city will require a thriving and successful business environment that offers meaningful, fulfilling employment opportunities for all residents. We cannot afford to fall behind. We must prioritize workforce development, equipping our community with the education and training needed for the jobs of the future. We should celebrate and support new and innovative businesses, fostering an environment where residents feel empowered to take risks and pursue new ventures, knowing the community and the City government will stand behind them.

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Transportation
 

Our City has placed too much emphasis on personal vehicle transportation, leading to parking challenges and economic barriers that hinder community engagement and access to employment. We must bridge the gaps created by our city’s layout, finding solutions to help more people navigate the city without relying on private car ownership or costly ride-sharing options. Our City leadership must be tirelessly advocating for Transit funding and working with our State and Federal partners to secure more and greater access. A dedicated Downtown Circulator is an excellent first step in making this vision a reality.

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Parking

 

We need to rethink the way we envision parking in the city center and we need to prepare for a future that is significantly less car-centric. Creative solutions are required. For example, parking meters are old technology and not sustainable for the city. We have a possible solution with the ParkMobile system that is already in place and this change is supported by the city staff responsible for parking. Most importantly, we need to examine all possible solutions, and act now. Not wait until it is too late. We also need to look at other free parking solutions with robust and continuous transit options to every part of our city.

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My Promise to You

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I will never claim to have all the answers. But I will dedicate myself to finding the best possible solution in every one of these areas. I am happy to change my mind and perspective as we learn and grow together. I’m not concerned with being the one to come up with the answer—just with ensuring we find the best solutions, no matter who gets the credit.
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