From the desk of County Commissioner Gardner

Originally posted in the Emmitsburg News-Journal, September, 2010
by Jan Gardner
(President of the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners)
http://wwww.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/ce/cc/fc/2010/ccjg2.htm

It’s an election year! As usual, the candidates are out and about promoting their platforms, attending events and candidate forums, and working to advance their message. Some folks call election season “silly season” due to candidates making outrageous and unrealistic claims, targeting their opponents with negative ads, and a lot of blustery rhetoric. If only it were so simple to solve the complex problems we face through “common sense”. This election season is shaping up to be an exceptional “silly season”.

The election for Frederick County Commissioner has focused on a few hot topics – budget and taxes, jobs, and growth. Only two incumbents, Commissioners Kai Hagen and David Gray, are running for re-election. Most of the candidates are “new” on the scene and unfamiliar to most voters. There are a few exceptions like Bob White, who has served on the county planning commission for several terms and has been actively involved in the community, and Ellis Burruss, who has served on many committees in Brunswick including Economic Development and the planning commission. These candidates have already demonstrated their commitment to Frederick County and have knowledge of the county and the community. Unfortunately, much of the election conversation and debate is rhetoric and lacking in factual information or knowledge of county government.

Budget and Taxes

There is a need to set the record straight on the county budget. Several candidates, including Kirby Delauter, Blaine Young, and Billy Shreve are falsely claiming that the current county commissioners have been spending money they don’t have, recklessly hiring new employees and operating with a budget deficit. Nothing could be further from the truth. The County Commissioners have responsibly managed the county budget by focusing on providing essential services while reducing the county budget by over 9% over the past two years. The County has had a hiring freeze in place for over two years and has reduced the county workforce by 8%. Frederick County has also achieved an increase in the county bond rating moving up to AAA bond rating from Fitch. The upgrade in the bond rating is in recognition of the fiscally responsible and conservative budgeting of the county commissioners. Due to the hard work of Commissioner David Gray, Commissioner Kai Hagen, myself, and county division directors, the county budget has been trimmed through many hours of focused effort. The resulting budget ensures excellent schools, a safe community, maintained roads and bridges, wonderful parks and libraries and the future prosperity of the County. The county has not raised taxes and has lived within its means. Any candidate who suggests that the county does not have a balanced budget is simply not being truthful. Avoid candidates who spew rhetoric and offer no specific suggestions or solutions. Empty promises and inaccurate information and ranting radio ads should never win an election.

Jobs and Economic Development

The entire country is experiencing the impacts of an economic recession. Frederick County has certainly experienced the impact of the economic downturn but has weathered the storm much better than most of the country. Frederick County’s unemployment rate in June of 2010 is 6.5% compared with 7.4% in the State of Maryland and over 9.0% in the country. While the unemployment rate is higher than it was a few years ago, the unemployment rate has improved in recent months. From 2005 to 2009, Frederick County has been the 6th highest number of new jobs created among counties in Maryland. Frederick County is one of only ten counties in Maryland that has experienced positive job growth over this period of time. Frederick County is targeting new job growth in biosciences, technology, IT, manufacturing, agriculture, and in renewable/green technologies. The County is focused on small business because 98% of the businesses in Frederick County have fewer than 100 employees. To support business, the county offers redevelopment tax credit programs to fill vacant space, supports five Maryland Main Street programs, offers a variety of support for small businesses through the Small Business Development Center, and supports emerging start-ups through the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc, Frederick County’s business incubator. Over 200 direct new jobs have been created through the business incubator. The County has also benefited with new jobs from the expansion at Fort Detrick and has actively participated in the MD State BRAC Action Plan. We have new business construction underway in Urbana with the new Banner Life Insurance headquarters, the new National Cancer Institute /SAIC building at Riverside Corporate Research Park, and an approved office and research center off of MD 85 in Westview South. While there have been some job losses, there has actually been net job growth in Frederick County. Frederick County is open for business.

(I also want to correct the inaccurate statements made by several candidate who stated that Citigroup had laid off 900 employees. This is not true. Only 38 employees are being laid off. All other employees are being offered the opportunity to work from home or are transferring to another office.)

Growth

The County Commissioners recently adopted a new County Comprehensive Plan that provides adequate zoning to accommodate residential and commercial growth over the next 20 years. There are over 17,000 housing units in the current housing pipeline. Over 4,000 lots currently have all approvals and could pull a permit if there was a buyer for the house. This inventory will take many, many years to absorb. There are over 2,000 acres of vacant zoned land for business development which will accommodate future business growth. This plan focuses growth in traditional growth areas and protects our agricultural business viability, our cultural and historic assets, and complies with state growth guidelines so the county will qualify for state funding for schools, roads, and agricultural preservation. Some candidates have pledged to overturn this plan, over zone the county thus shifting huge tax burdens to county residents, overcrowd our schools, congest our roads, and ruin the county’s quality of life. These candidates are receiving contributions and support from special interest groups that do not have the interest of the average resident in mind. Some candidates have suggested that the county comprehensive plan included numerous unfair down zonings when in reality the majority of the changes, over 90%, were to reflect the changes in the 100 year flood plan or to reflect changes in reality such as the inability to provide water and sewer or needed road improvements. Voters beware of candidates who wish to return to the day of special interests running the county.

Be an Educated Voter

In conclusion, I encourage people to vote in the upcoming primary and to be educated voters. Read the candidate web pages for substantive ideas and solutions not just vapid rhetoric; listen to their words and their ability to effectively communicate; evaluate their ability to interact professionally and represent the county’s best interest with the bond rating agencies in New York City or with the state legislators in Annapolis and others outside the county. Do you think the candidate will be able to behave well, speak articulately and sell the county to large businesses who may be interested in re-locating to Frederick County? There are some well qualified people in the race for county commissioner, including incumbents Kai Hagen and David Gray, new candidates Bob White, Linda Norris, Ellis Burruss, and Janice Wiles. There are some totally unprepared and ranting candidates spreading fear, anxiety and misinformation. I will leave it up to the readers to figure out who they are. Actions do speak louder than rhetoric!