Read below for the mayoral candidates' responses to questions posed to them prior to the Sept. 15 primary election.:
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Sep. 08]: Since the Golden Mile is such an eyesore, is there any thought of combining the shops at Fredericktowne Mall and Hillcrest Shopping Center, and then bulldozing down one of the centers to make way for a police substation and perhaps another law-enforcement type building? That would greatly help in the tremendous vacancies that exist at both malls.
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We need a new vision for the Fredericktowne Mall. It’s overdue, and one of my first meetings as Mayor will be with the developers who own the mall. Another facelift and a few more tenants there is not a long-term solution. A well-designed project there can anchor redevelopment on the west side, and I'll work hard for that. On the policing front, we can put one of our divisions such as Community Services on the west side, but doing that doesn’t require a grand redevelopment plan, just a commitment to a fixed police presence there. |
The city does not own either of the properties, so there is little government can do with how they are used. It is really at the discretion of the owner to market the property and choose a suitable buyer/tenant. What the City can do, and I would focus on, is use our Office of Economic Development to encourage companies to come to Frederick City and let them know what a vibrant community we have here.
As you may have noticed the Hillcrest Center has recently undergone a facelift and a new grocery store has moved in. In my opinion, this is the way free enterprise should work and how local government should be involved. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Sep. 04]: If elected will you request the immediate resignation(s) of all of the city employees who participated in the previous buyout program and were rehired in their previous or another position with the city.
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The buyout was a mistake and the ‘clean-up’—bringing folks back to work, ethics complaints, the confusion about second pensions—has been hard to watch. The buyout plus the bad economy means our budgets are going to be tight for years to come. If elected Mayor, I will reverse the budget process so that instead of just chipping and banging last year’s budget to fit into this year’s revenues, we make our most critical investments first. We’ll invest first in projects that will help create better jobs here and a broader tax base. That’s a strategic approach to the budget process. Announcing who or how many people you want to fire is not. |
I believe the Early Retirement Plan was rushed, not vetted properly and poorly managed. With the exception of two, the returning employees followed the rules of the program, were placed into the hiring pool and most returned at reduced salaries. Firing people for the sole reason they participated in this poorly managed program is a harsh step that would adversely impact the City. My plan for budget reform is to implement a Modified Zero Base Budget program. Requiring every department to start at zero with their budgets will ensure every hard earned tax dollar is spent efficiently. Reduction in staff may be a possible outcome of this program. In my administration, I plan on looking forward, leading to the future and learning from the past. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 19]: What are the current plans for the old Carmack-Jay's site at Fourth and North Market streets?
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A market of markets that includes local farmers, or another commercial use are good options. These were options seven years ago when Jennifer Dougherty sold it off quickly to close a budget gap.
I said in the FNP: “Carmack-Jay's is an example, on a small scale, of the damage you can do to a neighborhood when you don't do [economic development] right”. Our Economic Development Department does good work but needs a Mayor with a fresh perspective. I’ve worked on economic development issues around the country and our new campaign video at juddformayor.com is all about it. Take a look. |
Since I live and work downtown, I am very much a proponent of keeping downtown a thriving business area. With that said though, the city does not own the property, so there is little we can do with how the property is used. It is really at the discretion of the owner to market the property and choose a suitable buyer/tenant. What the City can do, and I would focus on, is use our Office of Economic Development to market companies about coming to Frederick City and let them know what a vibrant community we have here. I personally would love to see this parcel become a grocery store, but only the owners and the market can determine that. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 14]: It is my understanding the Board of Aldermen voted to accept a bid to build a shared use path between Baker and Waterford Parks (News Post 9/5/2008). The path was to be free from vehicle traffic, and would connect the east and west side of the city. The project has been in planning since 1999. The project was to begin Summer 2009, and it hasn't. Would you be against or in favor of moving this project forward?
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Making the city more pedestrian- and bike-friendly is a big priority for me--I’m a cyclist and a runner. The Waterford-Baker Park connection will also help us knit our neighborhoods together and get some traffic off of our crowded roads.
The larger plan to connect our parks has been simmering on the back burner for years, and I’ll move it to the front. Frederick should be a mecca for cyclists and folks who want more walkable neighborhoods.
Here’s a letter to the editor from a local cyclist, Anna Kelso, about how the next Mayor can help make this happen: click here |
I would be in favor of continuing this project. It is my understanding that the project was awarded and slated to move forward. The delay in the project is due to the connection under Route 15. As with any project this size, funding is a challenge. The concerns of the connection under Route 15 will add greatly to the cost. I would see what we can do to keep this project moving toward a positive conclusion.
We need to find ways to encourage the use of bikes and feet in our community. This shared use path is a great starting point. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 14]: I am 19 years old and have grown up in Frederick for 8 years. I have seen very little effort from the city to organize programs for teenagers who have massive amounts of free time. Without young people having adequate art, music and cultural programs that embrace their need to get involved in the community it is very easy for them to slip into risky behavior. At such a crucial age in development, it seems only necessary that teenagers are given more positive options when reaching out into their community. Do you believe that more time, money, and interest should be committed to alternative after-school programs for teenagers?
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The City has some great opportunities for our young people--Hillcrest Skate park and our summer swim programs are examples. Young people can design some of our best programs. I’ve spent many years bringing people together and will bring more young people into the City’s planning.
Let’s help organize an Education Partnership fund—see the details at www.juddformayor.com--that helps students coming out of our high schools go to college here in Frederick and win the good jobs we’re creating. |
I would disagree that the City has done little to organize programs that appeal to teenagers or young adults. I think we have a very robust cultural community with groups such as the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Celebrate Frederick and The Frederic Arts Council developing many events that appeal to both young and old and generally are completely free to attend. Some examples are the soccer tournament at Pangaea, skateboarding and video games at In the Streets and the summer movie night’s program. The city also created the Hillstreet Skate Park in an effort to give teenagers and skateboarders a park. There are also several non-city programs dedicated to keeping teens and young adults away from risky behavior as well that have had great success. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 12]: I am a condo owner. I pay city taxes and get no service except trash collection. Please address this. This is not fair. Why don’t we get the services or give us a different tax base?
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Our taxes allow the City to provide lots of important services—police protection, parks, summer recreation programs, roads, trash collection, water and sewer service, and more.
I’ll make sure the City does a better job communicating about the services it’s providing, and measuring right on the City’s website how well—or poorly—the City’s performing.
We also need to get a handle on taxes. The last administration raised property taxes twice in three years. City residents are basically paying twice for services and we should replace Frederick's “tax equity” system with “tax differential”, which would directly lower our County taxes. |
I understand your frustration but, trash is just one of the services City tax dollars cover. Other services your tax dollars contribute to are Police, snow removal, parks, street maintenance, water and sewer, street lights and many more. It is understandable you may feel like you do not get a lot from your City taxes, but you really do. As both a resident of the city and a downtown business owner, I feel the pinch of paying city taxes. I would do my best to make sure we operate within our budget so we do not find it necessary to raise taxes further. One way of doing this would be to institute a modified zero based budget program and setting realistic budget projections. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 10]: I've been a resident for 15 years and watched a quiet suburban neighborhood off Key Parkway turn into an area where I can't walk around at night. My house has been vandalized and burglarized and violent crimes are frequently committed in this area. I hear a lot about what is happening in the historic district and cosmetic changes to the city, but little about public safety. Shouldn't that be a priority and what actions will you take to ensure that it is if you are elected mayor?
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Keeping the city safe is government’s first job. I’ve ridden along with our cops and know what goes on. Every neighborhood needs a policing strategy designed with the people who live there. If the strategy’s not working, Chief Dine and his command officers need to hear it from you and the Mayor. They’ll respond. Prevention matters, and I want us to invest more in summer and after-school programs for older kids. We need an Education Partnership that invests in kids who might not otherwise make it to college. I fought for and won investments like these as a community organizer. |
I believe that the #1 responsibility of City government is Public Safety. It is the #1 item on my platform. It has been suggested that the City open a sub-station in the west side to help give a police presence. I have taken the time to speak with Chief Dine on this matter. He informs me that a sub-station would need to be manned by a police officer and that would take an officer off the street, where he/she would be the most effective. He is willing to move a division into that area. West end citizens and business owners deserve better. Working with the Chief and the Aldermen, an FPD western division will be one of my highest priorities when elected. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 10]: What experience do you have managing human resources?
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I’ve built and led diverse teams in complex organizations over the last nine years as an executive and national campaign director. My teams include lawyers, financial analysts, researchers, policy experts, media specialists, and lobbyists. I have had final responsibility for hiring, performance, and budgets. Our campaign website has the details: juddformayor.com. A good Mayor is not a micro-manager, but a leader who listens carefully, sets clear goals, and holds senior staff accountable. I’ll be that kind of Mayor, and will welcome the talents and energy of Frederick's "everyday experts"—folks with ideas about how to make Frederick better. |
I have held a variety of management positions both, professional and volunteer. I worked as a Federal Government sales representative for 6 years; managed homeowner associations for 13 years, about half as the Director of Management; owned and operated the Market Bagel and Deli downtown for the past 10 years. All of these positions have required extensive human resources management as well as other resources. In my volunteer life, I’m currently the VP of Celebrate Frederick, President of the Tourism Council, Co-chair of in the Streets, and a member of the Entrepreneurial Council. I also was Youth Director of my Church. These positions require excellent people skills, the ability to be diplomatic, organized and efficient, and the ability to manage both human and other resources. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 06]: What are you feelings on parking downtown?
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Parking enforcement on our streets downtown is notoriously efficient. I’ve paid plenty of tickets and every shop owner knows a customer lost to Frederick forever because of a quick ticket. It’s time to bring back our street corner parking pardons.
As Mayor, I’d like us reduce Saturday rates to help draw more weekend visitors. Let’s also try a “Mall on Market”—closing a block or two downtown to cars one evening a month as a way to pull more pedestrians downtown.
Our next Board and Mayor will also have to tackle parking issues in neighborhoods where there is over-crowding. |
Downtown parking must accommodate a variety of needs such as visitors, businesses and residents. I feel the City currently does a good job providing enough alternatives to accommodate most needs. The addition of 2 new decks will help alleviate some of the issues we may have with adequate parking. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 05]: Current local and state law does not give mayors or aldermen the legal right to alter or amend the actions of the Planning or Historic Preservation commissions. If you were elected would you ensure that all adjudicated past cases are brought into compliance with the law?
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The short answer is, Yes, unless those decisions are challenged legally. But there are a couple of bigger issues here. One, a Mayor—any executive—is not simply a conveyor belt, and has an obligation to set priorities for City staff. Two, as Mayor I’ll make sure we craft guidelines for the Historic Preservation Commission that make clear where the lines are and take account of the working families in the historic district who are struggling to fix their homes. Draft guidelines are waiting for the next Mayor. Our campaign website has more: juddformayor.com
/?p=1035&navid=39. |
The appeal processes of these commissions are onerous. Take for example the process for the Historic Preservation Commission. You must go to court to appeal a decision made by this body. After going through the long and rigorous process, which can take up to 60 days or longer, to make the applicant go through the expense of court is not consumer friendly. I would review that process and find a way to bring a more common sense appeal resolution to the system. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 03]: What should be done about Frederick Towne Mall?
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I loved to go the old mall when I was a kid, but it's past time to re-imagine that spot. The City needs to push for smart, mixed-use re-development there that helps us create better jobs, and safer and more walk-able neighborhoods on the west side of town. The planned redevelopment of Rockville Pike--another past-its-prime retail corridor--can be a model for Frederick.
Here's the larger point. When we spend taxpayers' money on economic development, we’ve got to make sure it’s helping to create good jobs and long-term economic growth for the city.
I don’t think the Golden Mile tax credits have done either at the Frederick Towne mall, and I don’t like the idea of giving subsidies from Frederick taxpayers to giant retailers like Home Depot. |
I would like to see the anchor stores remain and transform the building into a multi-story combination retail/commercial facility. Something along the lines of first floor retail and two to three floors of office that could house businesses needed to support the BRAC re-alignment at Ft. Detrick.
I would direct our Office of Economic Development to create an exploratory committee, in conjunction with Ft. Detrick, to make contact with those companies most needed to support the expanding needs of the base. These companies could be shown the benefits of moving and or expanding to Frederick due to the excellent work force the City offers. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Aug. 04]: Would you support extending the Red Line metro to Frederick?
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Yes. I’ve commuted to Washington for years and see two big needs. One, more and faster MARC service and--in the longer-run--a light-rail or Bus Rapid Transit system. That requires a Mayor who’s a consensus-builder and will really go to bat in Annapolis and Washington for better transit options for the thousands and thousands in Frederick who commute. I testified last month before the Maryland Transit Administration and State Highway Administration for transit along I-270. Two, we need a Mayor who understands economic policy and can bring more and better jobs to Frederick. Our website has more: www.juddformayor.com. |
I would always encourage any type of mass transit, but would be more in favor of finding a way to create an express MARC train line from our current two stations to the Shady Grove Metro Station. We already have rail in place to get from Frederick County to Washington D.C. Why not find a way to link that line to the Shady Grove Metro station and have passengers ride the Metro from there? I would think this would be a less costly and quicker solution then trying to create a whole new Metro line from Gaithersburg to Frederick. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Jul. 31]: What is your position on Frederick County's solid waste issue & the
proposed WTE facility?
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I am the only mayoral candidate to stand up for Frederick in front of the County Commissioners and raise questions about the proposed incinerator. Here’s what I said:
juddformayor.com/?p=1019&navid=43
The incinerator’s enormous cost, shaky economic model, site just south of the city, and drag on recycling—plus coming changes in air quality rules—mean we have to find an alternative among new waste technologies being tested now. As Mayor, I’ll make sure we start a commercial recycling program and recycle in our busiest public places like Baker Park, the stadium, and downtown. This should have been started 10 years ago. |
The County Commissioners will have to deal with how we manage trash disposal for the whole county. My job, as Mayor, will be to maximize the benefit and minimize the cost, whatever solution they settle on. There is not one solution to our waste removal concerns. While moving to single stream recycling has been a very positive move, we still must deal with the solid waste concern.
I currently sit on a committee formed by the Downtown Partnership to examine ways to start recycling for all City commercial customers. I would also reduce residential waste pick-up to once a week and increase recycle pick-up to twice a week, thus lowering the waste removal costs to all City residents. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Jul. 27]: What would your vote be for Historic Distric Overlay if the majority of homeowners were against the Historic District Overlay?
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I wouldn’t support a new historic preservation standard where homeowners have rejected it.
I live in our historic district, support the mission of the HPC, and know the value of our historic city center. But as a longtime coalition-builder, I like to see neighbors—and elected leaders—building consensus.
Neighborhoods that want to protect their historic character have options:
1.build consensus among neighbors on standards.
2.develop 'small area plans' to prevent tear-downs and huge additions.
3.use existing rules and the appeal process to protect distinctive neighborhoods.
Our website has more on HPC reform:
juddformayor.com/
?p=1035&navid=39 |
If a petition were presented to adopt a Historic District Overlay that did not contain the approval of the majority of the residents, as Mayor, I would feel it not appropriate to place on the agenda. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Jul. 28]: Can some of these funds be reflected by our city to rebuilding our historically battered sidewalks?!
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I’m with you on this one—my kids have been toppled by downtown sidewalks. And I’ve heard from people who have difficulty getting around—not just the disabled—that we’ve got to get on top of uneven sidewalks. I’m a runner and a cyclist. I will make a priority of knitting together the city-wide path we’ve been waiting for. It’ll help get more of us out of our cars, help draw visitors to Frederick, and help tie our neighborhoods together. Thanks for raising this issue, Joe. Frederick needs more ‘Everyday Experts’ like you to get involved in moving Frederick forward. |
I spoke with State Delegate Rick Weldon about available State funds for sidewalk repair. He informed me that there is a state program for assisting with sidewalk replacement, but it is restricted by funding availability and requires the City match State funds. I know that in the current budget climate, there is almost no state funding available.
I would support on going maintenance of our current sidewalks while continuing to find grant funding for sidewalk expansion and bike lane creation throughout the City possibly using cost effective alternative materials that maintain the City’s aesthetics. |
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Jason Judd - D |
Randy McClement - R |
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[Jul. 28]: What is your position on the future of the Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs)?
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I’m a former community organizer and admire the volunteers who do the unglamorous work of the NACs. It’s especially important in older neighborhoods that are in danger of being left behind as the city grows. But NACs and other institutions including businesses, congregations, and advocacy organizations can be bolder—proposing new policy, weighing in on the City’s budget and infrastructure investments. A good Mayor works to bring people and institutions into the conversation, and to build consensus. And a good Mayor has to be a good listener. I commit to joining different NAC meetings each month as Mayor. |
I believe that the NAC’s are just one of many useful communication tools at the disposal of the Mayor and Board. I feel we can better utilize them as a way to keep residents informed on status of City projects.
In order to gain resident input on the budget, I would create a budget sub-committee of the NAC’s to provide that input prior to creating my draft budget. |
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