Smith will run for second alderman term
Originally published May 23, 2009
By Adam Behsudi
News-Post Staff
Alderman C. Paul Smith became the second incumbent to announce his candidacy for another term on Frederick 's highest board. "You need somebody who can politely but firmly ... stand up for what he believes in," said Smith, a Republican, during a short speech in front of City Hall. Smith, 58, said he will run for a second term on the Board of Aldermen. Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak, a Democrat, announced her candidacy for a fourth term. He defended some of his money-saving decisions and urged the city to move beyond other controversies. One such issue was an early retirement program that has been questioned by an independent study over its actual cost savings. "I think every one of the elected officials would do it differently," he said about the buyout plan, adding that it was becoming a distraction to the real issues. "I have no doubt this administration is saving the city at least $1 million per year," he said. Smith moved to the city in 1992 but has lived in Frederick County since 1979. He is married and has 11 kids. Smith said he understands the frustration many city residents have with traffic. The lawyer makes the daily commute down I-270 to Rockville, where he operates his own practice. "Roads have been a big deal to me," he said. During his time on the board he has also served on the transportation planning board for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a regional planning organization for city and county governments. If he wins another term, Smith said he would push for funding to widen and improve U.S. 15 through Frederick to include better interchanges at Rosemont Avenue, Seventh Street and Patrick Street. "Frederick is the hub of this whole part of Western Maryland," he said. To build Frederick as a hub, Smith said the city needs to attract more large businesses of the scale of the engineering company Bechtel and continue growth at the municipal airport. Within city government, Smith said he would continue to find savings with some projects but promote other initiatives as necessary. "The city needs to find a more suitable location for the police," he said. Smith is the third Republican to announce his candidacy. Once he formally files his paperwork, Smith will join Senitta Conyers and John Shupe on the city primary ballot. The Democratic primary field includes Andrew Kotkin, Michael O'Connor, Kelly Russell, John Daniels, Carol Krimm and Karen Young. Kuzemchak has yet to file her paperwork with the city. The primary election will be Sept. 15. Candidates have until July 7 to register.
|
