The forum, at the newly opened Bernard Brown Community Center, attracted nearly every candidate to respond to concerns of city residents representing Frederick 's 12 NACs.

"The bottom line is bringing the city to residents, bringing residents to the city," said Beth Conny, an organizer of Thursday night's forum.

Ten of the 12 city candidates responded to randomly drawn questions and were presented a NAC "wish list" with requests ranging from more police to better promotion of neighborhood council activities.

"This is your cheat sheet for the next four years," Conny said.

Randy McClement, the Republican mayoral candidate, said he would immediately address the issue of speeding by supporting cameras to catch and ticket fast moving motorists.

The current mayor and Board of Aldermen is considering a speed camera program for the city.

"I think the speed cameras would be a good investment for us," he said.

Jason Judd, Democratic candidate for mayor, said he would make it a priority to bring forth legislation to address the parking of oversized vehicles on neighborhood streets.

The issue, long seen as a symptom or result of residential overcrowding, was unsuccessfully brought forward during the current administration.

"I would love to have NACs banded together and pulling together on issues you have agreement on," he said.

Kelly Russell, a Democrat running for alderman, said she would try hard to support the annual $1,000 the city funds each NAC each year.

"Bits of moneys that can be invested and parlayed into bigger projects is critical," she said.

Republican Alderman C. Paul Smith, running for his second term, said he would continue working with the State Highway Administration to address problem intersections like Thomas Johnson Drive and Opossumtown Pike.

"We need more lanes at that intersection and the state is working with us," he said.

Democrat Carol Krimm said she would look at new options in technology to make the police force more efficient. She said she would also look at a state program that would create better communication between government agencies on matters of public safety.

"We do need more police officers in the city," she said.

Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak, a Democrat running for a fourth term, said she has been the board member most involved in NAC issues. She said she tries to make it to a few of the monthly NAC meetings each week.

"I think the NACs are the best thing that have happened probably in the last 12 years I have been in office," she said.

Democrat Michael O'Connor said the city needs to use the tools it has to deal with blight from abandoned and vacant buildings, but first has to find out why such situations are happening.

"A comprehensive assessment of our vacant properties is the first step," he said.

Republican Shelley Aloi said the city needs to trust the economic development department to develop a strategy for the revitalization of the Golden Mile, a commercial strip of U.S. 40 on Frederick 's west end.

"I'd like to propose we reinstate the Golden Mile Alliance and model it after the Downtown Frederick Partnership," she said.

Karen Young, a Democrat, said the best way to engage the city's Hispanic community is through educational efforts. She said she was first among the aldermanic candidates to provide a Spanish translation of her election web site.

"Other than being sensitive at times to having translation and cultural eventsÉI think education is critical too," she said.

Amanda Haddaway, a Republican, agreed with a policy in Madison, Wis. that requires elected officials to attend four neighborhood meetings a year. She said she would also support bringing the NACs and elected leaders closer.

"I am supportive of having an aldermanic liaison to the NACs," she said.

Frederick 's general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. Voters will select a new mayor and five aldermen.

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