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fitzwaterforfrederick
I work every day to make Frederick County a community where everyone can live, work, and thrive while enjoying a strong sense of place and belonging. I was elected County Executive after two terms on the County Council and 16 years as a teacher, and public education is my top priority. In my first three budgets, we increased education funding by 30% and prioritized school construction and renovation. If re-elected, I will continue to work to grow our economy and tackle affordability.
Data centers are the most regulated industry in the County. In 2023, I convened a Data Centers Workgroup and paused applications for new development. We created strict new standards for data centers, & proposed an overlay to prevent data center sprawl, ensure they can’t be built on 99% of our land, & limit development to an area with appropriate infrastructure. County governments cannot regulate electric utilities, & I have consistently encouraged state lawmakers to act on this critical issue.
We are prioritizing building housing on County-owned land, including construction of 150 affordable homes next to the Prospect Center, with access to schools, transit, and other services. We released our Housing Strategic Plan, a data-informed roadmap for addressing the housing affordability crisis- the first in a decade. I will introduce legislation to improve our moderately priced dwelling units ordinance. We have also significantly increased funding for the Housing Initiative Fund.
ICE’s enforcement tactics are designed to divide communities and foster division and fear. I condemn them in the strongest terms possible. I actively supported state legislation to ban 287(g) agreements between the federal government and local law enforcement. I increased grant programs which help immigrant-serving non-profit organizations, and I strengthened the County’s commitment to inclusive practices in the face of unprecedented federal pressure to end such programs.
Local governments are more important in the climate fight than ever because of the current administration’s relentless efforts to rollback environmental regulations.As County Executive, I advanced our Internal Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) & released our Community CEAP. I will prioritize decarbonizing County buildings & codifying electrification measures. We will continue our focus on projects like the Prospect Center solar array and microgrid to build operational & community resilience.
We must do more to meet older residents’ needs as our senior population continues to grow. As County Executive, I opened the Middletown 50+ Community Center, expanded tax credits for older residents, and launched a service coordination model designed to help seniors age in place. We’re conducting a feasibility study to ensure future senior centers meet the needs of older adults now and in the future. I will continue to prioritize building new senior centers and investing in senior housing.
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I am life long resident of Frederick County and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the U. of MD and Law Degree from Catholic University of America. I have seen the growth of Frederick and how it has not always been managed well. My experience as a Mayor, former City Engineer, and as a private sector Engineer and attorney have provided me with a unique insight into the issues with infrastructure and public services keeping pace with growth. I have 30 years experience in both professions.
As with any development a thorough analysis of adequate public facilities is a bare minimum. This is particularly the case with water supply for the data centers. Likewise for the needed electric power and how the data center demands on both will impact Frederick County residents. It is far from clear that this critical analysis took place. The City of Frederick has two data center sites and this also must be factored into the water supply issue as the City depends on the County for water supply
This is a very difficult issue for the government to tackle. The County could look to work with the Housing Authority to support its efforts to address affordable housing. Incentives to builders to be able to build more affordable housing units must be balanced with maintaining adequate public facilities, which in part is what drives up the costs to build residential units. Some fast-tracking of permits could also incentivize builders to build more affordable housing units.
As County Executive I would focus on Local Government issues and not look to interject County Government into Federal Government actions.
I would continue with sound development review for stormwater management and limiting impervious area as practical. This likely has the greatest effect on limiting our impact. I would also empower permit reviewers to work those submitting for permits to use common sense to increase energy efficient homes. I do not concur with the premise/conclusion of the question. However, I do believe in maintaining sound and common sense environmental practices to limit humans' impact on the environment
Although I am very fiscally conservative this is an area where the County needs to fund better. These services are best expanded through the Health Department . This is a quasi County agency. Therefore, the County would need to work with the State of Maryland to accomplish expanding the Health Department's ability to provide these services
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