Look to our future, look out for ourselves

In reading the article by Meg Tully in the Frederick News Post “Commissioner objects to $25,000 economic grant”, I couldn’t help but wonder how it is that the county didn’t have enough money to reimburse our tax equity payments, but was able to fund a grant for a privately owned, multi-million dollar company? Was this a maneuver to make right on the tax equity because the company is expanding into Frederick? Maybe, but we did learn one thing. We can no longer take for granted that our money paid to the county for duplicate services will come back to us for future budgets, as our current budget shortfalls are evidence.

If we are to be in the driver’s seat of our own future, we need to have City leaders that know the value of small and big business’ alike. If elected, I will look to foster a climate that will allow for smarter economic development through the attraction of small business’ focused on technology and the arts. The prosperity of these companies will have a direct impact on the residential tax base, easing the burdens of our residents.

The ability to “work where you live” is not just a catch phrase anymore. It is integral to how I envision Frederick’s future. If a population of this size has the ability to live, work, and play in the same place than the economic and environmental benefits will become a reality. This can only be achieved by a “smarter growth” plan. Concentrate on infill and density by using what is already existing and available to us now. Once we are economically and environmentally stable, then we can revisit the notion of adding another three or four thousand homes to balloon our population through annexation.

I live, work and play here in Frederick and whenever possible, spend my money here as well. A vote for me for Alderman will be a vote for Frederick’s future prosperity. A vote for me is a vote for a Frederick our children will thank us for when they have the ability to live, work and play here, as we hope to now.