(1/2019) Happy New Year! My goal for 2019 is simple. It’s all about making life better for people. That’s what we do in county government every day. The focus is always on people and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to live well and to achieve their dreams.

One of my priority focuses this term is to keep agriculture economically viable. This is a big challenge. In the past few years, our farmers and agriculture community have experienced terrible weather and low commodity prices, which created economic hardship. Why is this important? As agriculture goes, so go the economies and success of our small towns and rural villages. In the months ahead, I will be engaging our agricultural businesses, our agricultural boards and commissions, and best minds and biggest thinkers in economic development to work to support our farmers and ensure the long-term economic viability of agriculture in Frederick County.

One great example of helping our rural economies is the promotional video that Thurmont created. The brainchild of Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder, the video invites people to visit both its agricultural businesses and the downtown area. "Main Street Thurmont: Gateway to Endless Opportunity" is an excellent, high-quality production. If you haven’t seen it, you should. The video is available online at https://youtu.be/dza_Lluxbdc.

Veterans Advisory Council

I’m pleased to announce that the new Frederick County Veterans Advisory Council will hold its first meeting this month. I proposed the council’s creation as a way to link the county’s estimated 17,000 military veterans with community and governmental services to improve their quality of life. Young people returning home from service may need some help and guidance connecting to educational opportunities. Some of our brave men and women are experiencing the effects of PTSD, and they and their families may need counseling, medical support and other care. I firmly believe we need to do our utmost to ensure that our veterans are fully supported and are connected to the resources they need.

The Veterans Advisory Council will provide a forum for Frederick County’s veterans of all our nation’s wars and conflicts, those who served long ago and those who served more recently, to share and voice their issues, concerns, and ideas. The Council will serve as a conduit for information and resources to help veterans and their families who may need assistance to further their education, find employment, receive counseling, or other support services. Oftentimes, people simply do not know what services are available to them.

The first meeting of the Veterans Advisory Council will be Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in Winchester Hall. For those who are interested but are unable to attend, the meeting will be broadcast live on FCG TV and available for viewing online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV.

Frederick County Government works every day to make life better for people, from farmers to veterans and beyond. Another example comes from the county’s Division of Fire & Rescue Services. The division has provided career staff to assist our many volunteer fire and rescue companies as demand for service increases and finding volunteers becomes more challenging. On December 22nd, at the request of Thurmont Community Ambulance Service, career staff have been assigned to the ambulance station 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This move will help to provide the best possible care to citizens.

Looking ahead

If you are looking for something to do on a chilly winter day, Frederick County Public Libraries are always a great place to start. This month, you can enjoy the Frederick Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Storytime at the Walkersville branch on January 28th, learn how to transform glass bottles at the Emmitsburg branch on January 12th, or combine storytime with a hike starting at the Thurmont Regional Library on January 5th. Our libraries are exciting places that bring more than 2 million visitors through their doors each year.

Frederick County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We live in a caring community and can all be proud to call Frederick County home!