(11/2022) Get out and vote! If you haven’t already taken advantage of early voting or dropped off your ballot at a drop box, make sure you have a plan to vote on November 8th. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you don’t know where to go to vote, you can find your voting location at www.Frederickcountymd.gov/elections.

In this election, I am endorsing Jessica Fitzwater for County Executive. I am confident that she will carry on the good work of county government delivering strong schools, safe communities and a thriving economy. She will also treat county employees with dignity and respect and will listen to all sides of every issue.

I have been disappointed and disturbed by the outright dishonest and negative campaign ads from her opponent Michael Hough. So, let’s set the record straight.

Let’s start with taxes. Jessica Fitzwater has never voted to raise property taxes. Property tax rates have remained the same over the past 8 years. Jessica has voted to reduce the income tax rate by 7% for households earning less than $100,000 in taxable income; supported a veteran’s tax credit; and voted in favor of an expanded senior tax credit. Jessica Fitzwater is the only candidate for County Executive who has successfully voted to cut taxes. Some will say that assessments have gone up, so tax bills have gone up. While that is true, it is the case for both county and state property taxes. At the county level, property taxes are capped at an annual rate of 5%. As a state Senator, Michael Hough, never submitted a bill to reduce or "freeze" the state property taxes to offset assessment increases. He has also not proposed a cap on annual state property tax bills. Hough’s actions do not match his rhetoric. Hough has done nothing to reduce state property taxes.

Education. Jessica Fitzwater has a solid record of supporting public education with a focus on securing our children’s future. Michael Hough has a solid record of not supporting public education and even voted against school construction funding specifically designated for Frederick County. Hough seems more focused on criticizing teachers, administrators and Board of Education members and has led people to believe that as County Executive he will exercise authority and oversight over decisions that rest solely with our elected Board of Education members. Hough clearly wants to fight with our education leaders rather than work with them. If you want outstanding public education and recovery from the pandemic education loss, the only candidate in the race who will deliver is Jessica Fitzwater.

Policing. Michael Hough would have you believe that Jessica Fitzwater has voted to defund the police. That allegation is simply false. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over the past 8 years, Jessica has voted for every salary increase for our sheriff deputies and has supported hiring additional deputies. Twice in the past 8 years, the salary of our sheriff deputies was increased by 10% in one year to ensure competitive pay and to attract new hires. Most importantly, Jessica has actively supported the creation of a mobile crisis team to support our police on calls that involve mental health crisis, addiction, suicide and more. This effort has been supported by Sheriff Jenkins and has proven successful.

Dense Housing. How the county grows, and changes has long been controversial. It is very clear that people do not want urban sprawl to consume our beautiful farms and scenic vistas and express legitimate concerns about overcrowded schools and roads. Over the past 8 years, the county has approved very little new development - only two senior housing projects. All the development you see under construction in recent years was approved by either a municipality or the last Board of County Commissioners between 2012 and 2014. The last BOCC approved over 20,000 new housing units, waived many development requirements, disregarded the need for schools and roads, and locked these approvals in place with developer contracts. Frederick County residents will continue to see the approvals of the past build out for several more years. These contracts cannot be undone.

Meanwhile, Hough claims he will "ban" dense housing. The County Executive does not have the authority or ability to ban high density housing. Land use decisions rest with the County Council not the County Executive and the county has to comply with federal fair housing laws. Hough also claims that Jessica Fitzwater has approved massive dense housing. This is factually wrong and totally untrue. Hough is trying to instill fear and lay claim to future actions that the County Executive does not have the authority to implement.

Managing growth will takes both vision and consistent public policy. The next County Executive needs to keep the county focused on implementing the Livable Frederick Master Plan and continue the accelerated investment in agriculture preservation. Jessica Fitzwater has supported Livable Frederick and the acceleration of agriculture preservation and agriculture innovation grants to help our farms stay economically viable. I am confident that Jessica Fitzwater will work with the citizens and the county council to implement Livable Frederick.

Honesty. Citizens deserve elected officials who will tell them the truth. Citizens deserve to know what their county government is doing and that decisions are being made in the best interest of the public good. It is very clear that Michael Hough is not telling voters the truth. If he cannot tell the truth in a campaign, he will not tell you the truth if elected. Fundamental to good government is honesty and integrity. Citizens can rely on Jessica Fitzwater to tell them the truth and to deliver honest and open government.

All elections are important. Get out and vote! I encourage you to vote for Jessica Fitzwater for County Executive to secure a bright future for Frederick County.