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February 17,
2005
There were many
items looked at to ensure our city's solvency during the process
of developing the 2005 budget. One was a trash fee. Residents
asked that it be part of our property taxes, rather than as a
separate fee, because at least then it would be tax-deductible.
The Board of
Alderman, with the exception of David G. Lenhart, voted to pass
the budget.
Some residents
felt this increase was a hardship, at which point the Homestead
Property Tax Credit was introduced. While I am not opposed to
giving relief to those who need it, this was given to all
residents, in effect making the property tax increase null and
void.
On Jan. 20, the
Board of Aldermen had many changes to the city charter on the
agenda. One was to increase the aldermen's salary. Aldermen
Lenhart, Joseph W. Baldi and William G. Hall voted against it,
stating that the city could not afford it.
I did not hear
the three aldermen asking how the city would pay for the
homestead tax relief. What I did hear is that the three aldermen
wanted to supposedly open government to more residents, but then
slammed the door shut to all but the ones who are financially
independent to serve.
Yes, our city
has some cash flow problems, but I know it's temporary. With the
water problems being addressed, the improved downtown Carroll
Creek on the way, and the opening of East Street, I am confident
we will weather this temporary setback by the time the salary
increase goes into effect.
January 13,
2005
I am not
surprised that Frederick Commissioner Jan. H. Gardner won little
support last month for her effort to tighten the county's growth
policy.
The county
continues to build along our state and federal highways, knowing
well that the state will not pay for noise abatement. The county
already has 10 communities that will not receive noise abatement
without a "new land use ordinance."
The
commissioners' children are not the ones going to overcrowded,
failing schools. Their actions, or lack of, go to show who they
favor. It's too often the developers, not the residents.
If the
developers did not have to make such profits, maybe housing
costs would not be so outrageous. Developers, how about you take
a cut and give the rest of us a break?
Unless the
residents of this county want to look like Montgomery or
Baltimore, I suggest that you make your voices heard before it's
too late.
December 9,
2004
Opening
government to all is a good idea, but it needs guidelines.
I have lived in
the City of Frederick for five years, and I have learned a few
things in that time: when to put out the garbage (not before 5
p.m.); that we have bulk-trash pickup (I asked my neighbors what
they were doing when I saw them putting out their bulk trash);
and that we put leaves in the street for the city to collect.
These are
simple things to those who know about them, right?
But the laws of
the city are not so easy to learn. Therefore, one needs time to
know about them, no less to vote them into law for the rest of
us to live by.
I understand
that at one time the mayor needed to live in the city for five
years before running for office, and alderman three years. Could
someone tell me when and why this changed?
In the
meantime, I do not think we should change these requirements. If
it's not broke, don't fix it.
November 14, 2004
I know
something about quality of life with responsible growth. I moved
here in 1988 from irresponsible growth. I know firsthand what
happens to the quality of life when growth is taken over by
developers and builders.
The life you
had is gone. It is replaced with overburdened, failing schools
and roads; creeks that are put underground (no wading); and
garbage dumps that are mountains high. There is no more wild
life (other than the ones that live in sewers and come out at
night).
A word to the
wise: no growth without responsible planning.
Monocacy
Boulevard at best is a backroom sellout of the residents of
Frederick city. We are being asked to pay for a road that the
developers/builders agreed to build when they asked the city to
annex the land. They reneged on that legal agreement.
When the budget
was voted on, Aldermen David G. Lenhart voted against it, yet is
on record that he would have no trouble spending our taxes to
build Monocacy Boulevard for the developers/builders. Can't have
it both ways, Alderman Lenhart.
We also would
not have a debate about water if the planned reservoir was built
on the land the city owned 20 years ago. Instead, it was sold,
and the plan abandoned.
Developers have
to start building more water- and environment-friendly spaces
before they complain about the shortage. They do not help in
design to save the water we have, yet they want more. Water will
be the environmental nightmare of the 21st century.
Before you dog
Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty, ask yourself, What kind of county
do you want? Do you want a Montgomery or a Baltimore county?
Without careful planning, that is what you will get. Many of you
say that is not what you want. I know it's not what I want. I've
been through it, and believe me, once is more then enough.
Mar 3, 2004
Resident lobbies for noise relief
"This is 80!"
Trish Cunningham said, loudly, as she pointed to the trucks and
cars whizzing by her home, next to U.S. Route 15 in Frederick.
Nov 12, 2003
No relief from highway noise - (Nov 12 2003)
In the article
about the ICC ("New routes drag new homeowners into ICC fight,"
Nov. 5 Gazette.Net), Barneby Walsh wonders what it will be like
to live by a state highway. I invite Mr. Walsh to my home. My
back yard and U.S. 15 share the same property line. He or anyone
else that is interested can come and hear what it's like.
