TRISH FOR COMMISH

 

Trish Cunningham. Resident of Frederick County since 1987.

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REAL PEOPLE RUNNING FOR REAL ISSUES

 

 

Here are just a few collections of Trish in the News standing up for what she believes is right.

 

 

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IN THE NEWS

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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