Responses from the candidates to question 1.

Jennifer Dougherty:  For more than twenty-two years, I have lived in and learned about our city.  My experience as a business owner, civic volunteer and mayor have helped prepare me for another term in city hall.  I have lived through many of the issues facing the residents of Frederick, including the impacts of regulation, parking, taxes, tourism, trash/recycling, snow removal and quality of life issues.  As mayor, I will work hard to deliver a completely transparent government and to challenge all city employees to exceed expectations for our citizens.  I will make sure that our standard of living, coupled with proper planning, allows Frederick to be a vibrant, exciting and affordable place to live.

Jason Judd:  I grew up in Frederick, graduated from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, and live downtown with my wife, Pouv, and our two children—one’s at Parkway, the other is on her way.  I serve as a director of the Frederick County Workforce Development  Board, and am  a member of the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, and Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ.  My work as a community organizer, national campaign director, and economic policy expert provides a background that will serve me well if we win this campaign.  First, I’ve learned how to help organize not just people but institutions—congregations, business leaders, schools, elected leaders—to bring together and sustain relationships with people who have very different perspectives.  Second, I’ve learned working on issue campaigns at the local and national level to see the big picture and ask the right questions, to be flexible and see alternatives, and to delegate jobs so I don’t get bogged down micro-managing projects better left to staff.  Third, I’ve learned how to motivate staff and volunteers, working together to get the most from very limited resources.  Finally, I know the value of listening carefully to everyday experts—people who have ideas about how to make the city better, and the energy to help us make them happen.

Randy McClement:  For most of my professional career, I have been a manager or leader.  For six years, I worked for a large firm, selling computer equipment to the federal government.  I worked for a property management for as their Director of Management for thirteen years, so I am well versed in preparing budgets, communicating with residents and working with contractors.  For the past ten years, my wife and I have owned and operated The Market Bagel & Deli, in Downtown Frederick, which have      More