Candidates: We won’t ignore north county

Sherry Greenfield
The Gazette

It’s no secret that residents and leaders at the northern end of Frederick County have for years felt disconnected from the decision-makers at Winchester Hall.

The mayors of Thurmont and Emmitsburg said this week they want a board of county commissioners that will pay attention to their needs and regularly make the trip up U.S. Route 15 to visit their small, mountain towns.

Several of the candidates running for commissioner in the Nov. 7 General Election say, if elected, that is exactly what they plan to do.

‘‘I’m the only candidate for the board who lives in the north county," said Kai Hagen (D). ‘‘I love it here and will certainly be here the rest of my life. I know the north county very well, too, and am very well aware of the hopes and concerns of the people who live in this beautiful area ... It’s also clear that north county residents feel the region does not get the attention it should from the commissioners. And now that development pressures are growing in the area, benign neglect will not protect our interests, our landscape, or our communities."

Hagen already has a plan in place to forge a better relationship between north county and county commissioners.

‘‘One proposal that I will make shortly after getting elected is that a certain percentage of county commissioner work sessions and hearings — perhaps a third, or even half — take place in the town halls of our municipalities, from Thurmont to Mount Airy to Brunswick," he said. ‘‘In addition to the usual business on the agenda, each meeting would have time set aside to discuss local concerns and hear from citizens."

Republican candidate Charles Jenkins agreed it is ‘‘absolutely" necessary for commissioners to have a good working relationship with town leaders throughout the county. Jenkins believes he already has a good rapport with Thurmont Mayor Martin Burns and Emmitsburg Mayor James Hoover.

‘‘I think you have to [have a good relationship]," Jenkins said. ‘‘Especially as we talk about the issues of transportation. We absolutely have to have everyone in on the conversation."

Burns and Hoover said though municipalities have the right to govern themselves and want to keep that right, it is important for county commissioners to have a presence in their communities.

‘‘...The more densely populated areas do get more attention," Burns said. ‘‘I really don’t feel this current board, or any other for that matter, has ignored or slighted Thurmont, but I will say even if they have no business with the town, and they don’t say a thing at a meeting [their presence in town] still goes a very long way to my constituents in the north county."

With Emmitsburg so far away from Frederick — just minutes from the Pennsylvania line — Hoover said its residents sometimes feel isolated from county government.

‘‘I’d like to see Winchester Hall moved to northern Frederick County," Hoover said jokingly.

On a serious note, Hoover said he would like commissioners to come to Emmitsburg more often.

‘‘With the exception of [Commissioner Michael L. Cady (R)] they only come when invited or if it’s a special event," he said. ‘‘I think [commissioners] understand the issues, but I don’t think they understand the impact of the issues on residents and the town."

Hoover contends that by not making regular visits to the town, commissioners lack an understanding of how residents feel.

‘‘The town should still be responsible for the town, but I think [commissioners’] opinion is still very strong in the residents’ minds," he said.

Cady, who is running for re-election, is well known to municipal leaders throughout the county because of his regular visits.

Both Burns and Hoover say that during the last four years Cady has been the most visible commissioner in their towns.

‘‘Commissioner Cady has consistently come up to Thurmont," Burns said. ‘‘Every time we’ve asked, he’s done it. He’s done a lot for Thurmont," for example, initiating the replacement of basketball nets at Thurmont’s recreation area.

When he ran for office in 2002, Cady pledged to regularly visit the county’s 12 municipalities.

‘‘I made a commitment that I would visit at least three times a year," Cady said. ‘‘I think it’s very important. You get a flavor for each of those municipalities. You get to meet the leaders and decision makers."

When Cady attends a town meeting he usually gives an update on county business that impacts the area he is visiting. Residents watching the meetings broadcast on television have also contacted Cady with concerns, because they see him in the audience, he said.

‘‘I feel very informed and I think it helps [me] be a better commissioner," he said.