That's the pitch Alderman David Koontz made at Thursday night's meeting, when he asked city residents to phone Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6th, and speak in favor of federal funding for some local road projects. At issue is Fort Detrick, and roughly 1,400 jobs coming to the installation under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
A relatively small number of those jobs, some 200-plus, will be military employees, Koontz said, and as a result, the city doesn't qualify for federal funds to pay for road improvements that will be needed to support the new jobs. Maryland's senators are open to seeking federal support for the local infrastructure needs BRAC will create, but Bartlett still needs some convincing, Koontz said. Failing to get help with the city's roads could put Frederick even farther behind on its infrastructure needs than it already is, he said.
This is a problem Frederick shares with Montgomery County, in terms of having many federal jobs, but not necessarily military ones, said Alderman Alan Imhoff. "We are aware of it and the lobbying is really what is necessary," he said. Bartlett just needs more details on the problem, said Mayor Jeff Holtzinger, who along with Imhoff and Alderman C.
Paul Smith, echoed Koontz's comments. The meeting is scheduled for June 16 at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
Invitees include members of congress from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as President George W. Bush. The recent collision on I-270 involving a vehicle in the president's motorcade would make a "great segue" into talking about improvements needed on the highway, Smith said.
At Wednesday's workshop, however, Koontz said he's been hearing from residents who are panning the idea. "Maybe there's some dogs out there," Smith replied. The Board of Aldermen do not have a meeting this week, but budget discussions are scheduled to continue during a workshop at 3 p.
m. Wednesday at City Hall. Also on Wednesday's agenda are a discussion of a transportation impact fee, the city's moderately-priced dwelling unit program, and bonds for the HOPE VI housing program.
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