George Wenschhof
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| Alderman Kelly Russell Clustered Spires High Wheel Bicycle Race |
When I
concluded my interview with Democratic alderman Kelly Russell, I asked her; why
do you want four more years? She
answered quickly, with a wide smile, a common sight for those who know her, and
said “I love the city and Frederick is growing and changing with amazing things
happening.” She added “it is important
to do things right and lasting in the future.”
Kelly
shared with me she felt public service was the highest honor and she received
the highest satisfaction from it. She
wants to continue to be in a position to help the city move forward.
We
discussed her accomplishments during her first term in office throughout most of the interview and Kelly spoke enthusiastically
about her support of “Rails and Trails” in the city.
The design
of the pedestrian and bicycle shared use pathway was aided with the help of a
Council of Governments grant and when completed, will connect the east and
west sides of the city.
She was
proud of her efforts to have $1.5 million included in the city capital
improvement budget this year to complete this project.
Working
with an ad-hoc bicycle and pedestrian committee, (now a permanent advisory committee),
Russell supported the creation of a loop that a bicyclist can use to visit 22
downtown Frederick historic sites that begins and ends at Tourism.
Alderman
Russell also was pleased during her early months in office, the board moved to
address resident concerns and safety issues by passing an oversized vehicle
ordinance that regulated the size of vehicles parked on residential streets.
Kelly
added she also brought forward legislation, during her first 11/2 years in
office, that passed with a 5-0 vote, to include “sexual preference” as a
protected class in the housing ordinance.
She spoke
excitedly about her time on the city planning commission and her efforts to
work with the historic preservation staff to establish a “demolition delay” on
structures 50 years or older. Kelly was
especially pleased with her efforts to assist in successfully protecting the “hillside
view” of the former Prospect Hall property by making the developers move an
apartment building that would have obstructed the picturesque view.
Another
law and resolution Russell noted she brought forward, addressed concerns of
many residents by banning the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana (Bath Salts).
Before
moving to a couple of questions left on my Facebook page for her, I asked her
about how communication was going between the mayor and aldermen. I reminded her she had complained to me about
the lack of communication by Mayor Randy McClement (R) during her first year in
office.
Kelly said
she had promoted the establishment of monthly meetings between members of the
board of alderman and the mayor, and as a result, communication had improved
for her. She added she had found a
comfort zone to get things accomplished and she doesn’t let frustration with
communication impede moving forward and getting things done for the city.
Devan
Markel Naylor asked alderman Russell on my Facebook page if she would be
willing to bring back bulk trash pick-up?
Kelly said she would like it to come back with a new name “free cycle
round-up” where the city would partner with nonprofits with a recycle truck
also available. The “free cycle round-up”
was piloted using the parking lot at Harry Grove Stadium on a Saturday.
Debra Santeufemio
was concerned there was too much littering in the city and wondered if the city
would consider a neighborhood clean up day.
Russell pointed out Downtown Frederick Partnership promotes “bring a
broom” Saturdays and suggested Debra contact her Neighborhood Advisory
Committee (NAC) and perhaps they could coordinate a neighborhood clean up day.
Kelly
Russell is one of eight Democratic and seven Republican candidates running for
the five member board of alderman.
The City
of Frederick primary election is September 10.
Stay
tuned.
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