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Frederick city's election ballot lost one Democrat and gained two others Monday.

Andrew "Andy" Kotkin, 35, a nine-year resident, filed to run for the Board of Aldermen immediately after former Democratic mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty announced her run for mayor, and Jack Lynch withdrew his name from the ballot.

Kotkin said that although he hasn't yet made a name in politics, he has a vested interest in the city's future. He moved to Frederick nine years ago, and lives with his wife and three children downtown. He owns Kotkin Management Group LLC, a residential project and construction management company in downtown Frederick.

Kotkin describes himself as "strictly a citizen," and one who's kept his eyes and ears open in the city, especially when it comes to decisions made by city leaders.

"I think the Board of Aldermen is a perfect venue for someone who's strictly just a citizen, because it's a representative of citizens," he said. "I am in no way ignorant or under a veil when it comes to government."

Kotkin said that smart growth and economic development within the city, more police presence and resident concerns such as trash and traffic are on his platform radar. The city's spending and comprehensive plan also concerns him, he said.

More importantly, Kotkin said, he would like to open government back up to the citizens, citing what he felt has been an "exorbitant" number of closed sessions held by current Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R), and what he sees as complacency on the part of the sitting aldermen.

"There's been a lot of stagnation in the current administration on the aldermanic side as well as the mayoral side, "Kotkin said. "I don't think this Board of Aldermen has stood up enough. You don't know where the board stands at times."

"I want to give a fresh voice to the government, and have the Board of Aldermen be representatives of the city, rather than representatives of the mayor," he added.

Freshly resurrected mayoral candidate, Dougherty said that she believes that Kotkin can bring his expertise in the construction industry to some of the city's planning initiatives.

"I think he brings a lot of interesting things to the table from the small guys' [perspective] as a business person who's been in the construction industry," she said. "His heart is in the right place and I know he's a curious and interested citizen, so it'll be fun to see how his campaign develops."

Kotkin joins fellow Democrat Kelly Russell and Republican Senitta Conyers in the aldermanic race.

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.