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Following Frederick Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger's decision to drop out of the 2009 election Tuesday, opponents are sizing up the city's changing political climate.

Holtzinger (R) said that he feels comfortable with his decision and that he plans to move on from the election and focus on city business.

The remaining mayoral candidates had mixed reactions to Holtzinger's surprise announcement. Holtzinger's former opponent on the Republican ticket, Randy McClement, said that he was surprised to hear the news. McClement, owner of Market Street Bagels in downtown Frederick, said that Holtzinger's withdrawal could free up funds and votes among supporters who may have otherwise been split. But, he said that he's more interested in campaigning based on his own agenda.

"We've been forming plans on how we're going to run against candidates, and I have to admit that I had concerns about running against someone in my party who's also a seated mayor," McClement said. "But, I've always said the one thing I would not do is run against a person. I am running for myself, on what I believe. I don't believe in things because Jeff doesn't."

Former mayor and current Democratic candidate Jennifer P. Dougherty said that she was more concerned as a resident than a candidate about how Holtzinger would carry out the duration of his term.

"It doesn't really change the game for me, with the exception of my interest in how he's going to handle the next seven months," Dougherty said. "He's not going to stand in front of voters again, which is of concern for me because I think in becoming less concerned about his image and his legacy, he's going to be less concerned about how government operates and money is allocated."

Dougherty said that she hopes Holtzinger focuses on what's best for city residents.

"He has to choose what matters to him as a person," she added. "It doesn't really seem like he ever enjoyed the job. But, as a public official, he has the obligation to serve us well, because that's what we're paying him for."

Keeping in his trademark, low-key form, Holtzinger formally withdrew from the race in front of a small crowd on the steps of City Hall. Holtzinger brought a white board on which he wrote four accomplishments. In a 10-minute-speech, he elaborated on his campaign promises four years ago.

Holtzinger's speech ended with: "But when I look back at what my goals were four years ago …what has been accomplished in the city since that time clearly leads me to the decision not to run again."

Holtzinger said that he has taken pride in reforming what he considered a top-heavy city government, which he said has saved the city at least $500,000 per year and improved teamwork among city staff; securing and expanding the city's water supply; upgrading the city's wastewater treatment facilities; locking in an adequate public facilities ordinance; acquiring an ideal site for a regional park; and making strides toward the completion of Monocacy Boulevard.

He also defended some of his most expensive and highly criticized decisions, namely the acquisition of the Hargett Farm property for development of a regional park and the early retirement program for city employees — both legacies that he said he believes will pan out in the city's favor, despite their negative attention.

When asked how much of the negative attention factored into his decision to drop his bid, Holtzinger replied: "Almost none." In the end, Holtzinger said that while he would not rule out running for public office again, he is looking forward to returning to practicing law and engineering.

"I did what I said I was going to do, and it was never my intention to make a career out of this job," he said. "Everything I said [I would do] is on solid footing, or on its way."

Remaining in the mayor's race are Democrats Dougherty and Jason Judd and Republicans Clint P. Hoffman and McClement. The deadline to file is July 7.The city's primary election will take place on Sept. 15. The general election is Nov. 3.

Alderman Smith runs for re-election

Alderman C. Paul Smith (R) announced last week that he would seek re-election for a second term on Frederick's Board of Aldermen. Smith, surrounded by notable Frederick Republicans, announced his candidacy on the steps of City Hall.

Smith highlighted vision, sound judgment and strong personal qualities as his qualifications for retaining his seat, touching on his stern — albeit sometimes unpopular — positions on a number of city issues during his term.

"You need someone who can politely, but firmly, speak up for what they believe in, [despite] pressure from the crowd," Smith said.

Most recently, Smith, 58, has come out in strong opposition of putting a floor on the city's pension plans, saying that he believes that retirees — who could face a decrease in their annuity payments — should face the same economic effects as other city employees who are not receiving a cost of living adjustment this year.

Smith has also criticized the external audit of the city's early retirement buyout plan, which he said was not thorough enough in examining just how much the city stands to lose during the course of the plan, which has already shown savings.

"I would not do it again because it has been a huge distraction," Smith said. "Having said that, the discussion of that has been so superficial, it's pathetic."

Smith said that he believes that the decisions the current administration has made has saved the city significant amount of money and built morale in City Hall. He has also come out in strong support of raising aldermanic salaries, despite a tough economic year.

"I believe the decisions I have made have more than saved the city money," Smith said.

But, Smith said that he still sees room for improvement, most notably, that of major projects that could improve traffic in the city. Of most importance, he said, is the widening and expansion of Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 15 and the completion of the Monocacy Boulevard.

Smith also said that he believes that the city needs to capitalize more on being a hub of Western Maryland and provide more fertile ground for the city's businesses.

Smith, an attorney, has lived in Frederick since 1992. He has 12 children and owns his own law practice in Montgomery County.

Smith joins fellow incumbent Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D) on the ballot. Republican candidates include Senitta Conyers and John Shupe; Democrats include Andrew Kotkin, Karen Lewis Young, Michael O'Connor and Kelly Russell.

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