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After months of considering a mayoral bid, Frederick Alderman David "Kip" Koontz ultimately rejected a run at the higher office, announcing Friday that he would seek a second term on the Board of Aldermen.

Koontz (D) made his announcement at the Frederick Towne Mall on U.S. Route 40 before a small crowd of colleagues and residents. He said that family health concerns prevented him from running for mayor, but he had plenty more to do as an alderman.

Koontz, 46, drew on accomplishments and mistakes in his current term to emphasize the strengths he would bring to the next administration. His biggest mistake, he said, was voting for the highly contentious Early Retirement Incentive Program, which he tried to rectify in the weeks after it was passed by proposing that aldermen reconsider it.

"It was a mistake, but I tried to fix it," Koontz said. "I tried my best."

Koontz cited his votes to pass the city's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance — which requires adequate roads, schools and other facilities before new development is approved — and a "moderately priced dwelling unit" program in the city. He also cited his support for critical city entities, such as the Weinberg Center for the Arts, the Frederick Police Department and the Office of Code Enforcement during annual budget negotiations. He said this support contributed to help the Weinberg become profitable, added more police to city street patrols and more code enforcement officers.

"I've worked to do a lot for the City of Frederick and we need to keep going," Koontz said. "I'm still going to help Frederick move forward."

Koontz used the backdrop of the Frederick Towne Mall during his announcement to emphasize his future focus. He said that the diminishing nature of the stretch of U.S. Route 40 that the mall sits on is evidence that leaders have to prioritize parts of the city other than downtown.

"If we spend $10 [million] to $15 million on Carroll Creek — which is wonderful — we should see if we have $10 [million] to $15 million projects in other parts of the city other than downtown," he said. "We all talk about other neighborhoods need attention, and we haven't really put our money where our mouth is."

Josh Bokee

Josh Bokee (D), a member of the city's planning commission for three years, is ready to make decisions as an alderman instead.

Bokee hopes to transfer his deliberative approach to the city's development to its financial stability, continuing economic viability for city businesses and residents and revitalization of its neighborhoods.

"Clearly these are challenging times," Bokee said. "What's needed right now is a combination of leadership, ability to work together and fiscal responsibility."

Bokee, 35, announced his candidacy Tuesday. He outlined a platform that emphasized a comprehensive look at the city's future as a fluid process, job creation for residents and business retention. Transportation issues, support for public safety and working with all levels of government are priorities for Bokee, he said.

"One of the opportunities of the Board of Aldermen is being able to take a step back and say, ‘Are we going in the direction we want to?'… not just in budget season, but throughout," Bokee said.

Most important to the city's future, Bokee said, is making sure that residents can take care of themselves and their families. "Part of the mission of local government is to make sure the basics are taken care of — and while I think we do a good job — the question is how are we going to continue to take care of that when we have less resources to do that with?"

Bokee, a five-year resident, belongs to groups such as the United Way of Frederick County and his Neighborhood Advisory Council. He works for Comcast in government affairs.

"Every month the planning commission makes decisions that affect people's lives," Bokee said. "The thing that I've appreciated being on the commission is you have to be able to listen, you have to do your homework, you have to explain your decisions and reasoning and you're not going to make everybody happy …"

Other alderman candidates include Bill Ashton, George Bauer, Joe Cohen, Senitta Conyers, Amanda Haddaway, John William Shupe and incumbent C. Paul Smith on the Republican ticket. In addition to Bokee and Koontz, Democrats include John Daniels, Andrew Kotkin, Carol Krimm, Karen Lewis Young, incumbent Donna Kuzemchak, Michael O'Connor and Kelly Russell. The deadline for candidates to file is Tuesday.