More News

After eight years working as a construction manager for Frederick County government, Jerry L. Trout has seen plenty that concerns him.

Trout wants to work on his concerns regarding how the county manages taxpayer money as a member the next Frederick Board of County Commissioners.

"It's been a rude awakening," Trout said Monday. "It's been very educational. That's the reason I am running."

Trout, who oversees the construction and renovation of new government buildings, roads and bridges, believes the county is paying too much for work that is unnecessary.

"You don't have to spend every ... cent you earn," he said. "We have to build efficiently. It drives me crazy. It seems like misguided funding."

Trout said there are too many employees working in upper management.

"There are teams of upper management and not enough worker bees," he said. "The most effective way is to combine services."

On the issue of the county's planned trash incinerator or "waste-to-energy facility," as some people call it, because it burns garbage to produce electricity, Trout would advocate to stop the process and evaluate other alternatives.

"We have some of the brightest minds living here in Frederick and Montgomery counties," he said. "There has got to be a technology available. I'm not saying we should bring in a consultant."

If elected, Trout said he would look into why the county is not more welcoming to new businesses.

"We need more economic development," he said. "We need good clean industries, like nursing homes and biotech companies. If I'm in there I will try to find out why we're not business friendly. Until I can sit down with the economic people I don't want to say."

Finally, Trout would also like a better working relationship between the county and the municipalities.

For example, he believes that county snowplow crews should have been used during the blizzard to help the municipalities that had difficulty plowing their own roads.

"Why can't the county highway's department help out in removing snow," he said. "[The county needs] to help and say to the towns ‘if you need help, give Frederick County a call.' That builds trust and that builds community. I think we need to serve everybody that lives in Frederick County."

-Residence: Woodsboro

-Age: 61

-Party: Democrat

-Education: Master's degree in business administration from Frostburg State University (2002); Bachelor's degree in science technology from Kansas State College, Pittsburg, Kansas (1976); graduate of Thurmont High School.

-Work experience: Construction manager for Frederick County government since 2002; 20-plus years in electronics manufacturing, aerospace defense contract and satellite manufacturing; six years in the construction trade as a carpenter, concrete finisher and layout engineer; aviation electrician and worked in electronics for the U.S. Navy.

-Family: Married, three grown children

-Top three issues: Budget, trash and economic development

-Previous political experience: None

-Other affiliations: Past president of the Glade Valley Lions, volunteer with the Glade Valley Food Bank and the Glade Valley Share Program, member of the Woodsboro American Legion, Glen W. Eyler Post 282

E-mail: jerry1959@aol.com