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In the second installment of The Gazette's Election Series, candidates responded to the question of how they would ensure/encourage more participation from residents and how they would make local government more accessible. Eighteen of the 20 aldermanic candidates responded. Their answers are below.

Mayoral candidate responses can be found in the Aug.13 issue of The Gazette.

Shelley Aloi (R)

First, I fully support the proactive work of the Neighborhood Advisory Councils and applaud what has been accomplished to date in creating relationship between citizens and city government. The city website, email addresses, telephone numbers and online meeting access support these efforts, but they are used by only a small percentage of the citizen population. To make city government even more accessible, I would encourage government officials to attend NAC meetings and continue face-to-face interaction with citizens long after the votes are cast. This walking our neighborhoods and talking to residents is invaluable in assuring citizen participation in city government.

Bill Ashton (R)

I think city government presently is very accessible with Mayor & BOA meetings, workshops, city commissions, Mayor & BOA workshops, televised on channel 99, past and present meetings can be viewed by the video function on the city website. The police have a sign up for press releases, crime map, and the recent Nixle program, there are the Neighborhood Advisory Councils, and just being able to reach out to elected officials and staff, by phone, e-mails, and making appointments and meeting with them. I encourage to the public to utilize the above that is already offered.

George Bauer (R)

We already have our meetings broadcasted on air, and streamed / archived online. So how do we get the citizens to attend and stay informed? I want to create an opt-in e-mail list of city residents that we, the city, can send out important information to. The information should include upcoming public meeting topics and reminders, weather and/or crime alerts, traffic and construction alerts, and other major events. I envision a sign-up screen that allows you to pick what alerts you want to receive and which ones you don't want to receive. The technology is readily accessible, let's use it!

Josh Bokee (D)

Offer a "Report It, Track It, Resolve It" option for residents to call in neighborhoods issues such as a broken streetlight and follow an issue's progress via the city's website. Strengthen the outreach role of the Neighborhood Advisory Councils and better utilize these forums to discuss new city policy ideas and initiatives. Continue making available city documents such as the budget in more detail online. Support community policing outreach efforts so residents are empowered to report suspicious criminal activities and continue receiving regular updates in return.

Bob Cassidy (R)

I think citizens can be encouraged to participate in our government via the Neighborhood Area Council meetings. I would like to see aldermen participation and attendance mandatory at these meetings. I would be very accessible to the citizens of Frederick, and would encourage them to stop me and talk about what is on their minds.

Senitta Conyers (R)

My campaign, "New Public Service- Citizen's First" is about engaging the community and working together. Elected officials can increase citizen participation by becoming more integrated in all of the communities, therefore being more accessible to all residents. Citizens need to know their issues are a concern and have numerous avenues of communicating with officials. Citizens must continue participating in their neighborhood advisory councils, city government meetings, writing letters to the newspaper and attending PTA meetings, just to name a few. We must identify the needs of our community and focus on those while ensuring the City of Frederick is operational.

John Daniels (D)

Accessibility encourages participation.

Standing at a podium and looking up to the decision-makers is intimidating. Rearrange meeting room to put everyone on the same level. Create an interactive website that provides the same documents, in advance, that alderman use for making decisions. Post budget decisions and progress of all CIP projects online. Create wireless meeting room with video display of current topics. Incorporate the ability to make real-time comments online. Encourage NAC participation by holding joint NAC meetings with aldermen in attendance. Conduct online forum to allow elected officials to address citizen concerns.

Amanda Haddaway (R)

I will increase communication between citizens and City Hall through the use of e-mail updates. I envision having an "opt-in" e-mail distribution list that citizens can sign-up to receive regular updates on self-selected topics. Regular press conferences for the mayor and BoA are also opportunities to communicate more frequently with citizens. NACs are a positive venue for communication from citizens to City Hall. I plan to increase participation in the NACs by working with local homeowners' association presidents and property managers so that city government can obtain a better idea of the issues that face each of our unique neighborhoods.

Chris Huckenpoehler (R)

Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm and the more folks feel they're engaged, the more they'll participate. I'd utilize the events already scheduled and available in our City in an effort to capitalize on any effort to promote accessibility. "Meet the Mayor night", "Meet the Aldermen Night", and even "Meet the Guy That Runs the Airport Night". I'm already very active here in volunteer work, and I believe that as Alderman, I can do the same in an attempt to engage any resident — to hear what they think, and have to say.

Alan Imhoff (R)

In the past two years the City of Frederick has reached out to its citizens and businesses through more meetings broadcast live on TV Channel 99, instituted streaming video and web archived the broadcast of those live meetings. Recently the City added Facebook and Twitter to its array of informational updates and within the past two weeks added a free new service Nixel giving neighborhood level information and alerts via text message or e-mail to registered citizens. Anyone can choose how much or little to participate when regular public meetings, phone calls and e-mail are added to the opportunities.

Andrew Kotkin (D)

The single greatest asset the City has to encourage participation is the NAC system. It can be an invaluable source of information for citizens, as well as City government. More can be done with them, as I believe they are underutilized by the current MBOA. Technology can do wonders for encouraging participation as well. I'd like to see something along the lines of a List Serve concept where people can register with the City website and be included in what goes on at City Hall, when it happens. There are many ideas. I believe technology will have to be involved.

Carol Krimm (D)

Transparency in government is necessary to achieve a free and open society. The Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) offer a great means for citizens to communicate with and be kept informed by city government. The Land Management Code Work Group, of which I am a member, is bringing forward new notice requirements for developments and annexations. An important component in the new requirements is the dissemination of information through the NACs. Also, we should have a budget briefing with an informal question and answer with finance staff for community members. An informal session may help in a better exchange of information.

Donna Kuzemchak (D)

I encourage citizen participation by responding to those who do call or email me, reading the minutes and following up on questions asked at NAC meetings, and emailing my list of about 200 citizens when something important is coming before us for a vote. I follow through on neighborhood issues and actually listen to what they have to tell me.

Michael O'Connor (D)

I spent my media career almost exclusively covering city and county government and I understand how important local issues are to the quality of life of residents. Expanding support for our Neighborhood Advisory Councils is one way to get citizens involved at the ground floor of government. We should also explore formalizing the way issues move from the NACs to City Hall. Expanded use of technology, including the web, social networks, and Channel 99, can give residents more opportunities to participate in ways, and at times, convenient to them. We should never stop asking our citizens to get involved

Kelly Russell (D)

We must actively facilitate an environment where government works in partnership with residents. The Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) should be more fully utilized as a conduit for information exchange. They need to be re-energized. Assigning an Alderman as liaison to the NACs will provide accountability/validity to the NAC mission. Establishing a full time Communications Coordinator/PIO will open the doors to City Hall and give citizens a contact point for information. A city education program such as "Frederick 101" can provide citizens with an overview of the city's departments; what they do, and how they collaborate on projects.

John William Shupe (R)

I'm not a politician I'm one of you the citizens of Frederick City. At this time none of those at City Hall are assessable to the majority of the people in Frederick City. I want to be the candidate that brings in those people to our meetings. I want the people to feel they can come to me and contact me with whatever they have a concern about. I will ask the residents to come out to more evening meetings at City Hall. I will also have people who I email regarding issues that are important in the city.

C. Paul Smith (R)

I would encourage citizens to attend Mayor and Board of Aldermen meetings and to talk to us and to send us written suggestions, comments and arguments. I personally try to consider the facts and reasons that people present to me in support of various positions/actions. So I appreciate getting emails and hard-copy letters and documents.

Karen Lewis Young (D)

I would start by encouraging everyone to join their local NAC. I would also work to ensure that the NACs are further empowered by having more input on decisions that directly affect their neighborhoods. I currently have an "Issues Survey" posted on my website. I have received excellent feedback on this outreach effort. I would encourage the city to post periodic surveys such as this on the city's website. I would also sponsor an effort to ask citizens to fill out "citizen satisfaction cards" after interacting with city personnel, particularly when working with permitting and code enforcement.

Email Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.