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Frederick County Commissioner John "Lennie" Thompson Jr. has challenged aldermen seeking re-election to disclose whether they have had private meetings with any representatives of pending annexations, or benefited politically from their support.

"Aldermen who vote for the annexation are puppets whose strings are pulled by the developers," Thompson said.

Thompson (R), a Walkersville resident, who has vehemently opposed the annexation of more land into the city because of traffic concerns, said he was simply doing a civic duty by urging residents to probe whether there were any conflicts of interest as the aldermen prepare to make a decision to annex land as early as next month.

But Alderman David "Kip" Koontz (D) said he was offended by Thompson's implication that he and the other members of the board may be engaging in unethical behavior.

"Commissioner Thompson can take his allegations and take them up his proverbial poo-hole, because all he's doing is trying to accuse the Board of Aldermen of corruption," Koontz said. "People have come and said, ‘Let me show you a concept idea, not ‘Let me show you this concept idea and pressure you to vote for it."

Thompson's challenge was included in the latest packet of letters presented to the Board of Aldermen last week at their Wednesday workshop in opposition of the Summers Farm property, a 101-acre property located at southwest corner of Mount Phillip Road and U.S. Route 40, proposed to host a maximum of either 387 houses or 428,000 square feet of non-residential space.

"It's fair to ask because if they're having undisclosed public meetings…what was said there?" Thompson said. "Why would they meet privately with someone who has pending business with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen? It does cast a sense of concern over the entire process when there are two proceedings, private and public."

The aldermen may also vote on Sept. 3 to annex two other properties: the 285-acre Crum Farm at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 15 and Willow Road, which is proposed for mixed-use, and the 111-acre Thatcher Farm property, located at U.S. 15 and Biggs Ford Road, which is proposed for office space.

Because it is not illegal to have talks outside the boardroom with developers, the incumbents seeking re-election said they are going into their votes with a cleaconscience.

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D), who is seeking a fourth term, said that she has had meetings outside of the boardroom with developers of some of the properties at various stages throughout the annexation discussions, usually for the purposes of listening to new offers for the city.

Similarly, she said she has had private meetings with citizens, many of whom oppose the annexations, to hear their concerns. She said both have allowed her to look out for the best interest of the city and city residents.

"It's usually that I'm saying, ‘If you want me to look at this, you have to make sure that the environmental issues are taken care of, transportation issues are taken care of, because I can't go for this.' Most of what I've said in private, I've said publicly."

As far as campaign donations, Kuzemchak said she has never solicited campaign donations from developers, lobbyists or attorneys for the properties, and have not to date received any unsolicited donations.

"The small amount of money that would be given to the campaign is nothing compared to the amount of respect you would lose from citizens," Kuzemchak said.

Alderman Alan Imhoff (R), who is seeking his second term, said that on the donation front, he's clear, as he finances his own primary campaign. However, he too, said he has had meetings with some of the representatives from the annexed properties, as is normal in negotiations.

Imhoff (R ), who is the aldermanic liaison for the city's Planning Commission — which must approve the annexations before going before the board — said he has had meetings in both of his official capacities, and has no qualms about making it public.

"As a city alderman most all of us have been approached here at City Hall during discussions with the proffers, and that's normal," Imhoff said. "We're negotiating an agreement, so I don't see anything wrong about that. And in my role as a planning commissioner, I always state whether or not I have any meetings."

Alderman C. Paul Smith (R), who is also seeking a second term, said he has also only had meetings for negotiation purposes in the city's best interest. He also said he has not received any campaign support, but has no policy against accepting them in the future.

"I've talked with people on all of them, because I want to find out what they're doing, and we have the opportunity to get them to make concessions to give property to the ctiy, and perhaps give money to the city, and I'm interested in getting those benefits," he said.

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