Accountability, crime will be Ashman’s focus

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Accountability, crime will be Ashman’s focus

Jud Ashman says he will ‘live and breathe’ open government

by Chris Robinson | Staff Writer

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As Jud Ashman makes his second run for Gaithersburg City Council, his focus has shifted from controlled growth to government accountability.

He applauded his former running mate and current Councilman Michael A. Sesma’s contributions, including helping pass the city’s first Adequate Public Facilities ordinance, which sets infrastructure standards for development.

Planned developments such as Aventiene, formerly known as Crown Farm, still deserve a close watch as they advance, he said.

Ashman, 36, a small business owner, is one of seven newcomers vying for three spots on City Council to be vacated in November by incumbents Stanley J. Alster, Geri Edens and John B. Schlichting.

He is running on a ticket with Cathy Drzyzgula, and said their experience with local government sets them apart from other candidates.

The city has not demonstrated open government in recent years, something Ashman said he will rectify.

Most notable are the travel policy, where elected officials could bring spouses on city-sponsored trips, and the initial dialogue behind closed doors to select a site for a day-laborer center, Ashman said.

Its current site at Crabbs Branch Way is suitable, Ashman said, adding that he also supports enforcing the anti-solicitation ordinance once Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler rules on its legality.

Ashman moved to Gaithersburg from Florida about 10 years ago, and has been active in school PTAs for nearly a decade. He also was involved in helping revise Gaithersburg’s master plan in 2002.

‘‘I’ve been here, I’ve been involved,” he said. ‘‘... I have no intention of going anywhere and I want to do good things in the city.”

Though Ashman lost the 2005 election, he said he is optimistic because this time he has better name and platform recognition.

Advancing the decade-long Olde Towne revitalization process, something Ashman said city leaders have ‘‘been dragging their feet on,” is another of his key issues. He envisions a mix of commercial, residential and retail developments with a clock tower as the centerpiece and possibly the addition of a performance theatre.

More Gaithersburg police officers will ensure that effort by squelching the rising crime in Olde Towne, he said. The beat plan is a good step, but it must include more districts so that police can work one-on-one with residents, Ashman said.

Ashman received a bachelor’s in communications and political science from the University of Miami. The father of two teens lives with his wife Elizabeth in the Orchard Place neighborhood.

Jud Ashman

Gaitherburg City Council

Age: 36

Experience: Gaithersburg Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee on Election Participation since 2007, Quince Orchard Cluster coordinator since 2005, Citizens for Smarter Growth chairman 2001-2003

Top Issues: Open government, crime, environment

For more: www.judandcathy.com