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When Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R) and the Board of Aldermen took office in 2006, they held a meeting within in the first month where they merged their individual campaign platforms into one laundry list of priorities of what they wanted to accomplish in the four-year term.

Holtzinger and the Board of Aldermen had a vision for the city that included everything from adequate public facilities and water supply for its growth, to a smoothed out charter, to revamping the city's planning codes.

They also wanted to address quality-of-life issues by reducing the tax rate every year, combating traffic congestion by making progress on city roads and launching an intensive traffic study that would assess the future of the city's major highways.

Of many of their priorities identified four years ago, the city's current leaders can boast many accomplishments.

Among those accomplishments, is that the city now has an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to accommodate its growth and the Potomac Water Supply Agreement with Frederick County to expand the city's water supply. And the property tax rate has dropped two of the four years.

Construction on Monocacy Boulevard will begin this summer, alleviating congestion on the East end of the city, and the traffic impact study on U.S. Route 15 and Interstate 270 has leaders readying to lobby the state transportation agencies for more lanes, bridges and bypasses.

Quality-of-life issues, such as residential overcrowding, have seen its share of failed legislation this year, with ordinances proposed by two aldermen failing to make it to a vote.

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D) has proposed a mandatory rental licensing program, but the proposal stalled when Alderman Alan Imhoff (R) suggested a volunteer-based, registration program. The board has gone through numerous sessions of proposed revisions of the city's charter, which has not been brought to vote yet.

As seen by the particularly challenging budget year in 2010, budget planning has to begin as soon as the new administration takes office, according to the city's budget director.

Similarly, the future of the city's economic vitality has new challenges, leaders have acknowledged, that range from the need for major revisions to the city's planning and permitting processes to a reassessment of historic preservation.

As for remaining challenges, Holtzinger said he would lay a foundation for the new mayor and board. Holtzinger is not seeking a second term because he said he feels fulfilled his campaign promises.

But the mayor has also offered this advice in prioritizing those challenges: "You can't do business as usual."

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

All mayoral and aldermanic candidates were asked to identify what city issues, if elected, would top their priorities in the next four years.

The question: What city issues do you feel must be addressed in the next four years?

From Aug. 6 to Sept. 3, The Gazette will provide a series of stories and candidate forums to serve as a voter's guide leading up to the city's primary election on Sept. 15.

Each week the 2009 City of Frederick election candidates will be invited to sound off on a specific topic and question.

The mayoral candidate responses will be published in the paper, and aldermanic candidate responses will be published online on The Gazette's City of Frederick election page.

Readers can access this page at www.gazette.net/frederickelection2009 for all City of Frederick election coverage.

Democrats

Jennifer Dougherty

Served as Frederick's first female mayor from 2002 to 2006. She lost a re-election bid in 2005. A downtown business owner for 20 years, Dougherty now works as a Realtor in Frederick. She is 48 years old.

Control Spending – My "7 Steps to Lower Our Taxes" starts with spending cuts, economic development, and "tax equity;" Invest in Public Safety. Protect Quality of Life with job creation, sensible growth management, and superior infrastructure; Complete next phase of Carroll Creek Park; Re-Establish the Golden Mile Task Force to encourage investment and job growth; Get Off the Grid by investing in alternative energy sources. Adopt Progressive Policies - "Green" Building Permits, Civilian Conservation Corps, Veteran's Rehab Facility, Regional Law School, and Foreclosure Court; Communicate with the public through NACs, press conferences, website, and roundtables.

Jason Judd

A first-time City Hall candidate, comes from a background of labor- and community organizing. A trained economist, he works in Washington, D.C. as a campaign director for the Service Employees International Union. He is 37 years old.

Many of our families are struggling. Two property tax hikes in 2002 and 2004 and careless spending have us paying 25% more than in 2001. To bring in more revenue without squeezing Frederick families, I'll make creating more and better jobs here my top priority. Making sure our older neighborhoods aren't left behind and making Frederick's growth more sustainable are priorities. I'm a former community organizer and economist. I know that creating a more innovative economy here will take a consensus-builder and a leader who understands how our economy is changing. Our campaign website has details on these priorities: www.juddformayor.com.

Chris Simpson

A newcomer to city politics, is a native of Frederick and owns a liquor store on the city's West Side. He is 40 years old.

Crime, budget, encourage business development; Improving relations between residents and law enforcement; Substation on the west end for greater police presence; Implement known ways to trim budget with no job loss; Eliminate waste and excessive spending; Streamline permit office and offer incentives to facilitate business growth; Local job growth decreases commuting and benefits local economy.

Republicans

Randy McClement

Owner of Market Street Bagel and Deli in downtown Frederick. He ran unsuccessfully for alderman four years ago, and sits on numerous boards in Frederick. He is president of the Tourism Council of Frederick County. He is 52 years old.

Set up an efficient organization. Re-organize direct reports from six to four. Bring common sense decision making to all departments. Make sure our financial house is in order. Implement a Modified Zero Based Budget program. Work to provide our Police Force with a new headquarters that will help ensure top level efficiency. Create a strong, diverse tax base. Form a task force to explore a public/private partnership to bring a hotel/conference center to the downtown area. Be a public Mayor and have a continual personal presence in our neighborhoods and business communities.

Ron Tobin

Serves as executive assistant for Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R), where he has overseen city infrastructure projects. He is 68 years old.

"We must continue a strong and sound quality of life for our citizens; focusing on Traffic Mitigation, Public Safety and Citizen Services with programs like a shared use path system that will interconnect all sections of the City.  A new Police Headquarters must be a high priority. The property tax rate must be reduced.  It is critical that we create more jobs within our City to enhance our sense of community. We need to be a business friendly City and engage in public private partnerships through limited annexations, in-fill and redevelopment projects in order to maximize land use efficiency."

Clint Hoffman

Owner of Discount Towing in Frederick. This is his first political bid. Failed to respond for this story. He is 46 years old.