Sugarloaf Alliance
Preservation * Smarter Growth * Transparency in Government
Development near Sugarloaf (west of I-270 and north to the Monocacy River) should remain protected and free from commercial and industrial development. Check one
Strongly agree
I will work to protect the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan.
A Green Infrastructure Plan should be completed and adopted before approving major new industrial rezonings. Check one.
Strongly Agree
We already have more building than our infrastructure can support. As we plan for
transportation pathways and utilities, we need to consider environmental aspects that they imply. We need to consider water use, climate change, and other environmental impacts as we plan land use.
If elected, do you pledge to never sign an NDA with a data center developer or other developer, nor to be bound by an NDA signed by another county official with a data center developer or any other developer? Check one.
Yes
I believe NDAs are an unconstitutional infringement on Free Speech and will vote in the Legislature to override NDAs in lawsuits. As a public official I will promote transparency with the residents of Maryland.
County legislation should be developed to prohibit County Council members, the County Executive, and county staff from signing any NDA that restricts their ability to inform the public, deliberate openly, or carry out their public duties. Check one.
Strongly agree
I believe NDAs are an unconstitutional infringement on Free Speech and will vote in the Legislature to override NDAs in lawsuits. I support existing Sunshine Laws that require any meetings with multiple public officials be made public. I support additional transparency on the part of all government employees.
Frederick County should fund a thorough, independent cost-benefit analysis of data center impacts, specifically on Frederick County, regardless of any analysis that may be conducted by the State of Maryland on State level impacts. Check one.
Strongly agree
If elected to the State Legislature, I will closely supervise the cost-benefit analysis to advocate that supply chain (electricity and water), environmental, and societal costs are included in the analysis. I will not be able to do the same to a CBA done by the County. I will work to reverse the designation that Data Centers are "Critical Data Infrastructure".
How many data centers should be built in Frederick County? Check the answer closest to your position.
As many as allowed inside the original 1,586-acre Critical Digital Infrastructure Overlay Zone proposed by the Planning Commission.
I don't want to give the impression I can do something that I will not have the power to do. The original set of data centers are already permitted and will be being built by the time I get into office. I cannot honestly say we will be able to stop it, because it is already too late.
What new county data center legislation would you endorse? Check all you support.
Increased distances to residences and public uses, Stricter noise limits, Stricter water use limits, Stricter design, height, and screening limits, Efficiency and power consumption limits, Full disclosure of electricity consumption, water consumption, height and footprint, backup generation capacity, noise and lighting impacts, and infrastructure needs and requirements of proposed data centers., An independent, third-party regularly monitoring data center operation (e.g. noise, water consumption) that reports its results publicly, including additional testing triggered by resident complaints or changes in operations., Mandatory corrective actions within a defined timeframe, with meaningful penalties or operational restrictions if compliance is not achieved (if post-construction monitoring shows a data center exceeds approved limits)., A moratorium on new data centers
I will work to revoke the status of Critical Data Infrastructure for data centers. I want to see an "energy budget" the shows planned electricity projected to be generated and the amount of electrical demand that will be needed if we build more data centers. We need this at both for the State of Maryland and for regional providers.
What are your thoughts concerning environmental issues, preservation, development, transparency in government, and data centers in Frederick County? Describe any priorities, tradeoffs, or concerns that guide your thinking.
I grew up in Frederick County and I want to preserve the agricultural and rural aspects of Frederick County. I oppose the expansion of the Adamstown complex. I signed the referendum petition, and I will vote to overturn the expansion.
Climate change is real and it presents a existential threat to our world. I support Maryland's green energy goals of 50% green energy by 2030 and 100% green energy by 2050. We must fundamentally change our electrical grid to include energy storage.
Our society is not prepared for the changes which Artificial Intelligence will bring. We must regulate AI, strengthen privacy protections, and hold tech corporations responsible for damage which their products cause. Income inequality has led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few billionaires. This is both leading to the AI bubble and will be increased by AI. We must address this income inequality.