Mayoral Candidate Responses

There have been discussions in the community about renovating Mullinix Park. Returning the pool to a full functioning pool, renovating the bathroom, pavilion, and building an amphitheater. These improvements would ensure that Mullinix Park is more than just a green space, but a destination where memories are made where the spirit of the community can truly flourish. 

Would you support the renovation of Mullinix Park, a park that truly belongs to everyone?

• Ron Beatie: Yes  "As I am not yet in office, I would review proposals subject to budgetary review."

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "We have funded a capital improvement project for this purpose and the consultant has begun its work which will include community engagement on desired improvements."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "Yes to keeping it a useful community park. The pool was converted to a splash park some years ago to get more use. This appears to be a success. I support enhancing Mullinix Park."

The city council has created one majority-minority district instead of two (2) majority-minority districts, thus diluting people of color's voting power.

Will you take action to amend that matter to implement two (2) majority-minority districts?

• Ron Beatie: Yes  "I will review any reasonable proposal sent to me by the City Council."

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "I believe fair representation is essential to a health democracy. We will follow all legal requirements in future redistricting and ensure the process includes meaningful community input to district maps reflect the full diversity of our city."  

• Tom Trott: No  "Voting Districts should be race neutral. District boundaries should be regularly shaped, be compact, and represent equal population totals. I will support changes to the boundaries if it meets the above criteria."

Wage disparity continues to be an issue for minorities and immigrants. Black and Latino workers are significantly less likely to earn middle and upper wages compared to other groups. A recent report by the Maryland State Comptroller shows that there would be a worker deficit if not for immigrant workers. 

Will you introduce or support an ordinance to ensure fair wages for all in Frederick City — regardless of race, ethnicity, or immigration status? Furthermore will you commit to ensuring all of your actions on the city council support this?

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "Frederick approved a wage scale for full-time employees guaranteeing a starting wage this fiscal year of $23.54. We are committed to setting an example first, and second, through our Office of Opportunity and Transformation, identifying workforce development, childcare, and transportation programs we can support to assist our residents as well."

• Tom Trott: No  "This is not an issue over which local government has any authority."

Many jurisdictions, have adopted “Ranked Choice” voting, allowing greater choice and effort of one’s vote. 

Do you support ranked choice voting for the City of Frederick?

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "The Charter Review Committee recommended exploring ranked choice voting, and I support continuing the conversation to better understand how it could be implemented to expand voter choice and strengthen our elections."

• Tom Trott: No  "This complicates elections and can lead to results that put a person in office who did not win a majority of votes in the first round."

A growing number of immigrants feel disenfranchised with attacks on residency, citizenship, and due process at the Federal level of government.

Will you use your position to allay those feelings and make sure immigrants are protected in Frederick?

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "I was the first local elected official to speak out in support of our immigrant community and push back against the Trump Administration. We have budgeted funds to support organizations that support our immigrants and are committed to continuing advocacy."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "I will look to make Frederick a welcoming place for everyone."

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "I have testified in support of legislation in Annapolis that would do this and will continue to support."

• Tom Trott: No 

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "Violence or hate against any community or group of people is unacceptable. We will continue working to ensure Muslim residents, and all residents, feel safe, welcomed, and included in Frederick."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "My policies will be religion neutral, making sure that all City residents feel safe and included regardless of religion."

• Ron Beatie: No  "I support everything in this question except the TOTAL cessation of military assistance to Israel which I feel is unrealistic and jeopardizes national security but I do support possible sanctions against Israel for their atrocities in Gaza."

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "I support a total cease fire and the unrestricted access to humanitarian aid in Gaza for the Palestinian people. I also believe Israel should be able to defend itself from Iran. We should ensure US resources only support those defensive capabilities."

• Tom Trott: No  "This is not a local government function."

The growing wealth inequality in our community often disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations such as seniors, people with disabilities, and the unhoused.

Will you support affordable housing legislation in Frederick City, including but not limited to: establishing a Community Land Trust, modular construction, rezoning, rent-stabilization, ensuring city agencies enforce State fair housing rules, and performing an assessment of affordable housing in Frederick City?

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "We are undertaking a housing needs assessment with Frederick County and some, maybe all, of the list above will need to be considered. I will support the work of staff, the Council, and the community in identifying the best options to address affordability for Frederick."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "I would look at City policies to see how adjusting certain policies might address this. This is a very difficult and complicated issue that is not easily resolved. As Mayor, I will be working to improve housing affordability."

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "This is a priority for our Department of Housing and Human Services under my direction. Working with our new director we are undertaking development of new permanent supportive housing and improvements to the Community Table (Soup Kitchen). And we expanded food bank operations."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "I will work with our Housing and Human Servies department to propose and implement new initiatives to serve our unhoused and downtrodden citizens."

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes

• Tom Trott: No  "This is not a City Government issue."

Minority communities are oftentimes disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. 

Will you introduce or support an ordinance detailing steps Frederick will take to remain committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 despite budget constraints and federal government hostility to climate actions?

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes  "The foundation of this work is the City’s Sustainability Plan."

• Tom Trott: No  "This is an issue that is not within the control of local government. Expending resources on pursuing such a policy does not constitute good stewardship of City taxpayer money. I will seek to lower our carbon footprint when it is cost effective."

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: Yes

• Tom Trott: Yes  "Government policies will be religious neutral. All religions will be respected and treated equally."

Granting the church’s request would not only demonstrate respect for its vital role in the community but also align city policy with principles of inclusion and equal treatment. 

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "Areas marked for 'no parking' would need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure allowing parking in those areas would not create a safety hazard. For the submitting church, I would like to further discuss this request to better understand the issue."

• Tom Trott: Yes

Mayoral Responses 

• Ron Beatie: Yes

• Michael O'Connor: N/A  "The City already has a Crisis Response model and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). This acknowledges that a police officer is not always the right first responder and being jailed is a poor way for someone in crisis to get the help they need. I support expanding these efforts."

• Tom Trott: Yes  "The crisis team involving City Police, EMS personnel and mental health professionals seems to be a good approach."