District 5 Candidates

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. 

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "A core tenant of my campaign is Vibrant, Community-Focused Arts & Parks. Frederick’s identity is rooted in its creativity. I’ll advocate for investments in neighborhood parks, public art, and cultural programming that reflect our diversity and bring our community together."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support renovating Mullinix Park. These improvements must be done in collaboration with the Black community and neighborhood residents, with consideration for public art that honors the park’s history and ensures its legacy is visible, valued, and celebrated."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I will work to ensure that all city residents have equal representation in our new form of government."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support creating two majority-minority districts. As Frederick adopts district-based representation, we must revisit lines to ensure fairness. I’ll advocate for a transparent, community-led process—collaborating with minority communities to better reflect our city’s diversity."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "As a member of the current cohort of the Government Alliance for Racial Equity I know we far to go on ensuring equity in our community but I am committed to making change and applying an equity framework to decision making in City Hall."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I believe that every person has inherent value, diversity is our strength, and good government expands opportunity and advances justice—especially for those systemically excluded. As a Council member, I will advocate for greater wage equity and ensure Frederick leads with fairness and dignity."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes "Ranked choice voting empowers voters to rank candidates by preference, vote their conscience without fear of 'wasting their vote,' and helps third parties gain validity. It's a step toward breaking down the two-party system and better reflecting the will of the people."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I support efforts to ensure all people, regardless of immigration status, feel safe in our city."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support the Frederick Police Department’s practice of not asking about immigration status. Immigrants are vital members of our community. I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure Frederick is a place where all residents, regardless of status, feel safe, valued, and protected."

• Ryan Trout: Yes

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "Frederick should be a place where all residents feel safe and protected—not targeted. I will advocate for policies that uphold dignity, due process, and fairness for everyone who calls our city home."

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I support efforts to ensure all people, of all faiths, feel safe in our city." 

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I don’t presume to speak for the Muslim community—I believe in working in partnership with those most impacted to identify meaningful, community-informed solutions that promote safety, belonging, and respect for all."

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I would need to review any resolution to understand the intended audience as the city has no role in setting foreign policy." 

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "As someone committed to nonviolence, I support this resolution. For me this isn’t about taking sides—it’s about affirming the sacred worth of every human life and speaking out against war, suffering, and injustice wherever it exists."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "Addressing affordable housing is not just a cornerstone of my campaign, but is the driving force of my career. If elected, I will work collaboratively to develop a comprehensive legislative package which provides a broad and detailed approach to combatting housing affordability." 

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support affordable housing legislation that addresses inequality and expands housing options for all income levels. I’m committed to working with community partners to create people-centered neighborhoods and lasting stability for seniors, artists, people with disabilities, and unhoused residents."

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I would support expanding our Housing First program to magnify its impact. By providing permanent, stable housing without preconditions, we treat housing as a human right. Once housed, services are offered voluntarily, helping people stay housed and improving outcomes."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: No  "Our nonprofits do great work supporting people who are unhoused. The city should fill gaps in collaboration with them. I’ll advocate for a walkable, transit-connected daytime center that offers dignity, stability, and pathways to recovery, independence, and belonging."

• Ryan Trout: Yes

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "Yes, unequivocally. I will support a resolution urging the School Board to maintain Policy 443. Every student deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to be who they are. As a City leader, I will stand firmly with our trans and gender non-conforming youth and protect their rights."

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?

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I would need to review any proposed ordinance and its impacts on our community prior to signing on."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I will support or introduce legislation to uphold Frederick’s carbon neutrality goals by 2050. We must expand multimodal transportation and grow the tree canopy in underserved neighborhoods, and consider equity in every step of our local climate response."

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "I support efforts to ensure all people, of all faiths, feel safe and welcome in our city."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support equitable zoning for all faith communities, including mosques. I welcome the idea of offering halal and vegetarian options—especially meals that honor many traditions—at public events. I will advance flexible policies so City employees can take the time they need for religious observance."

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. 

• Ryan Trout: No  "Without more information I am uncomfortable committing to such a specific request. I would review any such request within the context of the neighborhood, the community being impacted, and review with an equity lens."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "As the City of Clustered Spires, we must collaborate with longstanding faith communities to create site-specific solutions. These should be rooted in equity, dignity, and community input—and part of a broader, multimodal approach to access, transportation, and inclusion in our public spaces."

• Ryan Trout: Yes  "Our critical response teams are a partnership of our mental health providers and our police force. I will work to expand access to mental health resources, and ensure our police make everyone feel safe - at work, at home, at our cultural events and even at our protests."

• Sarah Hempel Irani: Yes  "I support reallocating a portion of the police budget to fund mental health programs and crisis response teams. The tri-responder model offers a compassionate, effective, and community-informed approach to public safety and care."