Candidate for City Council Candidate District 4

1. Addressing Social Inequities

What economic, educational, or resource access disparities exist in the district(s) you seek to represent? How do these disparities affect residents’ daily lives, and what specific measures would you pursue to address them?

● In terms of economic inequities district 4 much like the city at large, is facing a shortage in affordable housing. This is a theme that I hear other candidates and residents echo as well. An issue that feels heightenedly concerning to younger folks who are worried about being able to stay in the city or not being able to currently afford it all together. Affordability of one's housing affects just every aspect of your life. Not to mention the toll it takes on one's mental health to have to worry about maintaining or finding a home. Our mental health being at a stressful state then trickles down to every aspect of our life like sleep quality, mood instability and work productivity. There isn't one magic solution to this issue, I believe it will take a collective of ways to combat this issue. Such as rent stabilization, closing developers loopholes and working with the city and county to make changes in building and housing policies.

● Also much like economic inequities, district 4 educational concerns are city and county wide. I think the most pressing issue not just for district 4, but the city overall, is how overcrowded schools are. This both affects the morale and mental health of both teachers and students. Teachers are stretched so thin, that they aren't able to give the attention or meet the needs of those students who might require a little extra help. Forcing teachers to not give the quality education that they want to give, adding to the stress that any normal teacher faces on a daily basis. In terms of students, when some students aren't given the help or time they need. Often causes students to not put as much effort into their teaching or become disassociated altogether. The obvious solution to this is to build new schools and expand on the schools that have the ability to. While also adding modular classrooms and increasing school staff to ease the disruption and transition. Redistricting I think could also be a way to balance out the overpopulation among schools. I also believe that allowing students who benefit or thrive on virtual learning should be assessed and allowed to continue virtual learning. But also have set rules and requirements that they must follow to make sure that they're getting adequate education and meeting the same goals as their fellow students.

2. Healthcare Access and Equity

How would you assess access to healthcare in your district(s)? Are there particular barriers that limit residents’ ability to obtain quality care? What policies or initiatives would you support to promote preventive care, expand health education, and improve health outcomes across all communities?

● I would assess access to healthcare in district 4, by focusing on transportation accessibility, state of current facilities and racial/social inequities.

● In terms of healthcare a barrier residents in district 4 face is transportation, overcrowding at the ED at Frederick Health and racial and language disparities among minorities. Fortunately we are geographically positioned between multiple health facilities including Frederick Health Hospital. However transportation for individuals without cars can be difficult or discouraging, particularly between the East Church neighborhood and Riverwalk.

● When it comes to transportation; I think we could create similar or further expand on ALICE ride programs to encourage individuals to address medical needs.

● However with better transportation for Frederick City residents. We need medical facilities that have the ability to see patients without overcrowding and in a timely manner. Many residents see the Frederick Health emergency department as the sole option to deal with both emergency and routine primary health care reasons. The city of Frederick is ever growing, there will be a need to build more facilities to service the area. The two nearest alternatives from Frederick Health is either Holy Cross in Germantown or Meritus in Hagerstown. With no other alternatives nearby, the result becomes the overcrowding of Frederick Health Emergency Department. In the meantime, I think a new satellite health center that focuses on primary health would be beneficial to ease the patient flow. As well as education and encouraging preventive care for local residents.

● Another way that we can help mitigate the racial disparities in our community is to further work and incentivize local groups like AACF, Centro Hispano de Frederick and Blank Equity Frederick. Working together we can help educate residents of different ethnic backgrounds on health and preventative healthcare.

3. Environmental Concerns

What environmental issues—such as pollution, climate impacts, or loss of green space—are most pressing for Frederick City? What strategies or policies would you advocate to promote environmental sustainability and protect public health?

● When it comes to environmental concerns that I believe are pressing to Frederick is the loss of green space. A concern I hear many young residents, including myself, have. Most of us are actively concerned about the state of the environment and its future. The increased housing development around the city has caused loss of green spaces, loss of habitats for local wildlife and loss of long established farms. Some policies that I would advocate for to help combat this issue, is increasing the amount of green preservation required of developers outside their development for the city. But also to advocate to require developers to dedicate a certain amount of their developments to creating green spaces. For example, a lot of developments like my own, have these huge fields of grass that are pretty much barren. Although parts of the field are used by residents to get together and play games. I would say over 50% of it is not used. A well known fact is that grass just contributes to environmental pollution, with little benefit. Between requiring a lot of water to maintain and the need to be cut on the weekly basis. Just further adds unnecessary pollution that we do not need. These are spaces where developers could plant trees, shrubs and flowers that would not only be meeting their preservation requirements. They would be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, help local biodiversity and make up for the elimination of local wildlife habitats.

● Another environmental action I would advocate for is expanding the plant biodiversity on the Creek. Although we already have plants throughout the creek. I feel that we could add multi-season perennial plants to not only help pollinators that are in danger. Having multi-season perennial plants ensures that no matter what time of the year you visit the canal. There is something beautiful in terms of plant life to look at. By the end not only are we increasing plant biodiversity, we're beautifying the creek for residents and tourists alike, and helping endangered pollinators.

4. Access to Child Care

Many families in Frederick City face challenges finding affordable, high-quality child care. What role should the City play in addressing these challenges? What steps would you take to improve access and affordability for working families?

● In terms of childcare I think the city should find ways to help supplement Federal and State run childcare programs already established in Frederick.

● I believe part of the reason childcare is so expensive is that there aren't as many childcare professionals available for the demand that is needed. A way I thought that we could help alleviate that is to continue to encourage childcare training programs.

● Another potentially untapped source that I believe could help the childcare challenges. Is working with said established child Care programs in the city or potentially starting a program where we encourage young teenagers, retirees and elderly residents who have a passion for childcare. To get trained and fill these gaps of needs. This could be established as a volunteer/paid position depending on economic need. I see this as a potential win for everyone, we're addressing the lack of childcare services. Young teenagers could be gaining workforce experience that could go towards their volunteer hours in school. Retirees and elderly residents can have a purpose that they have a passion for, keeping them mobile to help physical health, and have social contact and the stimulation that are shown to help mental health.

5. Public Education and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future

What do you see as the most significant challenges currently facing Frederick City’s public schools? How would you address them as a local elected official? What is your perspective on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and its impact so far?

● Aside from what I previously mentioned on question number one. An issue I recently saw has emerged for schools in Frederick, is the shortage in bus drivers. The obvious initial way to tackle this is wage increase and bonuses of some sort. CDL drivers are in high demand nationwide, with higher base salaries and singing bonuses. School bus driving doesn't seem appealing to these drivers.

● Overcrowding in schools has a trickle down effect all the way to the bus driver. Overcrowded schools equals over crowded buses; which in turn has more children in buses, longer routes and added stress to the bus drivers. New schools, redistricting and providing extra bus assistance to drivers can help alleviate stress and increase morale.

● Something else that could be contributing to the bus driver shortage. Could be the lengthy process that there is to become a bus driver. I think we can find ways to expedite or perhaps eliminate some barriers that would make desertification process quicker while also still making sure our children are safe. In addition to that, I think lowering the age requirement would also be beneficial to help counteract the shortage.

6. Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Please share an example of a time you supported or led an effort to advance diversity, equity, or inclusion. What was your approach, what outcomes resulted, and what did you learn from the experience?

● The most recent example of my commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is my decision to enter this race. As a young, gay, Latino immigrant of color, I knew I'd become a target for hate and racial criticism. However, I've long felt unrepresented—I rarely saw people who look like me, my family, or my friends making the decisions and policies that affect our daily lives and futures. I wanted to step up and represent us all, to weave myself more deeply into the fabric of our community and build a better future for everyone.

● My approach to this endeavor is just hitting it head on. Deciding to join at the last minute put me at a disadvantage. But I've been encouraged by what I've heard from city residents that I've spoken to. As well as the camaraderie with some of the other candidates running who have reached out to me in the most kind way… as far as what I've learned from the experience that is TBD, so check back with me.

7. Housing Affordability and Neighborhood Change

How are Frederick City residents affected by the availability and cost of housing, including issues related to gentrification or displacement? What policies or programs would you support to expand housing affordability and stability? Do you support implementing a rent stabilization initiative to slow rising costs of rental units in Frederick City?

● Housing affordability is something I addressed in question one in great detail. In terms of gentrification as far as my district goes there isn't much of that. The developments that I know of thus far, were previously farms whose land was sold for residential development. However, with that said, current and rising rent prices is probably one of the most common issues/fears I hear many young folks around the city have.

● I support rent stabilization, but it's clear we'll also need other policy changes and solutions to address rising costs. This will demand a collective, unified effort from the council, the mayor, the city, and the county.