Proposed Building Projects, Police Issues, Budget, Discussed By Frederick Alderman Roger Wilson

He’s also running for Mayor.

 

Roger Wilson

Alderman Roger Wilson

 

 

Frederick, Md (KM) It’s been discussed for many years, but there’s no decision on a location for a new headquarters for the Frederick Police Department, although some sites have been proposed, such as the former Trinity School at New Design Road.  Alderman Roger Wilson, who was a guest recently on “Mid-Maryland Live” on WFMD, says the Department’s current location at the County Court House, is cramped. “We looked at a couple locations. We’ve just haven’t moved on it and made the proper decisions to get into a new building,” he says.

While commenting on the search for a new Frederick Police Department building, Alderman Wilson, whose also running for Mayor in 2021, says there are a number of other building projects which are not moving along very quickly. “Identifying a new location for our police headquarters, getting that in the pipeline. We also want to an economic project, the downtown hotel–conference center. However, that plan may roll out, let’s get it done,” he says. “These things have been waiting, waiting over a decade. We need to move those things forward.”

On another topic, Wilson gave praise to Jason Lando as the new Police Chief for Frederick. “I think he’s the right selection for the job, for the times that we’re in for the city. I would have preferred that we look within,” he says

Lando was chosen as Police Chief following a year long search. He comes to Frederick after many years with the Bureau of Police in Pittsburgh.

Wilson and the rest of the Board of Aldermen voted in favor of the city’s; budget for fiscal year 2022, which totals $112.1-million and keeps the property tax rates at $0.7305 per $100 of assessed value.

When questioned about the spending plan, he said he supported money being used for  the hiring of an equity program administrator in the Mayor’s Office. That person would help coordinate programs for diversity equity and inclusion. “With our minority population growing to about 40% in the city, with that , we need to make sure we have policies in place to make sure that those minority groups and those communities feel included,” says Wilson.

A disparity study conducted for the city recommended one employee to work on procurement issues to help make sure minority and women-owned businesses have an equal shot at obtaining contracts with the City of Frederick.

 

By Kevin McManus