Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner To Relinquish Her Office Next Week

She reflected on her tenure during her Tuesday public information briefing.County Executive Jan Gardner  (photo from Frederick County Government)Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner is nearing the end of her time in elected office. Gardner, who is the first person to hold the office of  County Executive, was first elected in 2014, and re-elected in 2018. According to the County Charter, a County Executive can only serve two consecutive terms.”I think my most lasting legacy of my administration will be protecting our agricultural heritage, our historic and cultural resources, and the scenic vistas that our resident cherish,’ she says, reflecting on her time in office.During her Tuesday public information briefing, Gardner says she and the community have worked to accomplish a lot of good things for the people who call Frederick County home. “We have invested record amounts of money in public education and school construction. We’ve advanced the Livable Frederick Master Plan. which will serve us well in the future–and I’m really glad that the next administration is going to continue to advance the Livable Frederick Plan. And we’ve supported our seniors through our Senior’s First Initiative and the retention of Citizens and Montevue,” she said.During her first term, Gardner was able to reverse the controversial sale of Citizens Care and Rehabilitation and Montevue Assisted Living Centers which the final Board of County Commissioners approved following a contentious debate.”We can be proud that we now have a more robust continuum of care to address substance misuse, addiction and mental health with our mobile crisis unit, a detox center and soon a crisis stabilization center which will really completes our continuum of care and mental health,” Gardner continues.One item she pointed to was the retention of the County’s AAA bond rating from all three national bond rating agencies, which lowers the cost of borrowing money. Gardner also said the County has a diverse economy.”i am turning over the County leadership role to County Executive-elect Jessica Fitzwater, and I’m giving her  a county that is in good financial shape,” Gardner said.Fitzwater will be sworn into office on Monday, December 5th at 10:00 AM at the Weinberg Center. The new County Council members will also take their oaths of office at that time.By Kevin McManus