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Alliance for Frederick County...NOT!

If you haven't heard about the Alliance for Frederick County yet, you probably will before long. This brand new "alliance" already has the money (and paid staff) it takes to get their message out to a lot of individuals and organizations throughout the county...soon.

At this time, however, their website is just a single page with some a few warm and fuzzy images in the header, a single paragraph describing the organization in brief and general terms, a link to a report on "APFOs in Maryland," and a place to sign up for future e-mail newsletter. The introductory text reads:


The site doesn't tell you who is behind the curtain, or what their motivation is for investing a fair amount of time and effort and money to set it up and get rolling, but you can learn some of that from the recent articles posted below. Here are a few of the key points conveyed in the articles:

• The Alliance is a new group of businessmen, builders and real estate brokers, primarily leaders of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the Frederick County Builders Association

• No board members' affiliations were identified by the Alliance in their press release.

• Alliance board members include: Ken Busz, chamber of commerce president and CEO; Hugh Gordon, treasurer for the Frederick County Builders Association; Mark Lancaster, a past president of the builders association; and Mr. Schilling, chairman of the chamber's board of directors.

• The "mandate" of the Alliance is voter education, particularly the message that growth is good, while attacking supporters of "slow-growth" or "no-growth" for their views. The Alliance believe slower growth could devastate Frederick’s tax base and economy.

• According to IRS code, a 501(c)(4) may not maintain its tax exempt status if political and electoral campaigning is a primary activity. But, as quoted in the News Post: “If a candidate decides they want to run a parallel track with these issues, that’s quite alright,” Mr. Lancaster said. “We can make reference that this particular candidate does adopt these issues, and does understand these issues, and we can run a parallel track that way. But we cannot raise funds for a particular candidate.”

The current status of the Alliance prevents it from endorsing candidates outright or contributing directly to their campaigns. But it is painfully obvious to anyone paying attention that this new organization was created at this time in order to have a significant influence on the election. The Alliance, however, is banking on the fact that some voters haven't been paying attention.

They have to say otherwise, of course, and they have to be careful around the edges of their activities and official statements, but there is no doubt this is all about creating yet another way to ensure that the next Board of County Commissioners is as uncritically supportive of their short term and narrow interests as the majority of the current board.

Without a lot of information to go on yet, it appears that their "education" campaign is going to focus around a couple of basic strategies:

1) The Alliance will attempt to define the issue as being a conflict between "pro-growth" and "no-growth extremists."

2) The Alliance will concentrate a great deal of their message on "affordable housing" and/or "workforce housing."

I'm not going to say too much about these issues here, since I'm going to write separate blog entries soon about both subjects. But, for now, I will say...

Anyone who continues to reduce the all our development-related process and policy disagreements to a black and white pro-growth vs no-growth conflict is willfully doing damage to the public interest. It is a simplistic, cynical and manipulative form of reductionism. And as long as we allow some people to keep all the energy and attention there, we won't have the genuine public discussion we need to have about better ways - much better ways - to develop our existing and new communities.

We must engage the conversation about the real choices we have, about the range of real alternatives available, about the real costs and benefits of approaches that are different than the business-as-usual, inside-the-box, short-sighted pattern of development we have been supporting...and that isn't working.

That won't happen as long as very wealthy, active and influential interest groups are allowed to characterize any and everyone who doesn't support their narrowly-focused goals as "no-growth" extremists.

Regarding the matter of affordable housing: This is, without question, a legitimate, serious and important issue confronting residents and policy-makers in Frederick County.

But, in a most self-serving manner, the Alliance is going to make the case - over and over and over again, throughout the county - that the lack of affordable housing is simply a local supply and demand issue, and that the solution is simply to open a lot more open space and farmland to development. Beyond that basic point, we will also hear about how impact fees and our Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance also contribute substantially to the problem of affordable housing.

As with the pro-growth/no-growth "debate," this is a "slight of hand" maneuver designed to define the problem...and the solution...to serve a narrow and short-term set of self-interested goals. The current pattern of development is not generating a significant amount of even relatively affordable housing. And doing the same thing faster willl do next to nothing to resolve the problem - and, in fact, can indirectly exacerbate the problem quite a bit. Continuing and expanding the current pattern of development is compelling the citizens and taxpayers of the county to pay more for less - more fees and higher taxes to support increasingly strained and inadequate public facilities and services, while simultaneously taking unnecessary hits to our quality of life in ways that don't show up in the financial ledgers (more traffic congestion is just one of many examples).

Simply building more mostly-large and expensive homes, in sprawling subdivisions scattered over our rural landscape will do nothing to support affordable housing, much less to plan and develop high quality, mixed use, more efficient and economically-sound neighborhoods that offer a mix of housing types (and prices) that reflects the demographics and needs of our county.

In fact, because we are inextricably part of the Washington housing market, building 2,000 more large suburban homes a year than we are now (for instance) won't even have a measurable affect on the price of large suburban homes in our area. If you are interested, I wrote a Gazette column about this a year ago: More houses alone won't lower prices

In a very revealing statement, Dave Miller, who was recently hired by the Alliance to make presentations around the county and to conduct outreach efforts, said: “No-growth is changing Frederick County for the worst.” It's one thing to call everyone who challenges any of your views a no-growth extremist. It's an even larger leap away from reality to characterize Frederick County as having experienced no-growth for any stretch of time in recent history. To paraphrase a comment made in a Gazette a year or two ago: In what universe is five houses a day considered no growth?

I'll end this blog entry with two short excerpts from other columns I wrote last year:


And...

From the FREDERICK NEWS POST: Thompson criticizes new group Thursday, May 4, 2006 by Clifford G. Cumber FFREDERICK -- A group of businessmen, builders and real estate brokers has formed a new civic organization, the Alliance for Frederick County, "to provide voter education and promote honest discussion of the issues of greatest concern to Frederick County residents," members announced this week. The group, a 501(c)(4), tax-exempt civic organization, is devoted to economic development, according to a press release sent Tuesday. Members believe balanced growth creates opportunity, "the very basis of prosperity and quality of life," the release states. "The members of the Alliance see a promising tomorrow for our community," board member Don Schilling says in the statement. "A future in which the county's citizens welcome balanced growth for what it can and will provide -- adequate roads, a sustainable cost of living, well-paying jobs, plentiful housing for our workforce and exemplary schools." The Alliance has already drawn attention and criticism as a cover for pro-development interests from Frederick County Commissioners President John L. Thompson Jr. Whereas the written release may be innocuous and appealing, the group's intentions are entirely political, he said. "Hopefully people will understand that they may be trying to educate the voters, but it's going to be with the mind that a certain brand of candidates should be elected and a certain brand of other candidates should not be elected," Mr. Thompson said. Alliance board members include: Ken Busz, chamber of commerce president and CEO; Hugh Gordon, treasurer for the Frederick County Builders Association; Mark Lancaster, a past president of the builders association; and Mr. Schilling, chairman of the chamber's board of directors. No board members' affiliations were identified in the press release. The Alliance Web site is a single page with the organization's logo, pictures and no further links. Development and growth have leapt to the forefront of this year's county election as commissioners consider a controversial region plan for the New Market area that could allow 14,000 new homes to be built over the next 15 years. Also, commissioners recently voted to allow Virginia developer Land Stewards to circumvent a school-capacity law on home building in return for a $65 million contribution to school improvement and construction. "We look forward to a future in which our leaders in government get beyond politically motivated rhetoric and tackle the real problems of greatest concern to citizens -- such as traffic and taxes," Mr. Schilling said in the statement. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Mr. Thompson contends that a 501(c)(4) organization, although prevented by law from weighing in for or against a particular candidate, can conduct "push polling." That's where a political organization, using the guise of a legitimate poll, dispenses unflattering information about candidates who oppose its agenda in an attempt to influence, or push, the voter's decision. "No candidate can overcome that because there's nothing you can do about it, and you won't even know about it until it's too late," Mr. Thompson said, adding push polling is "any elected officials' mortal fear." Under Alliance's articles of incorporation, filed Oct. 27, 2005, with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, the organization will "promote social welfare through activities involving the influence of legislation." Other 501(c)(4) groups include the National Rifle Association, MoveOn.org and the AARP. The Alliance is just the latest iteration of "the bulldoze and pave crowd," Mr. Thompson said. "Same people, different names of these organizations, but it's the same people," he said. Anti- and pro-development groups are nothing new in county elections. In 2002, Defenders of Citizens Rights Inc., spurred by more restrictive zoning proposed for land bordering U.S. 15, drew more than 1,000 members to its ranks. Three Defenders members -- John Lovell, Bruce Reeder and Mike Cady -- were elected to the board of county commissioners.

From the GAZETTE: Thompson, Gardner question new builders group http://www.gazette.net/stories/050406/fredcou192904_31943.shtml Thursday, May 4, 2006 by Sherry Greenfield A new group formed by leaders of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the Frederick County Builders Association is drawing scrutiny from two county commissioners. Commission President John "Lennie" Thompson Jr. (R) and Commissioner Jan H. Gardner (D) are questioning the motives of the Alliance for Frederick County. They believe the group formed solely to influence and support pro-growth candidates in this fall’s county and state elections. "It appears that they are interested in influencing the next election," Gardner said. "It’s hard to understand how they are going to do this through education ... I have concerns that the county election is going to be full of rhetoric and propaganda." Donald R. Schilling, chairman of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, maintains that the Alliance for Frederick County will not endorse any candidates in this year’s election. Schilling said the group will focus on affordable housing and adequate-paying jobs so residents can live and work in the county. "These are major issues that affect all of us," he said. "Many homebuilders are chamber members and we want to sit at a table together and present level opinions on housing and economics." If the alliance does decide to endorse candidates and spends money on campaign advertising, it must first register with the Maryland Board of Elections as a Political Action Committee. Gardner is skeptical of the group’s intentions, she said, because of an e-mail inviting chamber members and homebuilders to the first official meeting of the alliance on April 26. The e-mail makes reference to this year’s elections and the need for business-friendly candidates to run. The e-mail, sent by Bryan Patchan, executive officer of the builders association, states: "...The decisions voters make this year will affect the bottom line of each and every business in the county — yours included. You can have a say in how those citizens decide, through the new alliance for Frederick County." Patchan’s e-mail also states that the alliance is open for business and their business is "educating Frederick County voters about the consequences of inept and irresponsible leadership." Schilling said he was unaware of the e-mail. Thompson doesn’t buy it. "This is just the latest version of the bulldozing pave-over crowd that started with Defenders, that morphed into the True Republicans that morphed into the Citizens Against Code Home Rule and morphed into the Frederick County Business PAC. This is the latest version," he said. The now-defunct Defenders of Citizens Rights Inc., a local landowners group and political action committee, came out against Thompson and Gardner in the 2002 election. True Republicans included members of Defenders and also worked against the re-election of Thompson. Citizens against Code Home Rule successfully fought against Thompson’s 2002 ballot initiative to change the county’s form of government from commissioner to Code Home Rule, which would give board members more legislative power. The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Business PAC is a new political action committee that endorsed candidates in the 2005 City of Frederick election. Thompson, who has often criticized the chamber during his two terms in office because many of its members come from the development community, for months questioned the actions of that committee. Thompson was successful in getting the committee to add "Chamber of Commerce" to its name, which brought the group in compliance with Maryland campaign finance laws. But Thompson was unsuccessful in getting his board colleagues to support a resolution to petition the Board of Elections to investigate and rule on whether the committee violated state election laws by supporting candidates in the city election. Thompson and Gardner, as private residents, have asked the Board of Elections to look into the committee. Schilling is adamant the business PAC is not in any way related to the new alliance group.

From the FREDERICK NEWS POST: Alliance ups election-year rhetoric Nonprofit group seeks to present facts in county development debate Wednesday, May 24, 2006 by Clifford G. Cumber FREDERICK — The Alliance for Frederick has ramped up its involvement in this year’s county commissioners’ race, saying it is looking for new thinking on the part of Frederick’s leaders. The Alliance, a nonprofit group of members of the business, development and real estate communities, seeks to present the facts of the growth, anti-growth debate that has become central to the 2006 county campaigns. “There’s a lot of misinformation that’s going on out there right now,” Mark Lancaster, immediate past president of the Frederick County Builders Association said at an association lunch last week. “There’s a lot of emotions that are flying. But there’s very little facts to support that and what we’re going to do is simply come out with what is the truth about development and business in Frederick County.” Commissioners Mike Cady, John Lovell and Bruce Reeder form the pro-growth majority on the board. Commissioners President John L. Thompson Jr. and Commissioner Jan Gardner favor no- or controlled growth. Mr. Reeder, a Democrat, has not filed for re-election. Mr. Cady and Mr. Lovell, both Republicans, have announced they are running again. Charles Jenkins, also a progrowth Republican, is seeking a commissioner seat, as are slow-growth Democrats Kai Hagen and Dick Floyd. The election will be held in November. The Alliance unveiled its latest outreach effort at the association meeting — a presentation on “Frederick’s Coming Crisis.” To deliver that presentation around the county, and to conduct other outreach efforts, the Alliance recently hired Dave Miller, a retired superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools as its “grassroots liaison.” Mr. Miller will go to local community groups, such as the Sertoma Club, Lions Club and Association of Realtors. “(He will bridge) the gap in the critical issues and factual information that are facing the citizens of Frederick,” Mr. Lancaster said. The presentation will be tailored to each audience, he said. The mandate of the Alliance is voter education, particularly the message that growth is good, while attacking supporters of slow- or no-growth for their views, which the Alliance believes could devastate Frederick’s tax base and economic development. According to the Alliance, the no-growth mindset is one that will drive down housing supply. That will force people to move out of the county and commute through it, making traffic worse. Also, the county will not be able to pay for transportation improvements because fewer homes means less property taxes. With a no-growth police, the employees most essential to Frederick who earn less than $60,000 a year — nurses, police and firefighters — won’t be able to afford to live here, Mr. Martin told the builders association. “No-growth is changing Frederick County for the worst,” Mr. Miller said. “By increasing the volume of through-commuters, opponents to land and economic development are turning Frederick County into another dreaded word — Montgomery County.” The presentation targeted the lack of cooperation between county leadership and businesses. “Repeatedly with that old thinking, government leaders are squandering major opportunities to improve Frederick County public facilities and infrastructure,” Mr. Miller said. “Some leaders have repeatedly opposed multimillion dollar offers by the business and development community to fund improvements to our schools and our roadways.” The presentation is one component in an action plan put together by Alliance members over the past eight months. “It’s extremely extensive,” Mr. Lancaster said. “It’s not just this presentation. There’s a lot of other things that are happening that we’re doing now. We’re going to create a voter base, we’re sending out e-mails, things of that nature.” The money the Alliance has raised over the past few weeks will enable the organization to create a much larger outreach campaign than originally anticipated, Mr. Lancaster said. “This is just the start,” he said. However, the 501(c)(4) status of the group under Internal Revenue Service code prevents it from stepping into individual campaigns, although the Alliance can substantially lobby and educate the public as long as it remains nonpartisan. According to IRS code, a 501(c)(4) may not campaign politically as its primary activity and remain tax exempt. “If a candidate decides they want to run a parallel track with these issues, that’s quite alright,” Mr. Lancaster said. “We can make reference that this particular candidate does adopt these issues, and does understand these issues, and we can run a parallel track that way. But we cannot raise funds for a particular candidate.”

From the GAZETTE: Builders group warns about economic crisis http://www.gazette.net/stories/052506/fredcou202355_31944.shtml Thursday, May 25, 2006 by Sherry Greenfield A new group, formed by leaders of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the Frederick County Builders Association, believes the county will face a serious housing and economic crisis if new commissioners are not elected this fall. The Alliance for Frederick County told the builders association at a program May 18 that its purpose is not to support pro-growth candidates for county commissioner in this fall’s election. The group says its intention is to educate voters on key issues facing the county so they can decide which candidates to support. They warn that the county will face a crisis if new commissioners are not elected to address issues such as affordable housing and better-paying jobs. ‘‘We do not endorse any particular candidate,” said Mark Lancaster, former president of the builders association. ‘‘We can make reference to a particular candidate who adopts our issues. We cannot raise funds for a particular candidate.” If the alliance does decide to endorse candidates and spends money on campaign advertising, it must register with the Maryland Board of Elections as a Political Action Committee. David A. Miller, former assistant superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools, was introduced to members of the builders association on May 18. The alliance believes new residential and commercial growth must be allowed to continue. ‘‘No growth is not a solution,” Miller said. ‘‘No [residential] growth drives down the supply [of homes] and increases the cost of housing. The shorter the supply the higher the cost.” Miller said new housing costs have jumped from $200,000 in 2000 to $550,000 in 2005. This is due in part to the county’s growth ordinance, which stipulates that new homes cannot be built unless roads, schools, water and sewer are adequate to handle the increase in residents. Builders claim the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance puts too many controls on growth, which has led to a low supply of new homes to meet the demand of new residents. The lack of affordable housing is also related to increased traffic on county roadways, the alliance claims. ‘‘The lack of affordable housing is forcing tens of thousands to work outside the county,” Miller said. ‘‘We believe responsible economic development is the answer.”

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Gary Brennan
Frederick County Teachers Association

Kai has spent a great deal of time and energy learning about school issues and preparing to serve on the BOCC. He is an intelligent and enthusiastic candidate who is very interested in the long term health of the school system including the need to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. Kai seeks more citizen involvement in county government and open and honest problem solving by our elected officials. He has the ability to look at a...

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