(8/1) Hello Emmitsburg! The 2020 town election is upon us and I am seeking my third term as town commissioner. Without question, the two big headlines during my second term have been COVID-19 and Brown Water. I am happy to know that the vast majority of Emmitsburg has been safe and healthy. Given the circumstances, it’s still good to run into you around town, even if we’re both behind a mask. Although it got off to a rocky start, the initiatives developed by town staff and approved by the board of commissioners, along with improved communication, appear to have solved the brown water situation. Some areas of town were hit harder than others and it seemed clear water would never flow again. I sincerely thank all involved for your patience and understanding while the issues were addressed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed serving you these past six years, listening to, and acting on, your questions and concerns. While participating in town meetings, I always consider what is best for the community, and sometimes that means voting "No" on what I feel are excessive regulations. I have also learned that what I hope to accomplish can be very difficult due to existing town code, restrictions mandated by the State, guidelines adopted from the Maryland Municipal League, and a lack of support or interest from town government.

However, since I was last re-elected, I have had several successful accomplishments. Some of the most recent include: organizing the 2019 summer concert in the park series, which encompassed a diverse collection of bands; coordinating a petting zoo and face painting event for children; contacting Frederick County Councilmember Phil Dacey, Frederick County Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, and Sheriff Chuck Jenkins to ensure the permissibility and availability of food truck permits for this year’s modified Community Heritage Day; and, helping approve the site plans for Rutter’s, Dunkin’, and Insurance Brokers of Maryland.

If re-elected, I do have more items I hope to accomplish. There is a desire for new businesses opening in town; however, I don’t feel that we are doing enough to encourage it. We can do more to actively pursue business growth and to investigate grants and other incentives to aid in start-up. Capitalizing on unique businesses tied to history, our multi-use trails, local skiing, and safe, family-friendly establishments for our children, are some ideal examples.

Business growth is positive in that it offers job opportunities, increased revenue, and more visitors to our town. It could also adversely affect our current extremely limited public parking options in the Village Zone. The need to establish a space for a municipal parking lot or parking garage is crucial. I know this topic has been brought up before, and each time, it's simply explained it can't be done, or that we don’t have the space for it. I'd like us to really question that explanation, to come up with creative ideas, and work to have it done.

Potential business growth will also add to our current town traffic problems. Therefore, I want to continue my efforts in seeking Maryland State Highway Administration approval to reconfigure the square traffic light pattern. A four-way alternating pattern, including East and West Main, not just North and South Seton, is necessary. It is an inconvenience to have traffic backed up due to vehicles waiting to turn left off Main Street, and a safety issue with cars illegally passing them on the right. When the square redesign project was presented to us, a four-way alternating traffic light pattern was part of that package. However, it was then decided there was an insignificant amount of traffic through town to warrant it. I whole-heartedly disagree, and because I listen, I know a lot of you do, too.

That's just a little bit of what I hope to accomplish during my third term. Please give me a call 301-748-8516 or email (jritz@emmitsburgmd.gov) to discuss further, or as always, for any questions or concerns you may have. Remember, I'm here to serve you, and I appreciate your vote on September 29th. Thank you!