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Hi, I’m Dave Schmidt,
I was born and raised here in Frederick. It’s my home. At 16, I spent 2 years at Frederick Community College, where they taught me how to research, how to love learning, and how to find the truth. I now proudly serve on the FCC Foundation Board. I joined the United States Marine Corps, deployed during the Iraq War and came home. My father taught me how to serve others. The Marine Corps taught me how to lead. I have spent my life working in small local businesses and have served on local boards and commissions for 20 years. Those that know me the most, know that my time, my focus, and my energy are set on making our City better each day. It is my deepest belief that we should work hard to help others. My work on the board of the local Salvation Army and Christmas Cash for Kids and others are a small part of my effort to build a better tomorrow. I am invested in the preservation of our City treasures and the places we cherish. Our work keeping the amazing legacy of Wag's Restaurant going for another 43 years is a personal investment in protecting the places we love the most. I am running for City Council to represent and advocate for our community as far up as they’ll listen. I am able and willing to do the hard work required to make tomorrow better for everyone in the city. Please request a time to meet with me to discuss how we build that better tomorrow.
I’m asking you to Vote Schmidt in District 3, and let’s build that better tomorrow, together.
Dave Schmidt

Share Your
Experience
The only way to build a better tomorrow is to truly understand what it is like for every one of our residents to live in the City of Frederick. That starts with listening and giving the volume and time to voices that have been ignored or drowned out. Please share what our local government could do to make life for you and your family better.
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Issues
Infrastructure Investment
The reality is that our infrastructure is not prepared for the future. Addressing the growing needs of the City of Frederick will require substantial investment from our community, the county, and the state. We can no longer delay action; the time to plan and invest is now. This can only be achieved through the support and collaboration of our community. It’s essential that we engage in a meaningful conversation about our shared values and determine how to allocate our resources most effectively. We also need to seriously re-examine our APFO (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance) and ensure that the residents of our City are a meaningful part of the discussion.
Meaningful Preservation & Affordable Living
There is currently a significant disconnect between the economic challenges of owning property and running businesses and our collective desire to preserve the charm of our historic downtown. While we are committed to maintaining the character, atmosphere, and culture of our city, forcing residents to endure outdated, drafty windows that are impossible to replace isn't the solution. We need to bridge the gap between our values and the realities we face. Livability must include affordability. It is the responsibility of our local leaders to find solutions that properly manage growth without driving people out of their homes and businesses. This must include creative solutions like SROs, micro-housing, and tiny homes.
Community Engagement
Our city government exists to serve the people, and every decision should reflect the values and wishes of our vibrant community. It’s essential that we engage continuously and meaningfully with residents to understand how policies impact real lives. I am fully dedicated to being accessible, listening to everyone in the downtown community, and advocating for my neighbors at every level of government. If you have the desire to build a better tomorrow, I will work tirelessly with you to achieve it.
Workforce and Economic Development
We stand at a pivotal moment in our history. As the fastest-growing community in Maryland, sustaining our city will require a thriving and successful business environment that offers meaningful, fulfilling employment opportunities for all residents. We cannot afford to fall behind. We must prioritize workforce development, equipping our community with the education and training needed for the jobs of the future. We should celebrate and support new and innovative businesses, fostering an environment where residents feel empowered to take risks and pursue new ventures, knowing the community and the City government will stand behind them.
Transportation
Our City has placed too much emphasis on personal vehicle transportation, leading to parking challenges and economic barriers that hinder community engagement and access to employment. We must bridge the gaps created by our city’s layout, finding solutions to help more people navigate the city without relying on private car ownership or costly ride-sharing options. A dedicated Downtown Circulator is an excellent first step in making this vision a reality.
Parking
We need to rethink the way we envision parking in the city and we need to prepare for a future that is significantly less car-centric. Creative solutions are required. For example, parking meters are old technology and not sustainable for the city. They are a drain on the City's resources to maintain and empty. We have a possible solution with the ParkMobile system that is already in place and this change is supported by the city staff responsible for parking. It's safer for staff, it's better for our community, and will solve a host of other issues. Most importantly, we need to examine all possible solutions, and act now. Not wait until it is too late. We also need to look at other free parking solutions with robust and continuous transit options to every part of our city.
My Promise to You
I will never claim to have all the answers. But I will dedicate myself to finding the best possible solution in every one of these areas. I am happy to change my mind and perspective as we learn and grow together. I’m not concerned with being the one to come up with the answer—just with ensuring we find the best solutions, no matter who gets the credit.
Our City down
Meet With Dave
Please share how we could build a Better Tomorrow!