On Thursday, November 21, Mayor O’Connor addressed the press in a post-election conference, offering his reflections on the results amidst Donald Trump’s victory. In his remarks, the Mayor shared his thoughts on the election outcome, the challenges ahead, and his commitment to moving forward with a focus on unity and progress for the community. See his full speech below:
Good morning residents of the City of Frederick.
Over the past two weeks, I know many of us have watched… listened … and felt the weight of this year’s election cycle. And now that all of the votes have been counted locally, and we know the outcome of all of our races, the pending Board of Education recount notwithstanding, I felt it important to address the residents of the city that I care about so much.
In many regards, this election cycle did not go as I’d hoped, though I am thankful for the opportunity to develop strong partnerships with our newly-elected Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman April McLain Delaney and maintain our strong relationships with our County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, with our state delegation, and Governor Wes Moore, and his team, that has been in place for the last two years and so supportive of Frederick.
Like many of you, I understand the uncertainty that a Trump presidency brings. We have the experience of his first term as prologue. But will this be a continuation or something different? No one knows.
Now is not a time where we can let that uncertainty stifle us. Now is the time where we … in the City of Frederick … will meet the moment.
As Vice President Harris reminded us so powerfully in her concession speech, now is the time we must be organized, energized, and engaged. And to that, we here in Frederick would add “focused.” Focused on protecting our residents, focused on the work ahead, and focused on upholding the values we hold dear, in this community specifically. Some may see that as a political message. It is not. It is a patriotic one.
While we cannot predict every policy or action this
administration may take, we have seen enough to know our path forward here in Frederick. We will be steadfast in ensuring that our city continues to be a place where
everyone feels safe, respected, and protected over the
coming four years.
First and foremost, I want to make clear to our immigrant community that I will use any and all avenues to ensure you know you are safe in Frederick. Frederick is a city of immigrants and families from all walks of life, and our community will not be fractured by fear. Immigrants …including my late paternal grandparents who emigrated from Ireland … shaped our nation; as the grandson of immigrants, I hold a profound respect for their enduring legacy and contributions. They are why I am here. As many residents know, our City Council recently made a decision to provide voting rights to any resident that calls Frederick home, regardless of citizenship status. We will continue to make progress on implementation, as is our responsibility, and not take any step that would seek to create division, target vulnerable populations, or undermine the trust we
have worked hard to build in our community. Our goal is to ensure everyone feels they have a place here in Frederick, no matter their background, culture, or identity. The Frederick Police Department … in particular … is committed to ensuring all residents feel safe in reporting crime and know they will not be questioned about their immigration status. We refuse to aid and abet outside agencies attempting to detain, deport, or remove any residents from our community. Over the coming weeks our multi-cultural liaison unit will continue proactive checks with members of our community to ensure they know they are safe, and we will continue to provide them the exceptional service FPD is known for.
To reinforce this commitment, I will be asking the City
Council to support a legal advocacy fund in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. This fund will provide resources to community partners for Frederick residents who may be harmed by policies from the new administration, ensuring they have the legal support they need to stand strong and remain in this community they have chosen to call home.
Reproductive rights are fundamental human rights, and we are fortunate to live in a state where these freedoms are not only protected but reaffirmed through the overwhelming will of the people in the most recent election. In Frederick, we stand unequivocally with our state and our residents in defending these rights as essential to health, autonomy, and equality. As a husband, and a father of two daughters, I firmly believe that every individual has the right to make their own health care decisions without interference … And
let me be clear: your body…your choice…we will not waver in our fight to protect and expand access for reproductive care.
As threats to these freedoms persist across the nation
and have been rejected whenever the people, rather than politicians, speak, Frederick will continue to lead by
example, ensuring our community remains a place where justice, equity, and dignity are upheld for all.
Like many in our City, these election results have me
concerned with the direction public education broadly,
and its role, in turn, for our students’ future. Locally, I am
holding out hope for the results of the recount that has been requested by former Alderman and colleague Josh Bokee. And while our City does not directly oversee schools or school policy, I want to stress my desire for a strong education system that works for … as superintendent Doctor Cheryl Dyson would say … every child … every day. Our community … and more importantly … our youth … has my commitment that I will use the power of my office in whatever way I can to support and uphold policies at the Board of Education that support our students’ wellbeing. The City has worked tirelessly in the last two years to support
brighter futures for our youth and expanding opportunity…establishing apprenticeship and fellowship programs, and working with Frederick County and the Ausherman Family Foundation to develop a youth center, as examples … we cannot allow regressive, anti-education policies, that will damage our collective hope for the future…our young people…to take hold in Frederick.
We know there are many residents in our LGBTQ+
community who are fearful of what may come. In the two weeks since the election, one national LGBTQ+ advocacy organization reported experiencing a seven hundred percent increase in LGBTQ+ crisis calls to their hotline. I want our LGBTQ+ community to know you are safe in Frederick. In fact, about an hour ago, the Human Rights Campaign released their 2024 Municipal Equity Index … and for the seventh consecutive year … earned the highest score possible, a perfect 100, for our ongoing efforts to ensure equal treatment of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Being a safe, inclusive community is a distinction I am immensely proud of, and our residents have my commitment that we will maintain the perfect score, and we will continue to be a safe, inclusive community for anyone as long as I am Mayor.
My office has heard from many of our own residents over the last couple of weeks, increasing numbers of stories of individuals experiencing mental health crises in response to the uncertainty we all face. While the City may not be able to provide direct mental health support at this time, I will be asking our City Council’s support for a mental health services fund in this upcoming budget to partner with providers to offer mental health support to those who are struggling. It will build on the crisis response model our police department launched several years ago, as well as the resiliency and wellness support being added in the police department, as a model, to support our own employees. As a City, we also realize the role we play as a partner in amplifying the services of our local providers. To that end, I am directing staff to develop a webpage and social media campaign that highlights resources for individuals who may
be in distress. If you are struggling, The City of Frederick, and I, want you to know there are many people and resources who are here for you.
Some of our residents have asked me what they can do as we face this uncertainty. My answer to them is where we often find our answers — community. Get out from behind the screens and talk to your neighbors, get plugged in locally face-to-face, and work with and in your neighborhoods and city. In Frederick, we are proud to stand together despite our differences and we need to do that now more than ever. I want to listen to you. Together is the only way we will bridge this gap of uncertainty.
In that spirit, I have directed our Communications team … over the coming weeks and months … to develop a series of town halls to bring together leaders from various sectors, including the immigrant community, our LGBTQ+ community, our business community, Black community and service providers, among others. These town halls will not only provide a platform to hear concerns but will also serve as an opportunity to foster collaboration, develop actionable solutions, and reinforce Frederick’s identity as a thriving, safe, and inclusive place to call home. By addressing challenges head-on and empowering diverse voices, we aim to strengthen community resilience and ensure that
Frederick remains a model of equity and unity during
uncertain times.
Frederick is also fortunate to benefit each year from
significant federal grant revenue, supporting essential city services, infrastructure, and community programs. We are prepared to continue advocating for every dollar that comes to our city, so we can maintain the services and opportunities that make Frederick such a special place. Rest assured, our commitment to the well-being of Frederick residents will be unwavering, and we will fight to keep those resources flowing.
In 2018, the City of Frederick embarked on a disparity study regarding our contracting processes and city spending. The result of that study exposed issues in our procurement processes with regards to our lack of contracting with minority and women-owned businesses. Over the last four years, with the help and support of the City Council, we have implemented what I believe is one of the best small government procurement processes in the country, with
ambitious goals for contracting with minority and women-owned businesses. And while the President-elect has indicated a desire to eliminate these kinds of practices, I unequivocally stand by our program, and will do everything in my power to maintain our MWBE and SBR programs for contracting to ensure City spending supports the diverse business opportunities present in our community.
Additionally, in my capacity as President of the Maryland
Municipal League and, as of yesterday, an incoming Vice-
Chair of the Human Development Federal Advocacy
Committee with the National League of Cities, I will
leverage the relationships with elected officials around the state and across the country to ensure we are doing
everything in our power to protect our most vulnerable
residents. Towns and cities like Frederick are the places
where the work that most directly affects people every day gets done. And in Frederick we will lead in being unified to conduct that work.