- Continue the revitalization of downtown Hagerstown by focusing efforts on the Arts and Entertainment District.
- Expand the Neighborhoods First community involvement program.
Penny May Nigh
Incumbent councilwoman
Age: 57
Party: Democrat
Address: North Mulberry Street
Occupation: Grandmother
Platform:
- Continue to push for a central booking facility to free up city police officers' patrol time.
- Look at giving residents more opportunities to speak in front of city officials before votes are recorded.
- Improve after-school and mentoring opportunities for city children.
- Preserve city's historic resources.
Alesia Parson
Age: 40
Party: Democrat
Address: North Jonathan Street
Occupation: Full-time student, community volunteer
Platform:
- Foster community relations and involvement through personal contact, and improve outreach efforts through Antietam Cable Channel 6.
- Focus on the needs of city schools through better partnerships with Washington County government.
- Look for ways to improve the local job market and keep housing prices down to keep housing affordable.
- Balance the needs for police as the city continues to grow.
Henry Renner Jr.
Age: 49
Party: Democrat
Address: Bryan Place
Occupation: County construction inspector
Platform:
- Improve the city water and sewer system.
- Supports Washington County Hospital's move to a site near Robinwood Medical Center.
- Increase the amount of private investment in downtown Hagerstown.
- Improve cooperation between the city and Washington County government.
Donald L. Souders Jr.
Age: 31
Party: Democrat
Address: Georgia Avenue
Occupation: Tobacco sales
Platform:
- Reduce urban sprawl by focusing residential development within current city limits.
- Look to expand the city's home ownership program by borrowing money to purchase homes, refurbish them and sell them under need-based criteria.
- Hire more police officers and firefighters, and push for new revenue sources to pay for additional forces.
- Increase public involvement in government by holding more public meetings between city, county and state officials.
Democratic mayoral candidate
William M. Breichner
Incumbent mayor
Age: 73
Party: Democrat
Address: Oak Hill Avenue
Occupation: Retired, city administrator, water service consultant
Platform:
- Improve all types of housing in the city while finding ways to keep housing costs affordable.
- Devise long-term plans for upgrading the city's fire and rescue services, including personnel and facilities improvements.
- Look at holding more citizen comment sessions to improve communication between city government and residents.
- Continue to hold Washington County Hospital accountable for its proposed move.
Republican City Council candidates
Ruth Anne Callaham
Age: 55
Party: Republican
Address: Lindsay Lane
Occupation: Nonprofit executive
Platform:
- Bring better jobs to Hagerstown.
- Revitalize the city, including downtown.
- Expand city limits, focusing on maximizing benefits of residential and commercial development for city residents.
- Develop innovative measures to address the lack of water and sewer capacity.
The Rev. Haru Carter Jr.
Age: 58
Party: Republican
Address: Hamilton Boulevard
Occupation: Pastor
Platform:
- Improve the Jonathan Street corridor by focusing more anti-crime efforts there, including reducing drug trafficking.
- Create better relationships among the city's diverse populations, including holding more culturally diverse events.
- Foster unity among the City Council and Washington County Commissioners by meeting more frequently.
- Promote job growth and business growth in downtown Hagerstown.
Scott D. Hesse
Age: 49
Party: Republican
Address: Park Lane
Occupation: Computer networking business owner
Platform:
- Improve communication among city, county and state government.
- Make a goal of not increasing taxes or fees, and look to reducing them.
- Prepare better for residential and commercial growth.
- Improve the city's roads, water and sewer system, and police and fire protection.
Dan G. Kennedy
Age: 51
Party: Republican
Address: South Prospect Street
Occupation: Specialty store owner
Platform:
- Improve standard of living for city residents through job growth.
- Lend a better ear toward businesses in the city.
- Be a steward of the process to correct the sewage treatment system.
- Expand the geographic focus of downtown revitalization.
Tory VanReenen
Age: 56
Party: Republican
Address: East Irvin Avenue
Occupation: Accountant
Platform:
- Look for efficiencies in government to keep taxes down.
- Increase the number of higher-paying jobs throughout the city.
- Improve communication with county, state, business and nonprofit leaders.
- Find ways to bring more people downtown, including better marketing and more visible public safety.
