MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 23, 2004

CITY OF FREDERICK TO CELEBRATE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT WEEK, APRIL 26-30

Frederick, Md. --- Since 1993 Maryland cities and towns have celebrated Municipal Government Week. Designed to promote citizens' awareness of and interest in their local government, the City of Frederick will celebrate Municipal Government Week 2004, April 26-30 with a variety of activities and events. Local government impacts many lives each day. Basic services that the city provides, such as police protection to recreational activities, are all offered through your local government.

The City of Frederick has chosen to celebrate Municipal Government Week 2004 by highlighting activities and places that are considered business as usual. Events and activities for the City will include:

Saturday, April 24, 2004
· Volunteers from Community Commons, The Potomac Conservancy and the general public will participate in a tree planting near the stream bank of Carroll Creek, near the Schifferstadt Museum. This planting is consistent with the Carroll Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project which was grant funded through the Department of Natural Resources. Volunteers are always welcome, contact Donna Leak, 301-624-1232.

Monday, April 26, 2004
· City of Frederick chiefs and directors will join the Mayor for a community clean up effort focusing on the south end of town. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

· Public Tours of City Hall, 11:30 a.m. No registration is required. Stop by the front desk at City Hall.

· Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) 11 Meeting, 7 p.m., C. Burr Arts Library. NAC 12 Meeting, 7 p.m., Frederick Aviation. Public are welcomed to attend and learn more about the Neighborhood Advisory Council initiative.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004
· Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) 10 Meeting, 6 p.m., South Frederick Elementary School. City of Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine will be the keynote speaker addressing the issue of Community Policing. Public are welcomed to attend and learn more about the Neighborhood Advisory Council initiative.

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
· Public Tours of City Hall, 11:30 a.m. No registration is required. Stop by the front desk at City Hall.

· Mayor Jennifer Dougherty will issue a Municipal Government Week Proclamation during the Regular Mayor and Board Workshop. "The City of Frederick, a municipality, enhances the quality of life for its residents by maintaining natural and historic sites and structures, and by providing cultural, recreational and entertainment programs for all," stated Mayor Dougherty.

· Citizens are encouraged to get involved in their municipal government's by attending a weekly Workshop of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. 2 p.m., City Hall Board Room. Public comment is encouraged and welcome. The agenda for this Workshop includes: Budget Discussion on Engineering, Building/Inspections/Permits, as well as Planning, including the Frederick Municipal Airport and Community Development.

· Attend the third in a series of four Land Management Ordinance Meetings. These meetings hosted by the City of Frederick's Planning Department are a part of the Comprehensive Development Ordinance Update. The Land Management Ordinance will be drafted to contain and combine all current City ordinances and development regulations, such as Subdivision, Zoning, Forest Conservation, Floodplain, Storm Water Management, etc. Topics that will be discussed at this Public Meeting include: differences between regulations for the downtown zoning districts and other areas of the City, Performance Standards, Landscaping and Residential yard requirements, Signs, Accessory Uses and other Non-residential Uses in Residential districts and other topics. The meeting will take place from 7 - 9 p.m., City Hall Board Room.

Thursday, April 29, 2004
· Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) 1 Meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall Board Room. Public are welcomed to attend and learn more about the Neighborhood Advisory Council initiative.

Friday, April 30, 2004
· Public Tours of City Hall, 11:30 a.m. No registration is required. Stop by the front desk at City Hall.

· Friends of Golf View Park will hold a ribbon cutting, 5:30 p.m. The purpose for the ribbon cutting is to celebrate the new playground equipment that was recently installed. Mayor Dougherty will issue a Proclamation from the Governor of Maryland, Bob Ehrlich honoring Playground Safety Week.

Saturday, May 1, 2004
· The Office of Special Events will sponsor the annual "Beyond the Garden Gates" Garden Tour, which has joined forces with Mayfest 2004 to bring you a garden-themed celebration of spring sure to bring out the green thumb in all of us. The self-guided tour includes ten public gardens, some familiar, others unexpected. Guests can visit the gardens from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. free of charge. For more information about this year's "Beyond the Garden Gates" Garden Tour, please call the City of Frederick Office of Special Events at 301-600-CITY (2489) or visit www.cityoffrederick.com.

· After the garden tour, stay downtown for Mayfest activities, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. New for 2004, Mayfest attendees can build a bouquet. Participating merchants will offer a flower to each person entering their stores while supplies last. Each downtown location will feature a different flower. Visit several stores and you will have a bouquet of lovely flowers to begin your celebration of spring. For more information about Mayfest or First Saturday Gallery Walk, contact Downtown Frederick Partnership at 301-698-8118.

· Art also will be on display Saturday night, when local galleries and shops open their doors for First Saturday Gallery Walk. This year-round monthly event features the best of Downtown Frederick from 5 to 9 p.m. More than 60 galleries, specialty shops and restaurants are open late. Sip refreshing beverages while checking out guest artists, gallery openings and live entertainment. The May 1st First Saturday Gallery Walk will highlight new art works for spring.