Mount Airy Mayor Larry Hushour looks back at an 'eventful' 2023
Dec. 29—By Sherry Greenfield — sgreenfield@baltsun.com
PUBLISHED:December 29, 2023 at 4:28 p.m.| UPDATED:December 29, 2023 at 4:29 p.m.
Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories talking to Carroll County mayors about the past year and looking ahead at plans for 2024.
Larry Hushour just completed his second full year as mayor of Mount Airy and says, going into 2024, he's hoping the town can finally secure a more permanent home for its police department.
The Mount Airy Police Department employs nine full-time officers, including its new chief, Michael Ginevra, who was sworn in earlier this month. Ginevra has said he hopes to increase the department's size to 12 officers, which he said would allow for 24-hour policing of the town, as well as more community-centric patrols on foot.
Another priority for Hushour is restoration of the town's historic Flat Iron Building, which is located at the intersection of Main Street and Park Avenue. He been on the front lines fighting to save what he calls an iconic town building. He put together a task force of residents to study structural and engineering improvements needed to save the building from being demolished. In February the town council voted to rehabilitate and preserve the historic building after debating its future for years.
Hushour was elected mayor in November 2021 during a special election following the death of former Mayor Patrick Rockinberg. He answered the following questions via email this week.
What are the top accomplishments the town made during the last year?
Mount Airy had a very eventful 2023! Most notably, we remediated the contamination of 0.6 miles of an old railroad right of way and added it to our Rails to Trails initiative. We used (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to change all the "failing" water meters in our town and completed many water and sewer projects. We've welcomed a new chief of police and two new council members. And we've celebrated with many business-friendly and family-oriented events throughout the year!
What are the top priorities and issues the town is facing in 2024?
Mount Airy is in a cycle of dealing with many proposed "mixed-use" developments. We are listening to all the concerns of our citizens and trying to minimize any future impacts by following the town's processes while being respectful of property owners. PFAS (forever plastics) in the town's water supply demand our full attention. This is a safety concern that must be addressed. In 2024, the town is hoping to secure property to be used as a location to build a needed police station. (We currently are renting a facility in town.) And planning continues on the renovation of the Flat Iron Building while making sure we are responsible with next year's town budget.
How is the town's working relationship with the county government?
Mount Airy is extremely happy with the presence of Commissioner (Michael) Guerin as he represents our district! He has been very accessible to hear of our issues and I believe 2024 will be a chance to take the conversations of 2023 and turn them into county action. In particular, we have concerns about the needs of our aging population, the town's inadequacy of open space, a safe pedestrian crossing at (Route) 27, and the complexities of public transportation across the Carroll and Frederick county lines.
How do you envision the city/county working relationship in 2024?
I am very optimistic that 2024 will open doors allowing for movement on the several initiatives listed in the prior answer. Our relationships between local, county and state government seem to have tightened in 2023. Hopefully Mount Airy will be able to partner successfully with the county and state to keep our local taxes low while gaining some improvements to the town's infrastructure.
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