Hough talks tax cuts, Fitzwater focuses on affordable housing in executive forum

County Councilwoman Jessica Fitzwater and state Sen. Michael Hough outlined their visions for Frederick County growth during a county executive candidate forum on Wednesday. Fitzwater and Hough were granted two minutes to respond to questions on topics that included their first 100 days in office, housing, and property and recordation taxes. “The biggest barrier in Frederick County is access to safe and affordable housing,” Fitzwater said. “It is a crisis.” Fitzwater, an elementary school music teacher finishing her second four-year term on the County Council, said the county must increase the number of affordable housing options for residents.