Council Member Jud Ashman Selected as Mayor of Gaithersburg

Council Member Jud Ashman has been conditionally selected by his peers on the City Council to serve as Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg until the next municipal election.

The selection is contingent upon the election of current Mayor Sidney Katz as District 3 representative to the Montgomery County Council on November 4, 2014. Pending the outcome of that election, it is anticipated that Council Member Ashman will be sworn in as Mayor on Monday, Nov. 10.

“I am honored and grateful for the support of my colleagues on the council,” said Council Member Ashman. “I’m looking forward to serving all of Gaithersburg’s stakeholders in this new capacity.”

Ashman, who has served on the Gaithersburg City Council since 2007, will serve as mayor until the next municipal election on November 3, 2015. In that election, the mayoral term will be for two years, fulfilling the remainder of the four year term which began in 2013.

“The council and I have accomplished much together over the years,” said Mayor Sidney Katz. “Pending my election to the County Council, I have no doubt that Mayor Ashman, the City Council and I will continue our efforts to work collaboratively to uphold Gaithersburg’s reputation as one of Montgomery County’s great communities.”

The City Council is in the process of evaluating applications for the anticipated vacant City Council position. Twelve applications were received for the position from the following individuals: Joseph Allen, Richard L. Arkin, Jarrod Borkat, Bruce Goldensohn, Neil H. Harris, Yvette D. Monroe, Thomas S. Rowse, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Joshua Schuman, Juan Carlos Villao, William Gregory Wims, and Robert T. Wu.

The City Council will meet in executive session on Oct. 13 to narrow the selection of candidates to no more than five. Selected candidates will be invited to each deliver a three-minute statement at the Mayor and City Council Work Session on Oct. 27 and participate in evening interviews with City Council members, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 29. Selection of the new council member will take place in executive session on Nov. 3, with the swearing in taking place on November 10, to be immediately followed by a reception in the City Hall Gallery. The selected Council Member will serve until the next municipal election on Nov. 3, 2015.

Section 35 of the City Code allows for the City Council to select individuals to fill vacancies, but also provides for public petition for a special election for either or both of these appointed positions. The petition must contain the signatures of at least 20 percent of the registered voters in Gaithersburg and be received within 30 days of an appointment.

See the City Code under the “Government” tab on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov for details.