WHY I KEEP VOTING AGAINST DATA CENTERS
2,600
Acres rezoned for data centers
under Ordinance 26.01.001
21,000+
Signatures neighbors gathered in 59 days asking for a public vote
5-2
Jerry Donald was one of the two council votes AGAINST data center expansion on December 23, 2025
What we're actually being asked to give up
These are the reasons I put in writing the week of the vote — not talking points assembled afterward.
1
As a part of my district, I represent Adamstown. The residents there were overwhelmingly against the expansion.
2
Data centers use a great deal of water. We don’t have an excess of water in Frederick County.
3
Data centers use an enormous amount of electricity. If we are against the expansion of the transmission lines, how can we be in favor of an expansion of data centers?
4
This demand for electricity is driving up our electric bills. If the proponents of data centers argue that the data centers will pay large property taxes to the county, thus relieving homeowners of some of their increasing property tax bills, it will do those same homeowners little good if their electric bills increase exorbitantly.
5
The continuous testing of diesel generators will create noise problems for nearby residents. I can’t say for certain what the health impact will be, but I have never heard of diesel exhaust improving anyone’s health.
6
The expanded area for data centers requires changing the Rural Legacy map. Rural Legacy is a state program that, among other things, helps an area keep its rural way of life.
7
The agricultural community voiced concerns about losing prime farmland to data centers. I listened to the farmers.
What I'll Push For
A real, independent accounting of water and power costs — before the next acre is rezoned, not after.
![power[1].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9adbaf_068d65a8f62e4e3190f6fcc401b085ac~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_218,h_218,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/power%5B1%5D.png)
Large users paying for the power they draw, so the cost doesn’t land on your bill.
![vote[1].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9adbaf_960798fba46a423c9efc799dad804770~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_218,h_218,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/vote%5B1%5D.png)
Referendum rights that a thousand-dollar printing decision can’t erase.
![money[1].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9adbaf_654295b080b64ee781ece6fb0275c4cf~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_218,h_218,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/money%5B1%5D.png)
No public money and no public land for a project that won’t open its books.