NEWS

Why I voted against the data center overlay map

January 2, 2026

Frederick News Post

The Frederick News Post published a letter to the editor that I wrote regarding the Frederick County Council’s decision to expand the Overlay Map for Data Centers far beyond what the Planning Commission recommended. As the Councilman for District One, which the entire overlay zone is in, I was one of two votes against this decision. You can read the letter here.

In the letter to the FNP, I explained why I voted no, and I wanted to share those reasons here:

The vast majority of the residents of the Adamstown area were against this. As their council member I have an obligation to represent their interests.
Data Centers use a great deal of water. We do not have an excess of water.
Data Centers use an enormous amount of electricity. If we are against the expansion of transmission lines how can we be in favor of data center expansion?
This demand for electricity is driving up our electric bills. If we say that expanding the data center footprint will bring in more tax dollars to relieve pressure on property owners, it will do those property owners little good if their electric bills are increasing exorbitantly.
The testing of the diesel generators will create a noise problem for the community. I can’t say for certain what the health impact will be, but I have never heard of diesel exhaust improving anyone’s health.
The expanded map will require changing the Rural Legacy map. This both takes away certainty for landowners in the map and encourages and rewards land speculation.
The agricultural community, already concerned about new power lines, also voiced concerns about losing prime farmland to data centers. I agreed with those concerns and, in addition to the reasons listed above, voted accordingly.

Frederick County Council Member Jerry Donald to run for state delegate in 2026

September 19, 2025

Frederick News Post

Frederick County Councilman Jerry Donald To Run For State Delegate From District Four

September 15, 2025

WFMD

Jerry Donald Announces Candidacy for Maryland House of Delegates in District Four

September 14, 2025

Frederick County Councilmember Jerry Donald has announced his candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates in District Four. After representing the residents of Frederick County District One for the past 12 years, Donald now hopes to use his experience to benefit the residents of Maryland’s Legislative District Four and work to bring more funding back to the district.

Donald said, “As delegate for District Four, I want to use my experience to bring residents’ tax dollars back to our district. The current members of the House of Delegates in District Four only brought $175,000 back to the district for Fiscal Year 2026. Comparatively, the members representing District Three brought back over $12 million. Frederick County has several large projects coming up which will require state support to be realized, including a new high school in Brunswick. We need our state partners to do their share, and as your state delegate I hope to use my experience as a councilmember to ensure we’re getting the funding we need.”

As a Frederick County Councilmember representing District One, Jerry Donald successfully advocated for multiple projects including a new library and fire hall in Middletown, the development of Othello Park, Ballinger Creek Trail, and Point of Rocks Community Commons Park, and the renovation of Middletown Park, as well as the construction of Brunswick, Urbana, Sugarloaf, and Valley elementary schools.

To learn more, visit www.donald4delegate.com.

NEWS

Why I voted against the data center overlay map

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The vast majority of the residents of the Adamstown area were against this. As their council member I have an obligation to represent their interests.

Data Centers use a great deal of water. We do not have an excess of water.

Data Centers use an enormous amount of electricity. If we are against the expansion of transmission lines how can we be in favor of data center expansion?

This demand for electricity is driving up our electric bills. If we say that expanding the data center footprint will bring in more tax dollars to relieve pressure on property owners, it will do those property owners little good if their electric bills are increasing exorbitantly.

The testing of the diesel generators will create a noise problem for the community. I can’t say for certain what the health impact will be, but I have never heard of diesel exhaust improving anyone’s health.

The expanded map will require changing the Rural Legacy map. This both takes away certainty for landowners in the map and encourages and rewards land speculation.

The agricultural community, already concerned about new power lines, also voiced concerns about losing prime farmland to data centers. I agreed with those concerns and, in addition to the reasons listed above, voted accordingly.