By Heraldmailmedia.com

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Hagerstown City Councilman Paul D. Corderman to the Maryland General Assembly on Tuesday.

Corderman was recommended last week by the Washington County Republican Central Committee to replace Judge Brett Wilson in the House of Delegates. Hogan appointed Wilson to the Circuit Court for Washington County last month.

“Paul has served his constituents well as a councilman for the City of Hagerstown,” Hogan said in a statement. “I am confident he will continue to work hard for the people of his district as a member of the General Assembly.”

Corderman will represent legislative District 2B, which roughly follows Hagerstown's boundaries. 

He was elected to his first term on the city council last year, and has served on the Design Committee for Main Street Hagerstown.

Corderman, a lifelong resident of Washington County, is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.

The central committee chose Corderman on Thursday from among three applicants to fill the vacancy. 

Among the other two finalists was Laura Spessard Herrera, a vice president and financial adviser at the Hershey-Fitzsimmons Group, RBC Wealth Management and an at-large board member of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce. 

The other finalist was Hagerstown Tea Party President Donald "Donny" Ravas, who is chief executive officer of Dell Transport courier service.

Corderman said Tuesday that his appointment marks "a new commitment" for both Hagerstown and his family, and said he is excited about serving in Annapolis.

"I know the challenges the city is facing, and I look forward to working on the state level to meet them," he said.

Corderman said he plans to meet soon with other members of the county's delegation to the General Assembly to discuss the county's priorities in the upcoming legislative session. The 2018 session begins Jan. 10.

Corderman's pending departure from city government will leave a new vacancy on the Hagerstown City Council. 

The council last week appointed Hagerstown businesswoman Shelley McIntire to fill the seat vacated by Councilman Donald F. Munson, who resigned in November. 

McIntire is scheduled to take office Tuesday.

By LocalDVM.com

HAGERSTOWN, Md - If you're in Hagerstown, chances are you may have seen Paul Corderman. Corderman has served on the Hagerstown Council for the last year and is a Hub City native. He was recently selected to the Maryland House of Delegates and says he is humbled to have that opportunity. 

“As far as this opportunity for myself, I couldn't be more excited about it. Incredibly humbled by it as well, but extremely grateful to have this opportunity,” said Corderman.

Coming to the City Council, Corderman has stressed three things, which are public safety, fiscal responsibility and growth and development. Corderman says he has seen success in all those areas, especially public safety. 

“I'm proud to say for the first time in many years, our fire department has been made whole. Police department we got a five-year contract extension with them, so public safety remains first and foremost a priority in the City of Hagerstown. I’m very proud of that accomplishment,” said Corderman.   

Corderman will represent District 2B in the upcoming general assembly. He says he wants to continue the work he started while serving on the city council.

“When we go down to Annapolis we want to be able to work together, to not only do what's best for the City of Hagerstown, but what's best for the state of Maryland, to not only move the city forward, but the state forward as well,” said Corderman.  

And Corderman is taking over right after former Delegate Brett Wilson was sworn in to be a judge. He says he has talked to Judge Wilson to get advice and will be retaining his assistant.

“I'm going to be meeting with her next week to get up to speed, so to speak to see what he had in the works in the last session for what he had going forward,” said Corderman.  

Corderman says it's still surreal how everything has played out for him to serve the City of Hagerstown.

“The way this process has taken, I couldn't believe it looking back two years ago, but I’m so excited for the opportunity and really to give back to give the citizens of Hagerstown a voice," said Corderman. 

Feature in Herald Mail Media by Carlee Lammers

Lifelong Hagerstown resident and political newcomer Paul D. Corderman said he wants to work with residents to move the city forward.

Corderman, 38, is vying for a spot on the five-member Hagerstown City Council. "There needs to be some changes in this town. Things need to move forward," said Corderman, who works as shop manager at Mace Auto Body in Smithsburg. "There are a lot of things that need to be done to move us forward."

Corderman, a 1995 graduate of North Hagerstown High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Maryland, said he wants to take a "more collaborative approach" to creating safer neighborhoods, encouraging growth and development, and promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability.

In light of a growing heroin epidemic, Corderman said he believes safety is a "major concern" for the city. He wants to take a collaborative approach to "do whatever it takes to provide a safe environment for all of us."

"We need to attack this thing head-on together to make Hagerstown a better place to live and work," Corderman said.
Encouraging economic growth and development by broadening the tax base, engaging local real-estate agents and embracing the local business community also are high priorities, he said.

Corderman said reducing red tape, and offering additional grants and tax incentives will help further growth and development.

"Gov. (Larry) Hogan has declared Maryland is open for business," he said. "It’s about time that Hagerstown is open for business as well."

Proactively addressing tax shortfalls, setting aside "individual agendas" and holding the city accountable are ways Corderman said he believes Hagerstown could hold the line on taxes and increase fiscal responsibility and accountability.  
Corderman said he is calling for the council to "come together to create an economically sound community."  
City candidates are running in nonpartisan races this year.

In the April 26 primary, city voters will select 10 council candidates to advance to the general election on Nov. 8.
In addition to Corderman, the candidates include incumbent Councilman Kristin B. Aleshire, Brandon S. Boldyga, Emily Keller, incumbent Councilman Lewis C. Metzner, Dot McDonald-Kline, incumbent Councilman Donald F. Munson, incumbent Councilwoman Penny May Nigh, Colin Ploscaru, Carlos Reyes and Aaron C. Smith.
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Council members serve terms of four years, earn $8,000 annually and are eligible for city health benefits.

Paul Corderman, 38, who resides with his wife and daughter in the City of Hagerstown, announced today that he has filed for candidacy for a seat on the Hagerstown City Council. Corderman, the son of former State Senator and Circuit Court Judge John P. Corderman, is a 2000 graduate of the University of Maryland and a 1995 graduate of North Hagerstown High School.

Corderman’s vision as a future member of the Council is to work together with his fellow City residents to create a better quality of life and promote growth and economic development throughout all of Hagerstown. A member of the Main Street Design Work Group, Corderman said he sees the positive impact that enhancing the City Center would have on the town as a whole.

“I believe in not only the potential of the downtown, but also the entire City of Hagerstown,” said Corderman. “We are a viable community, and can create even more sustainability for our economy by working together and building upon the great character and history we already have in place.”
Corderman looks forward to meeting even more of his fellow residents and business owners throughout this campaign and listening to their needs, concerns and hopes for their City.
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“As a member of the Hagerstown City Council, my role would be voicing and championing what’s important to the people of our community,” said Corderman. “Together we can create a better Hagerstown.”