One year ago, I was sworn in as the 137th mayor of the City of Annapolis, the greatest honor of my life. I am humbled by the faith the residents of Annapolis have placed in me.
During my inaugural address, I shared my vision for Annapolis, including a festival that celebrates the musical history of Annapolis. Little did we know that instead, we would plan a music benefit with a very different purpose.
Exactly one month after the June 28th shooting at the Capital Gazette offices, we held the Annapolis Rising benefit to honor our friends — Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiassen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters. We cried, danced, and celebrated their lives.
Thanks to the outpouring of support from local businesses, we raised $64,000 directly benefitting the Capital Gazette Families Fund. The response to this tragedy demonstrates how our city has endless capacity to love one another.
The events of June 28th forever changed our city. We are incredibly proud of the professionalism and response of the Annapolis Police Department, Annapolis Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management. Thank you, first responders, for your dependable and lasting service.
A year ago, I pledged to create “One Annapolis,” where all are included, welcomed and valued; where diversity is embraced and celebrated; and where every resident has economic, social, and cultural opportunities. With the support of City Council, Annapolis is well on its way to reaching all of our communities.
Alderwoman Shaneka Henson initiated free bus passes for students to access activities. She, along with Alderman Marc Rodriguez, led efforts to extend the hours of operation at Pip Moyer Recreation Center.
In partnership with Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles, we offered pop-up camps to provide summer learning for children. We established programs to help our residents with financial literacy, home buying, and entrepreneurship.
Alderman Rob Savidge led the way to remove a fence across Victor Parkway that has divided communities for decades. Alderman Ross Arnett hosted a popular National Night Out event in Eastport. Alderman Fred Paone joined me to celebrate the opening of new businesses in West Annapolis.
We kicked off the “Naptown Anti-Dope Move(meant)” with Alderwomen Pindell Charles and Sheila Finlayson’s assistance, bringing residents together with healthcare and addiction service providers.
Alderwomen Pindell Charles and Elly Tierney led the city’s efforts to bring community healing with a Council resolution acknowledging and apologizing for lynchings of African American men in our past.
With Alderman Rodriguez’s leadership, we are offering free English classes at Pip Moyer Recreation Center through Anne Arundel Community College.
In June, we proclaimed “Pride Month” and marched up Main Street in support of the LBGTQ community – an idea of a young student. Annapolis Police designated its first LGBTQ liaison.
In November, families of all ethnicities celebrated a Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Annapolis Design District.
When I took office, I pledged our city would be an environmental leader, and we have delivered. The council passed legislation to ban Styrofoam, to ensure no net loss of trees from development, and to support the establishment of “no discharge zones” in our waterways.
We are deliberating on enhanced stormwater mitigation requirements and moving forward with a flood mitigation project on Compromise Street. We opened a solar park at Waterworks Park and are exploring other environmental programs there as well.
On the economic front, we celebrated the successful opening of the Annapolis Market House and we have commercial developments in progress downtown, in Eastport and West Annapolis, and along Forest Drive. We will continue to move forward in partnership with Historic Annapolis to create a new City Dock and re-energize Main Street. Bike paths aren’t just about bikes, it’s about making our downtown more experiential.
We marched for women. We marched for our lives, led by students, in the largest rally the city has ever seen. We held candlelight vigils for victims of gun violence.
Finally, I am grateful for the leadership of City Manager Teresa Sutherland and the department directors who run an effective city government every day, behind the scenes, and with little acknowledgment. Your city government is in good hands, and we are grateful to our city employees for their service.
It’s been a whirlwind first year with successes and lessons learned. I will continue to carry out my vision of Annapolis as a town where hate has no home; where together, as “One Annapolis,” we continue to develop into a thriving and dynamic city; and where we look for new ideas to improve our way of life and city design.
Join me on the journey.
