Annapolis Capital Punishment

Did you forget to vote? Even though the Capital incorrectly reported the slight voter turnout (it conveniently forgot to mention that the thousand or more unaffiliated or "U" voters were ineligible to vote) the turnout for the primaries on January 2 was disappointing. Of course the timing was terrible, but if all politics is local, are we ever in trouble. After all, we're talking about the person to represent you directly on the City Concil which guides your local government and spends your local money, as in property taxes. The Capital did correctly quote yours truly who said the real "winners" were the non-voters who were derelict in their civic duty. Former Vice President Spiro Agnew (and he was also our Gov) got it right when he referred to the great silent majority. On January 30, the general election will take place in Wards Four and Eight.

This election costs us all big bucks--SO VOTE!!

In Ward Eight, recent Eastport arrival, but leading civic activist Ross Arnett takes on Republican Frank Bradley. As president of the 450 member Eastport Civic Association, Arnett has an impressive record of service, though he is new to Annapolis--just five years, after serving 32 in a federal job as an expert in health care pricing and policy. Bradley, a semi-retired owner of a floor covering business is known to many as a local Santa Claus and for his activist role in his community, the far-right edge of Ward Eight bordering on Highland-Parkwood Avenue. Arnett scores points for being actively involved in what is arguably the most or second most active ward in the city and for attracting the attention of local Democratic activists. Bradley is considered to be the "go-to" man in his neighborhood for bringing attention to and response to concerns, especially on crime and police matters.

Bradley says he listens to and will do what his constituents tell him to do. Arnett has more of an agenda, focusing on crime, traffic, parking and growth--all striking a chord with Eastporters. Bradley is in many respects a bit of a political neophyte and when I asked what his issues were, he kept getting back to crime, crime and crime--and Forest Drive traffic, which, although it is city-wide in nature, is not specifically a Ward 8 issue--or is it? The race is on and the real winner-or loser may be Mayor Ellen Moyer. Her former seat is crucial to maintaining control on City Council, and she could generally count on Alderman Josh Cohen, whose move on to County Council, has left this seat for grabs. Republicans are hungry. Longtime R activist and former House of Delegates candidate Nancy Almgren is backing Bradley and Rene Swafford (recent loser to Cohen), a woman who says she is too busy to vote (but still asked for our vote so she could vote for us on the County Council), was also seen backing Bradley.

On Arnett's side, he has enlisted the support of many Dem activists, including Dennis Conti, who ran Cohen's successful campaign. He is working closely with Lee Finney, has the support of Boatyard Bar and Grill owner Dick Franyo (had their party there) and even mayoral appointee (and Arnett neighbor) Mike Miron was seen working hard (and as noted--after hours) on Arnett's behalf. It has been reported, though not yet verified, that Mayor Moyer was making personal calls urging support for Arnett (over yours truly I might add) in the primary. Somehow, the 40,000 member United Food and Commercial Worker's Union, supposedly representing the 120 or so local city cops, took out a huge--and expensive ad, just before the primary, supporting Arnett and Finlayson. Supposedly speaking on behalf of the city's men and women in blue, by all appearances, it was a big union ploy--possibly brought on by her Honor herself, to see that her handpicked choices got in. Moyer is a former teacher's union official and Finlayson is active in teacher/union causes. More to come...