Annapolis Capital Punishment

Today’s Baltimore Sun and Capital report that Annapolis City officials have shut down the renovation of our city’s police station due to what The Sun calls “inconsistencies between design plans and the actual work, water leakage, poor masonry work, and poorly fitted windows and doors.” Robert O. Schuetz, acting director of central services said the project is a year behind schedule. Well, at least Mr. Schuetz is not likely to be blamed here--he is new and may on fact be the best thing to happen to the city recently, but this process started under his predecessor, a man who was widely considered to be the most difficult and uncooperative employee in city government but who stayed on for years due to bureaucratic inertia, or maybe for fear of ?????. He has since left his job, perhaps because he was ready for retirement, or perhaps because of the Market House debacle. Let’s hope Mr. Schuetz can bring some order, but the question remains--who is “managing” things?

Is it the Mayor, or do eco tours, horses and anniversary celebrations occupy all her time? Is it the so-called City Administrator, or do his junkets to Brazil and China attract all his attention? What role should the Chief of Police have, if any, in this situation?

Should we be amazed that yet another city project has gone sour? How hard can it be? CP managed to see to it that the contractor he hired to renovate his home did the job on time and within budget, so why can’t the “professionals” entrusted with our money do the same? Again, CP says this is another example of why we need a City Manager form of government, or that we are not getting real management and administration from our City Administrator.

CP visited the station last fall to express his concerns over traffic, bicycling and walking safety to a group of officers and was appalled at the total mess. It was a rainy day and the parking lot was a disaster, with standing water, running water and mud flowing all over the place. There were no clear walkways or signs and CP had to wander through much of the construction area of the building--unescorted, without any help in finding the actual portion of the station that was opened. Water and mud was being tracked through the entire building and well, of course it look like a construction--only much worse--especially for a public building which was still occupied and providing vital public services. There were no signs and no apparent walkways through the construction to direct visitors. The whole thing felt unsafe and insecure.

Mayor Moyer and Mr. Agee--please explain to us in an honest and straightforward manner how you intend to fix this unacceptable situation.