Aware, Resilient, & Poised for Recovery

Have you noticed the new energy around town? Many of us are enjoying time outdoors again and feeling more confident about safely gathering with friends and family – all thanks to the warmer weather and the increased pace of the vaccination rollout.

The City continues to play its part in the vaccination effort, especially for our vulnerable communities. As well as the weekly clinic at Pip Moyer Recreation Center, I’m pleased we’ve been able to add a new mass vaccination site at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium which opened last week on April 15.

Economic planning is also a big part of our recovery. Last Monday I presented my annual State of the City report and outlined a balanced budget with no structural deficit for the fourth year in a row – no small feat in these difficult times. Annapolis is emerging from the pandemic in a very strong position – far stronger than many others. Not only can we continue to fully fund all our obligations (a goal that’s eluded many previous mayors), we remain on track to deliver long-planned projects, such as the replacement of Hillman Garage and renewal of City Dock.

It all adds up to an incredible change in outlook from just a few months ago and speaks to the qualities that have defined Annapolis in the past year: resilience and readiness. We know Covid numbers across the country are rising again; we know how important it is to be aware of the risks and comply with public safety restrictions and hygiene measures. We won’t be throwing our masks away any time soon, but our strength and hard work means we are now poised for our long awaited summer of recovery.

Election Endorsement: Thank you Steuart Pittman!

I’m proud and grateful to receive the election endorsement of AA County Executive Steuart Pittman. Steuart’s partnership with the City has played a huge part in keeping our community safe and strong over the past 12 months. It has helped us support vulnerable residents through CARES funding, strengthen day-to-day services, and leverage critical support for long-term projects and priorities.

I have enormous respect for Steuart’s integrity and strength as a leader, and I’m very grateful for his friendship. His endorsement for my re-election as Mayor means a lot to me. With his support and yours, I know there are more great things ahead for our City. Thank you, Steuart!

Budget 2021 in focus

Mayor Gavin Buckley has proposed a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2022 with no structural deficit for the fourth year in a row. This is a great result in a year where economies and governments world-wide have been hit by the pandemic-driven economic downturn.
The City will use a portion of its Federal Covid Relief funding to meet operating costs. However, even without this funding, the City’s budget remains strong thanks to the reforms, savings and emergency allocations made over the past three years. Further efficiencies will be applied again this year, but the additional federal funding means deeper cuts can be avoided at a time when public expenditures are crucial to driving recovery.
The budget reforms and sound management of the past three years have and will continue to deliver enormous benefits to our community including:
updated facilities such as the new pool at Truxtun Park
a new Public Works building in a more appropriate location
less flooding at City Dock thanks to the installation of backflow preventers
three times as much funding for roads
major renewal projects such as replacement of Hillman Garage and the City Dock project
funding for cancer prevention measures for our firefighters
an updated, more efficient City fleet, new fire trucks and ambulances
fully funded annual pension contributions and an increase to Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) for the fourth consecutive year.

Wells Cove: an update from Gavin

Public water access at Wells Cove is an issue that goes back forty years and has spanned many City administrations. I became aware of the situation last October 28. Since then, the City has ordered a survey of the area, opened communication with adjacent property owners, and made a request for easement to protect the access point. The request was denied because the passage of decades has affected the legal status of the original easement. However, we now have a strategy in place to work through other available options to preserve this access point. It will take time but I'm committed to doing the work and ensuring public access at Wells Cove is preserved for the whole community.

New Campaign Events Coming!

We are currently scheduling a range of campaign events for the spring and summer. Thank you to everyone who has offered to participate or host an event so far! Joining in campaign events is one of the best ways to show your support for Gavin so we hope to see you soon either virtually, or in person, at one of our safe, socially-distanced events.

Keep an eye out for updates via our campaign website & social pages, and invitations direct to your mailbox.

Annapolis to celebrate Juneteenth

Annapolis will host Maryland’s first Juneteenth celebration with a parade and festival over two days on June 18 & 19.

Juneteenth, sometimes called Emancipation Day, celebrates the end of slavery. It marks the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Texas learned they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. In announcing the event, Gavin noted: “The early history of Annapolis is bound up with the stories of enslaved people so it’s an important day for us to recognize.”

For more information: AnnapolisJuneteenth.org

Have you seen it in person yet?

Our powerful portfolio of public art continues to grow, showcasing our values and heritage. Thanks to Future History Now for our newest mural 'Equal Justice Under Law'. The mural is located on South St, opposite the County Court House and is visible from Church Circle.