Friends,
It’s a busy time, with lots happening across the city and on the campaign front. This month, I want to give you an update on some recent milestones and invite you to join me for some important events taking place over the next few weeks. These include:
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signing of the Resilience Authority Bill, a crucial step to ensuring Annapolis can meet the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels.
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the FY2022 Budget which was adopted by the Council last week and sees us maintain our strong financial position in spite of a difficult year.
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dedication of the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial on Monday June 28, three years since the attack on the Capital Gazette which took the lives of five beloved members of our community. The memorial honors them and the role of a free press in our society and our democracy.
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our July 4th Independence Day Celebrations - a three-day festival which will mark our ‘come back’ after a difficult year and show that once again, our city is open for business.
There's also lots of campaign news including the arrival of yard signs and new merchandise, as well as a number of upcoming campaign events. More details about all these milestones and happenings below. Thank you as always for your support!
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Resilience Authority Established |
On Wednesday June 17, I was proud to join County Executive Steuart Pittman as he signed the Resilience Authority Bill. This is the most recent milestone in the long process to establish the Authority - an idea that was born in and driven by Annapolis with the help and cooperation of our state and county partners.
The Resilience Authority will play a crucial role in helping us, and other local communities, meet environmental challenges. It will fund resiliency projects through initiatives such as public private partnerships, seeking grants, and issuing bonds. It's an essential step in progressing our City Dock renewal plan to protect Annapolis from rising sea levels and will help us meet other resiliency challenges without placing additional burdens on local taxpayers.
In other words the Resilience Authority will give us another tool in our tool box and makes us a leader in tackling sea level rise and climate change.
I’m proud our City is leading the way on this and very grateful to our county and state partners and everyone who has worked hard to get us to this point.
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Memorial Dedication Monday June 28 |
A new memorial, "Guardians of the First Amendment" will be dedicated at 11am on Monday 28 June. That day will mark three years since the attack on the Capital Gazette which took the lives of five beloved members of our community: Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, and John McNamara.
The memorial, located at the corner of Compromise Street at Newman Street, honors their lives and work and is designed around the theme, “Freedom of the Press.” It recognizes the role of a free press and the work of journalists in maintaining a healthy democracy.
The memorial and dedication have been organized by the Caucus of African American Leaders, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, the office of County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Mayor's office. Our community continues to process the grief of this tragedy and so I thank all the contributors for delivering on this memorial and providing a space for visitors to continue their healing journey and remember Wendi, Rob, Gerald, Rebecca and John.
We continue to hold their families, colleagues and friends in our hearts. Please join us on Monday to show your support for them and for our local newspaper, which provides such a vital service to our community. With the future of the Capital Gazette uncertain under its new owners, that support is more important than ever.
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Independence Day Weekend: July 2-4 |
Plans for our Annapolis Independence Day celebratory weekend continue to progress. This three-day festival will mark our ‘come back’ after a difficult year and show that once again, our city is open for business. It will celebrate our resilience and strength as a community, and honor health workers and those who stood at the front lines over the past 12 months. Please visit the City’s website for the updated schedule of events. I want to thank all of our partners and those working together to make this year's celebration a success. I hope you can join me in being part of this special celebration.
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Walk in the July 4th parade with Friends of Gavin Buckley!
See our events section below for details on how you can participate.
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City Budget Update
The City Council recently adopted the FY2022 budget. I was proud to deliver a budget that continues to provide essential services, makes progress on critical infrastructure projects, and provides support to residents without increasing the tax rate.
As I reported in April, Annapolis is in a strong financial position. Financial reforms and savings over the past three years allowed us to weather the Covid-19 pandemic and end the year with a surplus, despite a significant decrease in revenues. We carefully managed and reduced expenditure to live within our means, including reductions due to temporarily halting some City operations, such as the Truxtun pool, the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, day camps and recreation programs, bus transportation, parking enforcement, etc. We were also fortunate to receive federal CARES funding through Anne Arundel County to offset expenditure increases directly related to addressing Covid-19.
I'm pleased that as we resume normal operations, unduplicated appropriations in the FY2022 budget are $1.5 million less than in the FY2021 budget. We are committed to continuing to monitor our finances closely to ensure we live within our means and maintain our strong financial position
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New merchandise: Show your pride!
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Two new T-shirts have arrived. One features our popular sunburst logo and the other is a Pride Tee designed by eight-year-old resident Emerson Oliver, who believes that every Annapolis resident should be free to love whoever they want because LOVE IS LOVE! Emerson's tee is a great way to show your support for our LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month. |
A big thank you to Emerson Oliver, pictured above wearing the Pride t-shirt he designed to show the world that LOVE IS LOVE. |
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A 'Re-elect Gavin 2021' yard sign for your home or business is a great way to show your support. Signs can be collected from our West Street location or delivered to your door. Once we receive your order we will contact you to arrange your preferred option. |
Can you chip in to help re-elect Gavin?
Your donation, no matter how small, helps us keep working to spread the word so we can re-elect Gavin and continue to deliver a progressive, dynamic, and inclusive vision for our city.
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Or mail your check to:
Friends of Gavin Buckley
53 West Street, Second Floor
Annapolis MD 21401
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Join the Independence Day Parade!
Saturday, July 3: 9am-12pm
Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St, Annapolis
Be part of the July 4 parade by walking with the Friends of Gavin Buckley. It’s a great way to celebrate our re-opening and show your support for our Mayor who led us with vision, care and pragmatism through the pandemic. Gather at Maryland Hall 30 minutes prior to the start of the parade.
AMP Fundraiser
Wednesday, July 14: 5–7 PM
Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge
175 West Street Annapolis
Join us for an evening of music and light refreshments.
Please note the new date for this event.
Save the Dates:
Democrat Candidates w/ Mobilize Sign Waving
Saturday, July 17: 11am–1pm
Karen James Studio Open House
Sunday July 25: 6–8pm
65 Maryland Ave, Annapolis
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Meet & Greets
Meet & Greet events are hosted by members of our community, usually in their homes. They are an opportunity to meet and mingle with neighbors and hear directly from Gavin about progress and plans for Annapolis, and what he'll deliver in a second term as Mayor. RSVPs are not required, unless specifically noted.
Waldman Meet & Greet
Thursday, July 1: 5.30-7.30pm
1001 Poplar Ave, Annapolis
Hosts Bob and Patty Waldman welcome you to a relaxed gathering in their front yard to meet neighbors and hear directly from Gavin.
Scott Meet and Greet Event
Thursday, July 15: 6–8pm
308 Carriage Rd, Annapolis
Hosts Will and Siena Scott welcome you to their front porch!
Richards Meet & Greet
Friday, July 16: 5–7PM
104 Monticello Ave, Annapolis
Host Laura Richards welcomes you for happy hour cocktails and conversation and Gavin. RSVP required.
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