FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Annapolis, MD)

Media is invited to participate in the bus tour of city facilities, but must RSVP to Rhonda Wardlaw, RWardlaw@annapolis.gov.

Annapolis, MD (11-24-09) Eleven Annapolis businesses became the newest Environmental Stewards to receive city certification.

At the November 23rd City Council meeting, the businesses were applauded for incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into their business operations.

The Stewardship Certification Program awards best practice certificates to homes, restaurants, lodging establishments, auto repair shops, retail stores, and office buildings. This group of businesses represents the first of the hotel/hospitality, retail/office and automotive repair businesses.

The new businesses earning certification are:

Retail/Office

• Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau - 26 West St.
• The Clay Bakers - 151 Main St.
• K&B True Value - 912 Forest Dr.
• Mixed Greens - 48 Randall St.
• Vivo! - 6 Fleet St.

Auto

• Rich Morton Lincoln Mercury of Annapolis - 1013 West St.
• Scotty’s Automotive Service - 147 Gibralter Ave.

Hotel

• The Georgian House Bed and Breakfast - 170 Duke of Gloucester St.
• Loews Annapolis Hotel - 126 West St.
• The Peninsula House Bed and Breakfast - 11 Chester Ave.

Also, earning certification in the restaurant category is Atwater's Bakery in the Annapolis Market House.

In order to be certified, each business earned enough qualifying points from a comprehensive checklist of environmental best practices and passed a verification inspection.

For more information on the Stewardship Certification Program, contact Maria Broadbent, DNEP Environmental Program Coordinator at 410-263-7946. The Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Certification Program is a part of the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs’ Sustainable Annapolis initiative-a program to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and to protect and improve the environmental health of our neighborhoods and watersheds.

Annapolis, MD (11-23-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer is inviting all locals to view the final local art exhibition in City Hall. This last showing is artwork from the Mayor’s own collection, pieces she purchased through the years from local artists.

“I have been collecting the beautiful works from local artists my whole adult life,” said Mayor Moyer.  “It was difficult to decide what pieces to put in this show, but I think the artwork shows diversity, just like the artists and galleries in Annapolis.”

In all, there are about 40 pieces on display at 160 Duke of Gloucester though November 30th. 

Mayor Moyer began inviting local artists to use the lobby at City Hall as a place to showcase their work back in 2002.

Annapolis, MD (11-20-09) Mayor Ellen Moyer reaffirmed Annapolis' firm commitment to comply with President Obama's recent Executive Order regarding the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Mayor was joined by Environmental Protection Agency Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program Jeff Lape, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake & Coastal Watershed Services Director Jeff Horan and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Supervisor Leo Miranda along with members of the Annapolis Environmental Commission.

Mayor Moyer announced three initiatives directly related to the President’s Executive Order that control pollution flowing to the Chesapeake Bay and protects wildlife habitats in the region.

First is the reduction of impervious surfaces in the city.  This focuses on the creation of best practices for collection of stormwater in the Executive Order.  The city received $562,000 in stimulus money for this project. When completed, this impervious to previous surface will set the standard and create a model of what can be accomplished in a historic district as well as in a densely populated urban setting. 

The next Executive Order initiative highlights environmental research and monitoring of new innovative practices. Annapolis has Floating Islands, a project that has been in the Capital Budget for more than 2 years.

These “islands” have native grasses and a filtration system connected that cleans the water, improves wildlife habitat and beautifies a waterscape. The recycled plastic mesh provides a concentrated surface area for microbes to colonize and soak up nutrients from the water.   BlueWing Environmental Solutions & Technologies  is working with the city on this effort.

The third and final initiative announced today, measures the impact of climate change on the environment. It is a public/private partnership that offers tax-exempt, low-interest loans to property owners who install energy-efficient equipment. It is the Energy Zone Program, known as the EZ program. This creative program offers the low-interest loans to be tied to the properties, rather than the homeowners.

EVENT TO HIGHLIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS IN ANNAPOLIS

Dear Annapolitan,

This notice of an event follows the local newspaper column "City Hall" published on November 11, 2009, to invite all citizens to participate in a public forum to discuss management options for the City of Annapolis.

Date of the forum:  November 21, 2009

Time:  Registration @ 9:00 AM – coffee provided
Forum Begins @ 9:15 AM
Adjourn at Noon

Location:  The Council Chambers, City of Annapolis

On October 12, 2009, Alderman David Cordle introduced Charter Amendment NO.CA-08-09 to establish a City Manager form of government for Annapolis.  The issue of whether to create a City Manager form of government for Annapolis has long been debated in the city, has been actively promoted, recently, by a group of citizens, and will continue to be a public issue after the recent election.  To provide an opportunity for dialogue on the proposed charter amendment and other municipal management options, I invite you to a public forum on November 21, 2009.

Phil Favero, an independent facilitator, will lead the forum.  The agenda will include:

1. An overview of city management options in Maryland
2. Opportunities for citizens to: (a) identify criteria for choosing among the options; and (b) examine the CA-08-09 proposal
3. Responses and ideas from experts
4. A general discussion

Annapolis Police Department Re-Dedication

Annapolis Police Department Re-Dedication

Media Advisory

Annapolis, MD  (11-10-09)  In his first press conference since being elected, Mayor-Elect Josh Cohen announced today the leadership and members of his transition team.  Cohen stressed the bipartisan composition of the team which he described as an “Idea Team.” 

“It does not matter to me if an idea is ‘Democratic’ or “Republican,’” Cohen said.  “What matters is if the idea makes sense.  We are facing very challenging times, but I am confident that we can rise to meet those challenges if we pull together as one community.  I and the incoming council are looking to this Idea Team to provide workable, specific recommendations that will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our city government.”

Cohen named Zina Pierre and Greg Stiverson to co-chair the team. Pierre and Stiverson were fellow candidates for office during the recent election. Pierre was a Democratic candidate for Mayor and Stiverson was a Republican candidate for Ward Six Alderman.

The City of Annapolis Mayoral Transition 2009 has eight committees. Each of the eight incoming alderpersons will serve in an honorary capacity on one of the committees.  The committees are: Budget & Finance, Economic Development, Environment, Government Structure & Permitting, Housing & Community Services, Market House & City Dock, Public Safety, and Transportation & Parking.

The Idea Team is charged with presenting its report and recommendations to the new Mayor and City Council by January 11, 2010.
 
Idea Team Roster

The Co-Chairs and the chairs and members of each committee listed below:

Co-Chair Greg Stiverson is the former president of Envisioning Annapolis Foundation, president and CEO of Historic Annapolis Foundation, and current president of the Kunta-Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation.

Co-Chair Zina Pierre is the founding President and CEO of the Washington Linkage Group, Inc., a full service governmental relations and strategic consulting firm specializing in lobbying, advocacy, public relations, grant writing and international trade.

Budget & Finance
Chair: Maurice Tose founded TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) in 1987 and has served as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO since then. Prior to founding TCS, Mr. Tosé was the Director of Department of Defense Programs for Techmatics, Inc.
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Classie Hoyle
Tom Brandt
Debbie Gosselin
Shelly Lamar
Jennifer Monteith
Reza Jafari
Carl Snowden
Kathie Sulick

Economic Development
Chair: Chuck Walsh is a principal in Consensus Partners, which owns commercial real estate within the city. He also established Artwalk, a non-profit charitable corporation, which promotes and implements large scale public art throughout the Annapolis area.
Committee Members:
Alderman Fred Paone
Carole Alexander
Gloria Brown
Bob Burdon
Jan Cort
Connie DelSignore
Dick Franyo
Jenelle Murph
J. Jeremy Parks
Jessica Jordan Paret
Sarah Wilkerson

Environment
Chair: Chris Trumbauer has been the West/Rhode Riverkeeper since July 2008.  For nine years, he was a biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he coordinated a state-wide water quality monitoring program.
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson
Joel Dunn
Ted Gattino
Corinne Irwin
Karen Jennings
Zora Lathan
Suzanne Pogell
Kincey Potter
David Prosten
Kurt Riegel
Rob Schnabel

Government Structure & Permitting
Chair: Doug Smith is the President of the Ward One Resident's Association and Treasurer of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.  He has served as co-chair of Annapolitans for a Better Community and helped lead the recent petition drives for a Council-Manager form of government and for a Tax Cap.
Committee Members:
Alderman Ross Arnett
Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq.
Michael Fox
Mark Garrity
Vicki Lathom
Vince Leggett
Bob Libson
Michael Pachler
Molly Smith
Dinny White

Housing & Community Services
Chair: Sharon Brown has worked in the affordable housing field for 20 years in a variety of positions including as property manager, housing choice voucher specialist and counselor.  She has worked for both the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis as well as the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County (HCAAC).
Committee Members:
Alderman Kenny Kirby
Cynthia Carter       
Maria Casasco
Deneice Fisher
Armando Gonzalez
Melinda Hamilton
Devin Heritage
Kate Rollason
Rock Toews

Market House & City Dock
Chair: Judd Legum resides in Ward One and is an attorney in private practice in the city. Previously, Judd was the Research Director for the Center for American Progress, a leading public policy think tank in Washington, DC. He also served as Research Director for Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign.
Committee Members:
Alderman Dick Israel
Sandy Cohen
Chris Fox
Allan James
Michael Jackson
John “Bumper” Moyer
Jim Nolan
Pearse O’Doherty
Craig Purcell
Cathy Schultz
Craig Sewell

Public Safety
Chair: Alderman Dave Cordle has chaired the City Council’s standing committee on Public Safety for the past eight years.  Dave is the Chief Investigator of the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, where he began work in 1980. Dave is also the coordinator of the Witness Security Program which he created in 1995.
Committee Members:
Alderman Mat Silverman
Jennifer Adams
Antonio Brown
Bill Donoho
Lee Finney
Rev. Henry Green
Debbie Johnson
Jay Martin
Vic Pascoe

Transportation & Parking
Chair: Barbara Rasin Price was a founder and deputy director of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), a national non-profit Washington-based organization that advocates for improved public transportation services and provides technical assistance and training to transportation providers, states and local communities.
Committee Members:
Alderman Ian Pfeiffer
Paul Foer
Bill Herald
Dave Humphreys
Martha Mitchell
Shelley Row
Jerry South
Chance Walgran
Jim Wildey

Annapolis, MD (11-6-09) The Annapolis City Council will be asked to sign a letter requesting the FBI and the Maryland Attorney General's Office investigate the distribution of an election flyer (attached) as a hate crime.  The letter along with the introduction of both a charter amendment and a resolution come at the request of Ward 7 Alderman Sam Shropshire and will be presented to City Council at their November 9th meeting. The resolution will be asking for an immediate hearing on the matter before the Annapolis Election Board and the charter amendment will seek to change the City Charter to include hate crimes as "illegal" consistent with the City Code.  The flyer was distributed by hand as well as on the internet Tuesday,November 3rd, the day of the Annapolis General Election.

“Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” Planting Project Underway

Annapolis, MD (11-2-09) Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer, Anne Arundel County School Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, and West Annapolis Elementary School Principal Christine Stockett all got down and dirty, planting acorns with local students. 

(Pictured: DNR Secretary John Griffin and Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer, interact with WAES students.)

Today’s event is part of an on-going series of plantings across the city, helping to reach the agreed goal with DNR by 2036, creating a 50% tree canopy in the city.  Annapolis’ current tree canopy is at 42%, one of the largest for an urban community of this size. 

“Through numerous events this year alone, Annapolis residents have helped to plant more than 1,500 trees,” said Mayor Moyer. “City programs have assisted in approximately 12,500 additional trees being planted during this Administration. Opportunities like today are an excellent way to help our youth understand the importance of our tree canopy, while creating future stewards of our environment.” 

The City of Annapolis is providing one pound of acorns from the DNR nursery to each of the six schools participating.

"It's great to see Maryland students out enjoying nature with their teachers, learning the value of stewardship," said Secretary John Griffin. "Planting a tree is something every Marylander can do to help create a smarter, greener future."

In all, six schools participated in the “mighty oaks from little acorns grow” planting project.

"The education that we provide our children about the environment is, in many ways, every bit as important as the core academic subjects we stress in our classrooms every day," schools Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said. "Projects like this one reinforce at an early age the responsibility every one of us has to be good stewards of our planet."

The Schools involved include: Hillsmere Elementary School, Georgetown East Elementary School, Rolling Knolls Elementary School, Annapolis Elementary School, Eastport Elementary School and West Annapolis Elementary School.

Any other schools interested in the project can contact the city at 410-263-7997.

Ceremonial Acorn Planting at West Annapolis Elementary School

Media Advisory

Annapolis, MD (10-22-09) Mayor Ellen Moyer announced today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Annapolis with an Honorable Mention for being a Bicycle Friendly Community.

“We will continue to strive to be nationally recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community, but this process allowed us to weigh our successes and find our weaknesses,” said Mayor Moyer. “By using the League’s suggestions as building blocks, we now have specific ways to improve cycling conditions in Annapolis.”

The city received an Honorable Mention for:

• Installing bike racks at all city properties and on most of our busses and trolleys;
• Actively promoting bicycle safety and educational programs through the Annapolis Police Bicycle Unit and our Recreation & Parks Department;
• Hosting an annual Bike to Work Day and Eco Tour rides, promoting bicycling as a safe & fun alternative to automobiles;
• Initiating a very popular Bike Loaner Program; and
• Providing a bicycle map that is also available on its website.

The information can be viewed at www.bikeleague.org and look under Features.

Annapolis, MD (10-22-09) – Mayor Ellen Moyer and the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs (DNEP) are proud to announce the Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Certification Program for Automotive Establishments, the only known municipal certification verification program of its kind.

The Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Program is a free program designed to teach managers and staff how to make their business more environmentally friendly.  Under this program, auto repair, sales, service stations, and car washes earn points from a checklist of categories including: water pollution prevention & conservation, spill prevention, and storage of scrap metal, tires, and car batteries. Participants will be given credit for using low toxicity chemicals, recycling and reusing those chemicals if possible, and making safety a priority.

A minimum of 110 points must be earned to qualify for the initial two-year certification. Certified businesses will be given web-site recognition, a certificate, and a decal to display to let customers know about their environmental efforts.

Other Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Programs previously released include Restaurants, Retail & Office, Lodging & Hospitality, and Households. For more information, contact Maria Broadbent, Environmental Program Coordinator at 410-263-7946.

To learn more about the program, download the checklist, by visiting: www.SustainableAnnapolis.com.   The Environmental Stewardship Certification Program is a project partnership between the City of Annapolis, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

City Dock Will be Home to the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges24 World Championship

Annapolis, MD (10-19-09) – Mayor Ellen Moyer, Eastport Yacht Club Commodore Sharon Hadsell and Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis General Manager Paul LaRochelle made it official today by signing a lease, bringing the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges24 World Championship to City Dock.

 From left: Chair of Melges 24 Liz Filter, Mayor Ellen Moyer, Eastport Yacht Club Commodore Sharon Hadsell, Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis General Manager Paul LaRochelle and Annapolis Yacht Club Commodore Peter J.D. Gordon

“Not only will this world class regatta bring the “Who’s Who” of the sailing world to City Dock, but it will also create an amazing opportunity for our youth as they meet Olympic medalists and America’s Cup competitors, true role models in this profession,” said Mayor Moyer.

 The Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis Melges24 World Championship will begin October 25th and conclude on October 31st; however race crews and supporters will arrive in Annapolis on October 23rd.  More than 50 boats will compete for prizes and in addition to income generated from restaurants, retail and hotels, race organizers say the event will contribute more than $500,000 to the local economy. 

“The Eastport Yacht Club is internationally known for its high visibility racing, philanthropic and social events,” said Commodore Sharon Hadsell. “This is one more opportunity to partner with the city and showcase our pride in the citizens of Annapolis and the maritime industry.”

The Melges24 is considered the fastest-growing class of high performance yachts.  The swift and challenging boat requires its crew to possess athleticism, top fitness, keen tactical skill and the ability to read the wind and water. 

“Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is proud to be this year's title sponsor of the 2009 Melges World Championship, said General Manager Paul LaRochelle.  “We look forward to providing an exciting partnership between sailings elite competitors from around world with the Baltimore/Annapolis area's only Elite of Lexus dealership!” 

From left: Mayor Ellen Moyer, Eastport Yacht Club Commodore Sharon Hadsell, Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis General Manager Paul LaRochelle, Chair of Melges 24 Championship Race Event Liz Filter, and Annapolis Yacht Club Commodore Peter J.D. Gordon

Annapolis is 1 of 20 “Picture-Perfect Towns”

Annapolis, MD (10-19-09) The City of Annapolis was selected by Forbes Traveler Magazine as one of America’s prettiest towns for the 2nd year in a row.

In its October issue, Greg Melville, co-author of 101 Best Outdoor Towns writes that "Annapolis is somehow able to maintain ties to its historic colonial and maritime past without seeming hokey," adding, it is "perhaps the East's most romantic town."

Greg Melville explains the criteria he used in making his choices: “Each of these places is among the most picturesque (in the country)—whether it's the natural surroundings, the architecture, or more likely a combination of the two.”

For a complete list of prettiest towns, type in http://www.forbestraveler.com/ and click on America’s Prettiest Towns.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Rhonda Wardlaw
Public Information Officer
City Of Annapolis
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Office - 410-263-1183
Cell -   410-562-8970

Annapolis, MD (10-1-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer presented the last in a series of the Green Star Awards last night.  The award showcases and thanks local residents, groups and businesses that achieve the highest standard of environmental best practices in the city.

The award recipients include residents, restaurants, business owners, schools, organizations and corporations. Even a local music group was honored.

“There are countless ways to make a difference in our community,” said Mayor Moyer.  “Each one of us has the opportunity to make the city a better place to live by recycling, planting a tree or garden, or sharing our green message through song and advocacy.  Without the commitment of our citizens, this city would not be the leader on environmental issues we are today.”

The following received the Green Star Award, which was a project started by Mayor Moyer in 2002.

• Green Restaurant - Rockfish
• Green Marina - Port Annapolis
• Green Networking - Green Drinks
• Green Gardens - Garden Girls
• Green City Project - Annapolis City Dock - Department of Public Works
• Green City Program - Energy Efficiency -  DNEP
• Green City Employee - Andy Costello - Recreation & Parks
• Green Fundraiser - Dick Franyo
• Green Ambassadors - Them Eastport Oyster Boys
• Green Volunteers - Chesapeake Ecology Center at the Adams Academy
• Green School - Mills Parole or Bates Middle School
• Green Champion - GreenScape Chairman Jimmy Martin
• Green Neighborhood - Presidents Hill
• Green Public Service - Baltimore Gas Electric
• Green Commission – Annapolis Environmental Commission