Annapolis environmentalists need to step up in next county election
As Annapolis environmental voters bask in the warm light of their victory in last month’s city election, clouds gather on the horizon.
With a long list of accomplishments to his credit, Mayor Gavin Buckley won reelection with a historic margin. Seven of the eight successful candidates for the City Council had strong conservation credentials. With a green mayor supported by a large majority on the council, the upside for the environment should be limited only by our vision and funding. But, there are reasons for concern.
First, during the mayoral campaign, the normally vocal community of environmental activists was oddly quiet. Some say it was because of disagreement between the mayor and the activists over two issues: public water access at Wells Cove and enforcement efforts around sediment and erosion control violations at The Preserve at Quiet Waters. Indeed, the administration could have done better. But the failure of the environmental community to come out in support of a mayor with an unprecedentedly positive record on conservation suggests that the community needs to become better organized and strategic.
An example of effective organization of advocacy efforts may be found at the state level. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment is an informal collaboration of nearly 50 local, state and regional organizations. It includes not only explicitly environmental groups but beekeepers, birders, bikers, faith organizations and groups focused on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Annually, they agree that, while they continue to support their own objectives, they will lend support, for the common good, for a handful of priority issues before the General Assembly.
Second, possibly the biggest threat to the environment in Annapolis comes from outside the city — the 2022 elections in the county. County Executive Steuart Pittman ran a campaign based on managing runaway development. He has largely kept his promises, stopping projects that, had he lost, would have sailed through and dramatically improving others. That is in addition to an impressive catalog of other environmental accomplishments including an unprecedented level of cooperation with the city on resiliency, transport, forest conservation and other issues.
You will find the Maryland League of Conservation Voters Report Card on the performance of Pittman (grade A) and other council incumbents at: www.mdlcv. org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20211-AAC-Scorecard.pdf.
Pittman will face one of two opponents. Herb McMillan, a former delegate with a poor environmental report card, has run a campaign almost exclusively focused on cutting taxes and spending. A review of his blizzard of campaign screeds will yield fewer references to the environment than the number of brown and Black faces that appear in photos of his campaign events. When he does stray from taxes, he often parrots a rant of Tucker Carlson.
Councilwoman Jessica Haire (District 7, grade F), the other contender, is probably smarter than McMillan and definitely more subtle and more dangerous for the environment. She is accessible. She shows good understanding of conservation issues. She asks good questions and makes sympathetic comments when she knows that she will toe her party’s anti-environmental-protection line. For example, she led the effort to weaken forest conservation protections, the ban on Styrofoam containers and other protective measures.
On the County Council, Lisa Rodvien (District 6, grade A), the Annapolis representative, has been the standout leader on conservation issues. Many think of her as the conscience of the council. Allison Pickard (District 2, grade B) also deserves support. The reelection of Amanda Fiedler (District 5, grade D) and Nathan Volke (District 3, grade F) and three open seats (Districts 1, 4 and 7) will be problematic.
So, Annapolis environmental voters, don’t put your checkbooks away. Make your voices loud and clear. Please volunteer and contribute to those candidates at the county and state levels who align with your environmental values. We have come too far to go back now.