First, I would like to thank everyone who engaged in our most basic American tenets when it comes to our democratic process:  Exercising one's right to vote.

Second:  Local Elections Matter!  

As I have often said, if your trash is not picked up, or your street has not been snow-plowed, you don't call The White House, nor do you call the Governor's Office, nor, if you live in the City, do you call your County Executive.  You call your City of Annapolis Councilperson/Alderperson.  So again, voting in local elections really does matter!

Third, thank you to everyone who again, placed their faith in me, to continue to represent you on our Annapolis City Council, along with our Mayor Gavin Buckley.

Fourth, as I have indicated in every yearly letter/correspondence to you from me since 2014:  

"If you believe that I should be doing something that I am not—ways on how I can better serve you—then please feel free to let me know."    

Again, I appreciate your continued confidence in my leadership--in the primary election, capturing 69% of the vote (7 out of 10 voters approve); and in the general election, capturing 93% of the vote.

And I will continue to work hard on your behalf, and on behalf of all of our residents of our City of Annapolis.

Thank you.  And God Bless you all. 

Your servant leader, Rhonda Pindell Charles

COVID-19 COMMUNITY UPDATE

BGE WINTER READINESS TIPS

FREE TREES FROM THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS!

Limited Supply Left

The City of Annapolis is giving away trees for residents to plant in their yard. The City’s goal is to increase its urban tree canopy, which benefits residents by capturing  carbon, catching stormwater runoff, and reducing energy consumption and utility bills through proper placement of the trees. Plus, trees beautify the City, provide homes for wildlife, and  enhance property values. 

The initiative, called the “Community Canopy Program,” is a partnership between the City and the Arbor Day Foundation. Households may request up to four trees from a custom web portal (www.arborday.org/annapolis).

“We all need to do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Mayor Gavin Buckley. “This free tree program is a great way to do that and to get the entire community involved in the greening of Annapolis.” 

The program is only available to residents within Annapolis City limits. Trees are shipped directly and include Black Tupelo, Eastern Redbud (pictured above), Northern Red Oak (pictured above), Red Maple and American Sycamore. All of the trees are appropriate for USDA Zone 7, which includes the City of Annapolis (Zone 7b).

WATERSHED MOMENT

Rhonda talks with Katherine Arthur Joyce, who attended the Camp Parole Rosenwald School in this episode of Watershed Moments (2016).

DID YOU KNOW?

At the turn of the 20th century, Black America achieved what was undoubtedly one of the greatest educational feats in human history. After centuries of slavery, Black literacy rates skyrocketed from just 20 percent in 1870 to almost 70 percent in 1910. Even against the backdrop of enduring, legal discrimination against Blacks in the form of Jim Crow laws and enforced segregation, Black children excelled. 

If we did it then, why can’t we do it now? How could racism explain the failure of our schools today, when racism did not hold us back just 100 years ago? Read more at TheHill.com here.

Remember...

Rhonda’s Public Safety “Mantra”:

Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq. Alderwoman/Councilwoman, Ward 3, Annapolis, MD City Council AND Chair, Public Safety Standing Committee, Annapolis City Council--Police, Fire (including EMS/Paramedics), and the Office of Emergency Management

By law, the Public Safety Committee shall consider matters affecting public safety in the City. The Public Safety Committee shall review all proposed amendments to Title 11 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code. First and foremost: The public’s safety is paramount. Moreover, as this legal obligation relates to the community’s residents, businesses, and visitors, the public’s safety, including the public’s peace, morals, and welfare, is best assured when its residents are: 1 - healthy; 2 - informed (i.e., educated); 3 - meaningfully engaged in the enhancement of our professional and volunteer workforce; 4 - good money managers of their finances; 5 - residing in safe and affordable housing communities; 6 - mobile (i.e., easily able to access adequate and affordable transportation when needed); 7 - pursuing social, community, entertainment, the arts, historical, and recreational activities; 8 - as well as possibly choosing to enlighten themselves spiritually. Therefore, the Public Safety Committee is committed to working as “One Annapolis”—an Annapolis that values everyOne; and where "HEALTHY LIVING STARTS HERE.".

• City of Annapolis, Department of Planning & Zoning, Office of Economic Development, link for businesses: 

https://www.annapolis.gov/598/Economic-Development

• Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, link for businesses:

https://www.annearundelchamber.org