Section: COL

Eric Hartley: Democrats' win is not a mandate

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Jerking a thumb over his shoulder to point at the assembled Democrats on stage Tuesday night, a local political operative offered a quick and blunt assessment: "That's (expletive) scary."

He was in a bad mood because his candidate had lost, but he was right. It is a little scary, even if you're a Democrat.

Eight people stood on the stage in a downtown hotel ballroom: Mayor-elect Josh Cohen and seven of the eight ...

Ninth Ward: Now that he's elected, will Cohen really bring about change?

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Perhaps it was due to the full moon, but three amazing things happened in Annapolis Tuesday night.

First, I found a parking spot next door to Annapolis Marriott Waterfront for Dave Cordle's party. Then I easily parked in front of the Loews Annapolis for Josh Cohen's party. At Chris Fox's party, the closest possible legal spot to The Sly Fox Pub was vacant and waiting for me.

Oh yeah, there also was an election.

D...

Psychology: Food cravings may be a sign of depression

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Erin wondered to herself why she was stuffing her kids' leftover Halloween candy into her mouth when she had been trying so hard to stay in shape. It was almost as if she had two different brains: one that knew the candy wasn't good for her and the other that kept putting it into her mouth.

Erin isn't alone with this conflict. Many adults struggle with carbohydrate cravings that urge them to try to satisfy some haunting hung...

City Hall: New mayor, council members to be sworn in Dec. 7

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The inauguration of the Annapolis Mayor and City Council will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, located at 801 Chase Street, Annapolis. Details regarding the ceremony, entertainment and reception will be announced shortly.

If you are a member of a local Girl Scout or Brownie troop, come join the 300 Tapestry Project and Chesapeake Children's Museum for Annapolis History Day on Saturday Nov. 7.

Eric Hartley: Listen to the Rev. Wright, then decide

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright was pastor to the future president of the United States for many years. He married Barack and Michelle Obama in 1992 and then became a figure in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Getting him to speak locally should be a coup. But instead, Wright's upcoming remarks at a county NAACP banquet in Glen Burnie later this month have inspired censorship's ugly cousin: the refusal to listen.

The controversy s...

The Watchdog: Local senior needs help facing bank

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ever want someone to growl on your behalf? From plowing to potholes, from sediment runoff to sewer blockages, The Watchdog wants to hear about your civic problem. She'll figure out which government agency is responsible, and follow up to see that it's handled satisfactorily.

Problem: A drafty bank

Mary McNamara, an 80-something Severna Park resident, said she feels overwhelmed by her ban...

Eric Hartley: Can Cordle bring 'one Annapolis'?

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00

At a brief campaign rally in a gym recently, Dave Cordle talked about the support he's getting from minorities.

"This campaign is not just about this color skin," he said, tapping his own arm, "or this socioeconomic (status)."

The event showed both the sincerity of Cordle's goal of "One Annapolis," a slogan he uses in his run for mayor, and the challenge of making it a reality.

While Cor...

Plain Speaking: If we ignore party politics, we might get real change in Annapolis

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00

Annapolis will elect a new mayor and City Council Tuesday. Although Annapolis is a relatively small city, its position as the state capital can make elections here more politically charged than would be normal for any other municipality of just 36,000 people.

When it comes to the races for mayor and City Council, partisan politics traditionally take a back seat to the more mundane needs of the citizenry. For the most part, folks are usu...

Eric Hartley: Cohen tries to stand on his own

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00

In Eastport, Josh Cohen is a minor celebrity. Passing drivers flag him down, people in their yards wave and many of those who answer their doors say, "Hi, Josh."

Though he remains popular in Ward 8, which he represented for five years as an alderman, he knows that even there his bid for mayor of Annapolis is no sure thing.

"A lot of people know me, like me, but they're like, 'I don't know, Josh,' &qu...

Relationship Maps: Listening is key to being effective

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00

Alexis was struggling with this committee assignment. She had some very clear ideas of her own about what they needed to be accomplishing, but she was having a tough time figuring out how to communicate with the committee effectively.

Her first effort had been to tell them at the very first meeting that she knew from past experience that the only way to get to their goal was to do X. This had been received not with gratitude for her exp...

City Hall: City recognized for being bike friendly

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00

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 Ellen Moyer.

"By using the league's suggestions as building blocks, we now have specific ways to improve cycling cond...

Ninth Ward: Want real change in Annapolis? Then vote for the best candidate

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00

This has been a difficult column to write because it is the last one before we elect our next mayor and council. Along with most voters and all the candidates, I too cannot wait for Election Day.

Observing and reporting is taking its toll as I talk, listen and write about it for hours each day. My family has stopped asking where I run off to every evening. I'm not even a candidate.

I have talked about this election with dozens...