The results of the Primary Election provided the Group with two worthy contenders for its endorsement for Mayor- Mr. Gavin Buckley ,the Democratic nominee and the present Republican Mayor Mike Pantelides..
However, Mr. Buckley provides a more encompassing vision for incorporating environmental concerns, including climate change, into all the City’s programs. His ability to work with others is evidenced by the fact that, as the owner of two restaurants, he led a successful effort to revitalize middle portion of the West Street corridor.
While Mayor Pantelides has had some environmental achievements), he more typically joins environmental campaigns in their latter stage rather than being an initiator of them as Mr. Buckley proposes to be. Also, during most of the Mayor’s term, the funds from the City’s stormwater fee was spent on staff and associated General Fund expenses rather than on the installation of restoration projects. Also, the Club’s view of Mr. Pantelides was tarnished by the Republican Party’s last- minute distribution of an attack flyer against Rob Savidge, one of the Group’s endorsed City Council candidates.
Mr. Buckley supports development if it is located in appropriate places and is of appropriate size, is compatible with neighboring areas, and its adverse impacts are minimized. He opposes the Providence Pont development proposed to be located on the Crystal Spring Farm site because it does not maintain the integrity of the forested area as is required by the City's Comprehensive Plan, would add additional traffic to the already congested Forested Drive, and would not minimize stormwater runoff
For Annapolis City Council, the Sierra Club has made the following endorsements:
Ward 2- Kurt Riegal
Ward 5 - Marc Rodriguez
Ward 6 - Shaneka Henson
Ward 7 -- Rob Savidge
Ward 8 - Ross Arnett
As was the case for the Mayoral candidates, these candidates were selected after reviewing the responses to questionnaires sent to all candidates and interviews with all who wanted to go through the Group’s endorsement process. All the City Council candidates chosen for endorsement showed knowledge of environmental issues, had a connection with their wards, and supported environmental protection efforts.