Why I'm the Right Choice for Mayor

Like most kids, I dreamed about “what I’ll be when I grow up.” Me, I longed to play major league baseball.

As a teenager, I imagined becoming a judge. In college, I was swept up in environmental causes and majored in environmental engineering. Then I went to law school, focusing on how to protect the earth for future generations, and I practiced law for seven years.

Today, I’m running for Mayor of Annapolis ─ the right step at the right time. Why? I love Annapolis, I have the right skills, and I’m driven by a vision to ensure our historic city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

My wife, Marlene, now runs our hardware store, which we’ve owned since 2007, and our children are young adults. When I served on the City Council (2013-2017) I’d sometimes think, “If I were mayor, I’d do it this way.” I thrived on solving complex problems and was energized by working with other service-minded people. I realized I could apply my business skills, such as strategizing, budgeting, negotiating, and motivating employees, to city challenges. It took a few years to implement a succession plan for many many jobs and roles, and to wait until my kids were older, and by 2024, declaring my candidacy was the natural next step.

Annapolis faces major issues that demand steady leadership, such as:

•City Dock Project. Although work has begun on the resiliency aspects, we’re still awaiting a $33 million federal grant. Once that project is completed, work will move to resilience measures for Compromise Street and other projects.

•Choice Neighborhood Initiative. The $400 million project to overhaul Harbour House and Eastport Terrace into a mixed-use community is moving forward, despite funding obstacles. The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) recently selected a development team, and we must keep the momentum going. Meanwhile, U.S. HUD is warning of reductions or delays of payments to housing authorities across the county. At risk is HACA's monthly federal housing payment of $825,000.

As mayor, I will:

•Simplify permitting and parking, improve public safety, and foster a culture of customer service in city departments, so that when you call with a problem, the first response you hear is, "How can I help?”

•Lead strategic planning to establish clear, workable goals and keep city staff engaged and aligned with community priorities.

•Build a sustainable city prepared for climate challenges, with dependable transportation options for both residents and workers.

At this stage of life, hitting home runs for Annapolis matters far more than any major league career I once imagined. I’m ready to put my experience, energy, and vision to work for our city, and I ask you for your vote.

Warm regards,

Jared

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