First off top before I get too deep into this, let me say props to Paul Foer over at Capital Punishment for holding this thing down.  There were quite a few people there and suffice to say it was a great forum. 

The canidates, of course we are talking about the now vacant ward 2 alderman position, Karen Jennings of the Green Party, Fred Paone of the Republican Party, and Deb McKerrow of the Democractic Party. 

I must be honest here, while I do care about other parts of Annapolis (even though other parts of Annapolis dont’ care about Clay Street) my main point of interest was to gain some understanding as to where the canidates stood on crime on Clay.  Speaking of which at 9pm tonight there was an “entreprenuer” convention going on when I came home.   They were lined up and down from the corner of West Washington and Clay to the Church’s front steps.  Oh and of course they were in Mama San’s despicable take out place. 

Yessir, a convention of entreprenuers swapping ways to avoid the understaffed police department, techniques for moving product without ever actually holding the product, discussions about how they are going to spend their money in Annapolis Mall, and of course focusing on recruiting from within aka finding more younger kids in the neighborhood and influencing them to help them with their trade.  One hundred bucks is a lot of money for a 15 year old.  Yes, we have 15 year olds selling product back here, they are juvenilles employed by the elder street corner hustlers because they are minors and if they are caught holding the bag well, its not that big of a deal.   Come on Annapolis I know you watch The Wire.  I do to but, I get a new episode every day. 

So the crime problem.  That’s really what I care about.  Weems Creek’s watershed issues?  Parking?  Property taxes?  Nah, not interested.  Why?  Well first and foremost our ward is the home of 25% of the murders that have occured in Annapolis.  Both occured in the College Creek Terrace housing project that is located about a block and a half from my house.  So, lets start there shall we? 

My question to the canidates was:  What do you intend to do to help usher in a new era on Clay Street? 

Fred Paone, he’s got a heavy background in the State’s Attorneys office.  He is an attorney in town and he definitely had the most bravado.  He was up and about but, at times I questioned his substance.  He seemed to say a lot of the right things in terms of what is needed back here on Clay. 

Deb McKerrow, her resume is deep and she has had extensive dealings with the Clay Street public safety team.  She has been very involved in different community related activities as an organizer and a force in her own right.  She didn’t put on as grand a show as Fred did but, to her credit I think she was thinking she didn’t need to.

 Karen Jennings, has some fresh ideas, has visited Clay a few times already.  Seems to have a good energy about her and is interested in hearing more about what we are trying to get accomplished.  At her current place of employment as an environmental consultant she deals regularly as a go between when parties can’t agree.   This is certainly something that the police department, the mayors office, and the housing authority could certainly use some help with…

 So, there are I believe two more forums to come and of course the vote is on December 19th.   I’ll keep you posted. 

Popularity: 1% [?]

The event will be held in the  meeting room at the Taylor Ave Fire Station (620 Taylor–Enter at the upper level door) for Monday evening, December 3 from 7 to 9 pm.   The proposed format will be like this:Paul Foer from Annapolis Capital Punishment ( www.annapoliscapitalpunishment.blogspot.com ) will moderate and begin at 700pm. 

Each candidate will have a three minute introduction, at that point, audience members will have two minutes to pose on question, and candidates will have two minutes to respond

At about 0845, questions will stop and each candidate will have three minutes to make a closing statement

At about 0900 Paul will adjourn the meeting
COME ON DOWN!!!  This is important!!!  SPEAK UP OR BE SPOKEN FOR!!!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Get out and VOTE!!!  Speak up or be spoken for!!! Ward 2 (CLAY STREET and affiliates) is having an election for the Alderman position.  There are 3 canidates, take 5 minutes and make a difference this will be a very tight race your VOTE will DEFINITELY be counted!!!

Popularity: 3% [?]

United Methodist Church and the Old Fourth Ward Community Association present:

CHRISTMAS ON CLAY

Featuring:  A Nativity scene, Carrolling, Steppers, Laughter, Merriment, food, beverages, and peace. 
When:  Friday, December 14, 2007 from 6pm till???
Where: The corner of Clay and West Washington and inside the Stanton Center
Who: ANYBODY COME ON DOWN WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!!!

We will be doing a collection of any hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, clothing, that you don’t wear anymore or have never worn for that matter.  Farmers Almanac is calling for a tough winter and not everybody is going to be as well prepared for it so bring some gear you don’t need! 

Merry Christmas.  Yes it is that time of year again! 

Popularity: 3% [?]

WHAT: Community based Q and A with potential canidates
WHERE:  in the  meeting room at the Taylor Ave Fire Station (620 Taylor–Enter at the upper level door)
WHEN: Monday evening, December 3 from 7 to 9 pm. 

Popularity: 1% [?]