LCV Endorse Candidates for Annapolis City Council

From Maryland League of Conservation Voters: Today, the Anne Arundel Chapter of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) announced its endorsement of five candidates running to serve as members of the Annapolis City Council. They are:

• Kurt Riegel – Ward 2
• Marc Rodriguez – Ward 5
• Shaneka Henson – Ward 6
• Rob Savidge – Ward 7
• Ross Arnett – Ward 8

“The candidates we have endorsed have demonstrated their ability to stand up for protecting the environment and providing the residents of Annapolis the quality of life they deserve,” said Marcia Verploegen Lewis, who headed the committee that conducted the endorsement process. “They are committed to cleaning up our waterways, conserving forestland and open space, and expanding greenways and bike lanes.”Today’s endorsements represent the first time that Maryland LCV has been engaged in City of Annapolis elections.

The Maryland LCV Anne Arundel Chapter has endorsed candidates and been active in county elections since it was established in 2010. The decisions were made based on responses to a questionnaire sent to every candidate who filed or publicly announced their candidacy by early June, personal interviews and discussions with leaders in the environmental community.“The increasing impact of climate change and development makes it all the more important that we have leaders at all levels of government willing to make environmental protection and sustainable growth a priority,” said Bob Gallagher, who co-chairs the Maryland LCV Anne Arundel County Chapter Steering Committee.

“The candidates we have endorsed share this commitment, and we’re going to roll up our sleeves and work hard to make sure they are elected.”Consistent with its practice in Anne Arundel County elections, the Anne Arundel Chapter have made endorsements only in those districts in which one or more candidates have shown commitment and leadership on conservation issues. The Chapter also expects to make an endorsement in the mayor’s race later this year. The primary election for both the council and mayoral contests will be held on Tuesday, September 19 with the general election to follow on Tuesday, November 7. A brief summary of the endorsed candidates and their environmental positions is below.

Overview of Maryland LCV Endorsed Candidates for Annapolis City Council:

Kurt Riegel – Ward 2

Kurt Riegel has a long track record of environmental leadership in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, serving as president of the Severn River Commission and as a member of the Annapolis Environmental Commission. He also teaches a graduate level course on environmental compliance management at the Johns Hopkins University. Kurt has been a vocal advocate for a wide range of conservation issues, including appropriate use of stormwater fees and “no net loss” of forestland. He is running for the Ward 2 council seat currently held by Alderman Frank Paone.

Marc Rodriguez – Ward 5

Marc Rodriquez is running for the Ward 5 seat currently held by retiring Alderman Jared Littman, with whom he worked closely on a wide range of environmental issues including the Forest Conservation Act and its “no let loss” provision. Marc also has helped members of the Latino community in the ward increase recycling, spearheading a neighborhood education effort that included in-person visits and door knockers with instructions in Spanish on how to dispose of waste in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Shaneka Henson – Ward 6

Shaneka Henson is a lifelong Annapolis resident who currently works as a practicing attorney with the state of Maryland. She also has worked for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and the YWCA. She is particularly interested in improving opportunities for the city’s younger residents, including strengthening after-school programs and expanding access to open space and affordable recreation. Shaneka is running for the Ward 6 seat currently held by Alderman Kenneth Kirby.

Rob Savidge – Ward 7

Rob Savidge, a project manager for stormwater infrastructure for Anne Arundel County, has a long history of leadership on environmental issues. He served as the sustainability coordinator for Annapolis, where he helped draft the city’s plan to mitigate the effects of sea level rise, flooding and other impacts of climate change. He was also a leading advocate for a stronger Forest Conservation Act, and his efforts helped secure passage of the law’s “no net loss” provision. Rob is running for the Ward 7 seat currently held by Alderman Ian Pfeiffer, who is retiring.

Ross Arnett – Ward 8

Since 2007, Ross Arnett has represented Ward 8 on the Annapolis City Council, where he has been a vocal leader on multiple environmental policies, including forest conservation, improved stormwater runoff systems and sustainable development. For many years, he has been deeply engaged in neighborhood issues, serving both as president and board member of the Eastport Civic Association. A retired senior executive who worked for more than three decades for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ross now manages a small health economics consulting firm.

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