New Annapolis mayor struggles in first months on job
By Pamela Wood, The Baltimore Sun | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Governing has been even tougher.
In the five months since his 59-vote victory, Pantelides has dodged an effort to cut his powers, fired several staff members and accepted resignations from several more. He's faced complaints about a lack of diversity in
On top of that, the mayor's cousin has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, and questions of propriety were raised when the acting city attorney met with the accused at the
The 30-year-old mayor has faced the sharpest barbs over a budget proposal that cuts positions and furloughs employees -- a plan Alderman
The upheaval has some residents feeling the town is rudderless, says
"There have been so many high-level changes that the city is operating without support and direction," DeStefano said.
For his part, Pantelides is taking the criticism in stride. "There hasn't been a big screw-up I regret," he said.
When Pantelides -- a newcomer to politics who previously worked in sales -- defeated incumbent Democrat
On the campaign trail, he promised to cut government spending, reduce water bills and curb new development, drawing a contrast to Cohen, who advocated redevelopment along the
Critics have included members of the African-American community, including a prominent minister and a former alderwoman who say the mayor has made no effort to improve diversity in key positions. They point to departures of African-Americans from city staff: former City Attorney
"I've seen mayors come and go, and what I've learned is the mayors with no elected experience ... are the ones who have the toughest time adjusting to political realities," said
Pantelides says he's forced out several white employees, too, and notes that he has hired several women and a Hispanic liaison in his office.
"They're speaking of African-American diversity, not diversity as a whole," Pantelides said of critics.
The challenges were to be expected for a Republican mayor with a majority-Democratic council, some observers point out. "He was going to struggle given the composition of the council. He's not a magician," said
"He's going to have to walk on eggshells, because Democrats see him as a star of the
But critics suggest some of Pantelides' woes are of his own making. During a council session where diversity was being discussed, Democratic Alderman
"It's between
Arnett, for his part, says simply, "Out of inexperience, he's just made decisions way too quickly."
Pantelides has struggled winning support for his choice for city attorney,
When Pantelides brought Murnane's confirmation to the council in December, aldermen postponed a vote, raising questions about his experience.
Murnane's fate may have become murkier after the arrest last month of the mayor's cousin,
Pantelides insists Murnane wasn't there on city business.
"He was not Savvas' attorney, never had been and never will be," the mayor said, though he acknowledged: "Some people may have a bad perception. Looking in retrospect, he probably shouldn't have gone down there."
The lack of department heads also is troubling to some. DeStefano, whose Murray Hill neighborhood has been fighting a proposed
"We need someone with experience in that position as soon as possible," DeStefano said.
The budget proposal, calling for layoffs of 13 employees, eliminating open positions and furloughs for remaining city workers, has also come under fire. The council ultimately must approve the budget. Furloughs would require union approval.
Blake said union members will offer the mayor alternative suggestions for cost-cutting. But he said they won't revisit their contract signed last year after 15 months of bargaining. The mayor's proposed layoffs range from lower-paid equipment operators to high-level planners and a deputy director of emergency management.
Pantelides said he understands unions want to preserve jobs. But he says few understand the city's financial troubles, including increases in costs for employee health insurance, workers' compensation claims, previously negotiated pay raises and paying off debt.
Still, Kirby, a Democrat, says he wonders who is advising the mayor. "At some point, he's got to realize they're not doing a very good job so far," he said.
Pantelides has little ammunition to sway the nine-member council. The
"One of the things they have to learn is how to count to five," Snowden said of new mayors. "In order to get anything accomplished, you need five votes in the city."
Pantelides touts a small victory: A temporary reduction in parking meter rates in the winter, from
And he's trying to improve relations with African-American leaders. He met this week with representatives from the local
Democratic Alderman
"I think he is working hard to do the best job that he can," Littmann said. "I hope to help him be successful. It's in everybody's best interest for him to be a successful mayor, regardless of his party affiliation."
"I am very hopeful that all of the parties involved can reach a level of understanding where progress can be made," she said.
Since Mayor
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