Campaigning For "ONE Caring ANNAPOLIS"

The City of Annapolis is grateful for the continued gathering of city officials, clergy and residents to keep calm in our city in lieu of the last 365 days of events. These concerned groups are showing up to make their presence known in the communities to clearly show care and concern for the recent negative events that shortened the lives of others. Annapolis’ Australian-American and Democratic Mayor, Gavin Buckley, announced a fitting theme to the cause of “ONE ANNAPOLIS.” Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, who’s also been a great support in organizing the groups to go into assigned communities, added the word “caring” to further relay to the community that the leadership of Annapolis cares. The initiative to go out into the communities was suggested by a well-known resident of Annapolis, Mr. Raynaldo “Deuce” Brown, a hard-working family man who also cares about his community.

Some residents were shy in coming out to join the activities. There were a few who spoke out about the incidents that took productive lives away from family, friends and our community. However, the residents witnessed that participants were praying and singing as they walked through certain strategic areas, talking with residents, and even praying for them personally. Both Friday events were effective, but it was noted that events for clothing and food giveaways were also taking place during the last couple of weeks. Participants have voiced favorable opinions about the need for the groups to be out in the communities as proof of care for families in the city. Though the leadership of Annapolis came out to show care, it is their desire to see the residents participate in higher numbers. The comradery between both officials and residents will magnify the idea of “ONE Caring ANNAPOLIS.”

Knowing that both sides of the spectrum see that safety within Annapolis and surrounding areas near the City of Annapolis is important. It must become the desired future for everyone living or working in Annapolis. How many times have we heard that the children are our future? The example that the community sets in the eyes of the children is a part of how they view their future. Are we causing them to see a corrupted city rather than a childhood place they never want to leave? Is it worth their while to stay and reform their city, or will they flee to far off colleges and military bases to escape the negative impact of a city they should be proud to call home? Adults may know in their heart of hearts what must be done for the City of Annapolis, but how important is that if those who are behind senseless killings are not truly reformed by something other than a 12-step program? They may spend a few years locked away from one society to surviving in another that they are often already very familiar with living in. Recidivism is so common that it is no longer a threat to offenders to spend those few years locked away. It’s a vacation to some of them. Not everything is political, but everything is connected to the spiritual needs of people whether we believe it or not. Until a person connects to their creator, it is unlikely they will connect to their neighbor in a serene way.

The cultural groups within the city should be able to agree on the importance of “ONE Caring ANNAPOLIS” for everyone’s sake, but especially for the children. Can we walk our city streets for fresh air and exercise? The area military groups run up and down the streets. Civilian joggers run up and down the streets. Everyone needs to stop for gas at some point and time but getting shot at the gas pump is not ideal in anyone’s life. The City of Annapolis must take up camp under the banner of “ONE Caring ANNAPOLIS” and let’s keep our city intact for the sake of our children’s children—the next generation.

FYI: the gatherings are taking place on Friday’s from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the communities of Annapolis Gardens, Admiral Oaks (Rev. and First Lady Sherrod of Second Baptist Church in Annapolis, Bishop Edna Commodore-Palmer of Community Church of Praise in Chesapeake Beach, Elder Anthony Burch of Holy Temple in Edgewater, Assistant Pastor Karen Tongue of Faith Community Church in Harwood); Clay and Northwest Streets (Rev. Jessica Sexton, Lay Speaker Deedee Rivers of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, and Serenity Sista’s Founder, Angel Traynor); Bay Ridge Gardens (Pastor Jerry Colbert of John Wesley UM Church); Woodside Gardens (Pastor Raleigh Medley, Minister Rita Dorsey-Washington of True Church of Christ for Sinners Only in Annapolis); Newtowne 20 (Elder Clifford E. Fields, Sr. of Beacon Light S.D.A. Church in Annapolis); The Morris Blum Senior Building (Deacon Corby Zeren of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis); and the Bywater Community (Pastor Karen V. Johnson, First Christian Community Church).

Other locations and clergy named includes Hillsmere- Eastport -Annapolis Neck Library (Pastor Willie First Lady Delores Bullock, Blessed in Tech Ministries/Second Chance of Life and Hope Church); Eastport Terrace/Harbor House (Bishop Craig Coates of Fresh Start Church and Pastor Steve Poole of Elevate Church); Rector Father Randy Callender, SCMC Member); Newtowne 20 and Woodside Gardens (Lay Speaker Laurie Nelson, Annapolis Evangelical Presbyterian Church); (Pastor Melanie Dixon and Associate Pastor Dale Maynard, Calvary Community Church of Riva); (Executive Director Mike Drummond, Arundel Lodge); Robinwood, (Assistant Pastor Chris, Chesapeake Christian Fellowship Church); (Pastor Brandon Gale and First Lady Dr. Amaris Watson Gale, Founder of PracKind (“Practice Kindness”); and Anne Arundel County National Pan-Hellenic Council (African American Greek Fraternities and Sororities).