Coffee, Cyber Security Pro Running For City Council Wants Safety, Affordability

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Patch invited all candidates for Annapolis mayor and City Council to complete a candidate questionnaire. We are posting their responses verbatim before the primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

We will share all of our candidate profiles and election news at this link. More election information is posted here.

Name: Will Cunha

Elected Office Sought: Ward 8 Alderman

Political Party: Unaffiliated

Profession: Corporate Cybersecurity

Age On Election Day: 37

Website: https://www.willforeastport.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willforeastport

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I am running for Ward 8 Alderman because our community deserves a representative with a real-world perspective. I'm the only candidate who has started a small business in Eastport (Oscar’s Coffee), built a home in our community from the ground up, and survived a violent crime in our neighborhood. For better or worse, these experiences have given me a unique understanding of our shared opportunities, and challenges.

Throughout my campaign, I have continually focused on my desire to represent all members of Eastport, regardless of whether you rent or own, live on one side of Sixth Street or the other, or are a member of a specific party. By listening to all voices and offering practical, results-oriented solutions, I am focused on getting things done and improving the lives of all residents. The time for empty promises is over. The qualifications to hold public office start with a commitment to something larger than oneself, and it's time that becomes the norm, not the exception. This is not about me or a retirement hobby, it's about asking "why?" instead of accepting that it's "the way it is."

I may be young and have a day job, but like the 20 marathons I’ve run in my 37 years, I have the drive and determination to give this job the energy and passion it deserves. I will never give up on my belief in our collective ability to improve our community, and accomplish, not just dream about, what "could be" for the betterment of all of us.

How will you approach the planned construction of City Dock Park?

I completely agree with my neighbors that we must address the persistent flooding downtown. We face the same challenge in Eastport, where street-end parks and marinas flood during tidal shifts and storms. We must push the resiliency part of this project forward.

My main concern is the $33 million funding gap for the overall project that we're currently relying on the federal government to fill. For now, we have a major construction project downtown, a displaced Harbor Master's office, even less parking, an eyesore for residents and visitors, and open-ended questions about how we’re going to get the job done (or pay for it). We need to focus on what we can control and deliver on the resiliency portion of the project as soon as possible

How will you address crime in Annapolis?

As someone who has experienced crime firsthand in Eastport, I believe any crime in our neighborhood is unacceptable—it rattles our community to the core. A lack of hope and opportunity for our most vulnerable residents, combined with a need for more effective deterrence and enforcement, drives the crime our City experiences.

We have seen our neighbors in Baltimore drastically reduce crime across their city with a combination of community engagement, micro-zone policing, and strategic coordination across all levels of the community. The Violence Reduction Center (VRC) at the University of Maryland has seen similar success in cities like Boston, Knoxville, and Memphis, reducing violent and non-violent crime by as much as 30%. Both are great examples of how we can employ widely-adopted best practices to protect our residents and improve the quality of life for all of us. I am focused on a balanced approach, leveraging widely-adopted models of success for the current challenges we face.

How will you address affordable housing and public housing in Annapolis?

We must first distinguish between affordable housing and public housing. When talking about affordable housing, I think about the neighbor I met at Eastport-A-Rockin', a person worried about being forced out of their Eastport home because they can no longer afford the rising property taxes. Our city's property tax rate has increased a staggering 40% over the last 15 years - this combined with the ever increasing assessment value of our homes is unsustainable. It prevents people from moving in and drives out those who can no longer afford to stay.

In Ward 8, we live next to our neighbors at Eastport Terrace and Harbor House. The silence and blind eye our city has shown these residents is unacceptable. Their lack of a seat at the table has not only forced them to live in sub-par circumstances but has also led to a large class-action lawsuit the city must now navigate.

We must get our budget under control to prevent continually raising taxes that drive people out (or prevent people from coming in), while also ensuring we protect and can effectively provide for our most vulnerable residents.

How do you plan to balance development and historic preservation in the city?

Annapolis has a rich history rooted in diversity, community, and heritage. Whether you're looking down Main Street at the harbor or strolling through Eastport, we must preserve our city’s unique culture and history to ensure its relevance for the next century.

However, we must also look forward. We must address resiliency challenges downtown and along our waterfronts, and we must offer residents quality services that fit our current times. We can ensure our city remains relevant by offering safe and effective sidewalks and crosswalks that encourage alternative methods of travel, updating zoning laws to encourage more inclusive and sustainable living, and removing barriers to investing in our community by starting a local business. These actions will help us respect where we came from while building a future that serves everyone for many years to come.

How should Annapolis respond to the ongoing cuts to federal jobs and grants to local governments?

Helping our neighbors who have lost a job is different from responding to federal grant cuts. For those needing work, we must build a strong community that encourages everyone to micro-organize. Being a good neighbor means bringing over a warm dish or making a connection for someone looking for work. The city should work with local businesses to identify job openings and offer workshops on new skills or trades. We should also leverage State-level resources for our residents, increasing coordination across different levels of government.

On the grants front, we must manage our budget wisely and not spend every dollar we make. We need to build in safety nets and "rainy day funds" to prepare for the unexpected, just like we do with our own personal budgets. We must take control of our future by looking inward for the success and management of our city. This way, we can look our residents in the eye and tell them, "we will be OK," regardless of what is happening around us.

What else should voters know about you and your platform?

From day one, I have focused on ensuring all residents feel seen and heard. I am not running for Alderman as a victory lap or to advance a particular party’s interest. My focus and passion lie with my fellow residents—the ones who feel they don’t have a voice or that their challenges don’t matter. Our community’s strength and history are rooted in our collective ability to get things done for all of us, not just a few.

My candidacy will continue to listen first, speak when necessary, and focus on iterative, results-oriented solutions to improve my fellow neighbors’ lives. It's time we take back our streets, hold the city accountable, and enable every one of us to live here, move here, start a family here, and invest in our collective future. It’s time for a Fresh Perspective on City Council.