Small Business Owner Targets Smart Growth In Annapolis City Council Bid

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: Genevieve Torri

Elected Office Sought: Ward 1 of Annapolis City Council

Political Party: Democrat

Profession: Strategist/Consultant

Age On Election Day: 52

Website: https://genevievetorri.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Genevieve4Ward1

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I am running for Ward 1 Councilwoman because I want to help make Annapolis a safe and sustainable place for all residents, businesses, and visitors. I bring six years of service as Ward 1 Commissioner for the City of Annapolis' Art in Public Places Commission, including five consecutive years as its elected Chair. I managed budgets that ran surpluses, introduced legislation, and built working relationships with the city's directors and staff in Finance, Procurement, Community Outreach, Planning and Zoning, City Manager's office, Police, Fire, and Emergency Management. I also directed campaigns for Mayor Gavin Buckley, Delegate Dana Jones, and consulted on coordinated campaigns for Governor Wes Moore, Senator Sarah Elfreth, and State Senator Shaneka Henson. I am a neighbor, small business owner, and mother raising four children here, with the experience and perspective of an Annapolitian to deliver results.

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

City Dock Park must balance resiliency against flooding while preserving public access. I will advocate for a process rooted in community engagement that honors our maritime heritage while ensuring equitable access for residents who don’t own boats or homes with waterfront. The project should create a green space that strengthens both our resiliency and our sense of shared identity.

How will you address crime in Annapolis?

Public safety requires more than enforcement — it requires trust. I will support staffing, equipment, and training for police and fire, and expand youth and community programs that prevent crime before it happens. Housing stability, jobs, and community investment are part of keeping Annapolis safe.

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

I know housing challenges first-hand, having rented in Wards 5 and 8 before buying a home in Ward 1 in my 40s. Most first-time buyers in Annapolis are in their 40s, which highlights the lack of affordable options. I support zoning reforms for missing-middle housing, adaptive reuse of vacant commercial properties into homes, and modernization of public housing with dignity. Repurpose, Reuse, Revive — that’s how we strengthen community and keep families together.

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

Our history is central to Annapolis’ identity. I will ensure new development respects that history while addressing modern needs. I support adaptive reuse and smart growth strategies that provide affordable housing and business opportunities consistent with historic neighborhoods.

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

We cannot rely solely on property taxes to fund city services. I will look to models from other historic cities to diversify revenue — leveraging tourism, arts, and partnerships to sustain our economy and services. This approach ensures resiliency without burdening working families and our residents on fixed incomes.

What else should voters know about you and your platform?

I pledge to work so that the “o” in Annapolis stands for opportunity, not oppression. I am a small business owner, strategist, and mom of four. My motto is 'Be Better,' and I bring that to every project — from securing permanent funding for public art to increasing voter turnout in challenging times. I believe in respectful collaboration, transparency, and bold ideas that make Annapolis safer, stronger, and more inclusive.