Friction Between New Annapolis Mayor And Council Alderman Resolved
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- What looked like a feud between the new mayor of Annapolis and a longtime council alderman has been resolved.
Pat Warren explains they've decided to let bygones be bygones.
A three-day long nail-biter. An absentee ballot count tipped the scales to make Mike Pantelides the first Republican mayor of Annapolis in 16 years. Democrat Alderman Ross Arnett immediately floated the idea of changing the charter to weaken the mayor's powers.
"I think it's an attempt to nullify the election. It's astounding to me that he would bring it up and create all this, unless there's a political agenda," said Ed Freetag and Ross Glover.
Show's over folks, declared the mayor and alderman Thursday.
"I think we all know there was a little glitch that came along at some point. And I just wanted to show the public that Ross and I have moved beyond it," said Mayor Pantelides.
"I want to thank the mayor for taking the high road on this," Alderman Arnett said. "This could have been a nasty scramble."
The Republican mayor is working with a 7-2 Democrat majority council. Any concerns? Anybody?
"No. We are talking amongst ourselves. We do not want to become like Washington. We're here for the good of the city of Annapolis," Arnett said.
Keeping in mind it was the previous administration's apparent misinterpretation of what was good for the city that put Pantelides in office in the first place.
"I met with the aldermen and they all care about Annapolis and we want what's best," said Pantelides.
"And the people have spoken," Arnett said.
The mayor has already met with House Speaker and Anne Arundel County Democrat Mike Busch about funding for the city of Annapolis in next year's session.
The first meeting of the newly elected Annapolis City Council is Dec. 9.
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