Annapolis Ward One Residents Association

Annapolis Ward One Residents Association The Annapolis Ward One Residents Association (WORA) is a voluntary, nonprofit neighborhood association dedicated to keeping our members informed and engaged about living in the heart of Annapolis. JOIN US: https://www.wardone.org/join-wora

The Ward One Association is a non-partisan, volunteer organization and 501c4 representing the people who live in or own businesses in Annapolis. WORA’S mission is to promote a strong community that encourages long-term residency, improves our quality of life, preserves the historic nature of our unique neighborhoods, and supports a diverse commercial district that serves the needs of residents. Th


is includes the downtown and uptown commercial areas and the residential neighborhoods of the Historic District, Murray Hill, Spa View Heights, Presidents Hill, Truxtun Heights and Bloomsbury Square. Membership is open to residents, property owners, renters and business owners who care about the future of our historic city. Become a Member: https://wardone.org/join-renew/

Board of Directors:
Craig Harrison - President
John Fluhart - Vice President
Rob Beguelin - Secretary
Jeff Tober - Treasurer

Board Members:
Bill Bray
Jonathon Freye
Charlie Szold
Sandy Scott
Rick Lober

The Board's primary focus heading into 2022 is:

* Replacement of the Hillman Parking Garage and the impact to residents
* Protecting and enhancing residential quality of life issues
* Increasing community awareness and interaction
* Building WORA membership and participation
is includes the downtown and uptown commercial areas and the residential neighborhoods of the Historic District, Murray Hill, Spa View Heights, Presidents Hill, Truxtun Heights and Bloomsbury Square. Membership is open to residents, property owners, renters and business owners who care about the future of our historic city. Become a Member: https://wardone.org/join-renew/

Board of Directors:
Rick Lober - President
Craig Harrison - Vice President
Paige Ferguson - Secretary
Marty Etzel - Treasurer

Board Members:
Mark Mhley
JD Derdarian
Carolyn Patenude
Stacy Hennessey
Norm Lerner

The Board's primary focus heading into 2022 is:

* Replacement of the Hillman Parking Garage and the impact to residents
* Protecting and enhancing residential quality of life issues
* Increasing community awareness and interaction
* Building WORA membership and participation

Let's get in the community booster spirit!! 🏈 Here is a great way to help some good local kids. Food, beer, wine, sodas ...
08/05/2026

Let's get in the community booster spirit!! 🏈 Here is a great way to help some good local kids. Food, beer, wine, sodas ... and a fun evening supporting a good cause.

PHOTO OF THE DAY. Red Bean, 220 Main Street. "We need to support our local coffee shops, not the big national chains. Th...
08/04/2026

PHOTO OF THE DAY. Red Bean, 220 Main Street. "We need to support our local coffee shops, not the big national chains. This is one of the locals. Ice cream, too."

August theme: Send us a photo of your favorite Ward One business or restaurant (and a line or two about why you like it). We’ll include your description in the post.

Dear Ward One Neighbors,One month ago, you elected a new Board of Directors to lead WORA. During our first month, we've ...
08/03/2026

Dear Ward One Neighbors,

One month ago, you elected a new Board of Directors to lead WORA. During our first month, we've focused on building a stronger, more responsive organization that informs, engages, and advocates for Ward One residents.

In just a few weeks, we've organized our committees, expanded communications, begun developing a new website, increased our monitoring of City government, and started planning exciting social events that will bring neighbors together. We're especially encouraged by the strong response to our expanded communications, demonstrating that residents want to stay informed and engaged.

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

* Advocacy Committee — Sharon Kennedy & John Richards
* Communications Committee — Ron Gunzburger
* Finance Committee — Michael Sullivan & Thomas Berger
* Member Services Committee — Bill Bray & Anna Boehk
* Social Committee — Sandy Scott

Interested in volunteering? We'd love to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.

UPCOMING EVENT

Community Forum: Proposed "Zoning Unlocked" Initiative
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
6:15 PM **NOTE CHANGE OF TIME**
Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library
1410 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland

Join WORA as Eric Leshinsky, the City of Annapolis' Chief of Comprehensive Planning, explains the City's proposed "Zoning Unlocked" initiative, and answers questions from Ward One residents.

This educational forum is an opportunity to better understand the proposal and its potential impact on our neighborhood. We encourage all Ward One residents to attend.

LOOKING AHEAD

Thank you for your confidence and support during our first month. Together, we're building an organization that will inform, engage, and advocate for Ward One residents for years to come.

I look forward to seeing many of you on August 18.

Tom Krieck
President
Annapolis Ward One Residents Association

PHOTO OF THE DAY. Picante Cocina Mexicana, 48 West Street. "Family run, and a great place for family meals. Good food an...
08/02/2026

PHOTO OF THE DAY. Picante Cocina Mexicana, 48 West Street. "Family run, and a great place for family meals. Good food and nice service."

August theme: Send us a photo of your favorite Ward One businesses and restaurants (and a line or two about why you like it). We’ll include your line in the post.

07/30/2026

Parking Rate Increases Require Accountability

The Ward One Residents Association (WORA) recognizes that parking fees may need to increase over time. Our concern is not the increase itself—it is whether residents were given the facts needed to understand and support the decision.

After the City Council approved the rate increase, Ward One's Alderman stated it was necessary because maintenance and operating costs had risen. If that is the case, the City should be able to demonstrate those costs with publicly available financial data.

Based on the information currently available, WORA has not seen evidence that clearly supports that claim. Likewise, the Mayor stated that delaying the increase would have cost the City approximately $62,000 in revenue. Residents deserve to know how those additional funds will be used to improve parking services.

Throughout the Council's consideration of this proposal, Ward One residents consistently asked to see the financial justification for the increase and to understand how the additional revenue would benefit the community. Those are reasonable questions from the taxpayers who fund city government.

Parking decisions more directly affect Ward One residents than residents in other wards. We live in the Historic District, support local businesses, welcome visitors, and rely on the City's parking system every day.

WORA appreciates Alderwoman Karma O'Neill's effort to obtain additional information before approving higher fees. We believe Ward One residents would have been better served had our alderman and others joined that request before supporting the increase.

Ultimately, this issue is about trust. When government explains its decisions with facts and data, residents are far more likely to support them. WORA supports
investments that improve Annapolis. We simply ask that decisions affecting residents be supported by clear evidence, open communication, and accountability.

Good government is built on informed citizens.

PHOTO OF THE DAY. One more shot of John Hammond's vintage firetruck and a flag. This is WORA board member Sandy Scott an...
07/29/2026

PHOTO OF THE DAY. One more shot of John Hammond's vintage firetruck and a flag. This is WORA board member Sandy Scott and family enjoying climbing on the truck during one of John's loops around downtown on July 4th.

Credit: Sandy Scott.

July theme: Send us your photos of anything Annapolis, so long as there is a flag somewhere in the shot.

**NOTE TIME CHANGE: NOW AT 6:15 PM**WORA wants to empower Ward One residents with accurate information about issues affe...
07/27/2026

**NOTE TIME CHANGE: NOW AT 6:15 PM**
WORA wants to empower Ward One residents with accurate information about issues affecting our community. To that end, we invited the City of Annapolis Planning Department to explain its “Zoning Unlocked” initiative, and answer questions from residents. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to better understand their proposal. Please join us on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:15 pm, at the Busch Annapolis Library on West Street.

Our weekly update on what’s happening at City Hall…
07/26/2026

Our weekly update on what’s happening at City Hall…

PHOTO THEME FOR NEXT MONTH: In August our daily photos will feature YOUR favorite Ward One businesses and restaurants. A...
07/25/2026

PHOTO THEME FOR NEXT MONTH: In August our daily photos will feature YOUR favorite Ward One businesses and restaurants. A great way to share photos of Ward One … focus on local … and help promote some great small businesses. Message us here on Facebook with your photo and a line or two about why you like the business. We’ll include your line in the post.

PHOTO OF THE DAY. A hazy (smoky) day on the water, with downtown in the background.Credit: Harry HuntleyJuly theme: Send...
07/25/2026

PHOTO OF THE DAY. A hazy (smoky) day on the water, with downtown in the background.

Credit: Harry Huntley

July theme: Send us your photos of anything Annapolis, so long as there is a flag somewhere in the shot.

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Annapolis, MD
21404

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