August 2007
Caring about your neighbor...
This and other issues...
A message from Sam
Being a good neighbor
National Night Out
Protecting diversity
Here's a thought...
Last week I was told by a friend that he looked out his front window and was surprised to see his neighbor outside cutting his grass. When my friend thanked him, his neighbor replied it was no bother, he just kept on going after his yard was cut.
Good neighbors are important in our day-to-day lives. They are also important on a larger scale as we work together to bring security to our neighborhoods.
It appears that crime is increasing throughout the United States, but the effects are especially felt right here at home. During the past several weeks there have been numerous assaults and home invasions.
I have been spending more and more time working alongside our Annapolis police officers, even riding along with them in their patrol cars at night. I want to better understand the needs and responsibilities of our police officers and to know how I may better assist them in performing their duties.
But while we depend upon our police to patrol and protect our streets, we must all be vigilant in reporting suspicious activity. If you notice inappropriate activity in your neighborhood don't hesitate! Phone 911 immediately!
If your community is not yet involved in Neighborhood Watch, I would encourage you to be so. You can get information about Neighborhood Watch by clicking here.
The program is a well organized, cohesive body of concerned and educated citizens. It teaches citizens techniques to reduce the risk of being victimized at home and in public. Neighborhood Watch trains citizens on the importance of recognizing suspicious activity in our communities and how to report it. Citizens are taught how to make their homes more secure and how to properly identify their personal property. And Neighborhood Watch allows us to get to know one another and our regular routines so that any out of the ordinary activity can be reported and investigated by law enforcement.
And join your neighbors and friends in National Night Out against crime on Tuesday, August 7th at the City Dock. Working together we can make a difference in protecting our city from criminal activity.
Upcoming City Council Meetings:
May 14th, 7:30 p.m., City Council Legislative Meeting
May 21st, 7:00 p.m., City Council Public Hearing
(The Thursday prior to each meeting agendas will be posted on the City of Annapolis website.)
Being a good neighbor is a good idea!
When you first moved into your home or apartment you certainly had optimistic hopes and dreams about living in Annapolis. You probably wondered what your new neighbors would be like, and you, of course, hoped that they would be nice and courteous.
Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself in evaluating your neighboring skills:
- Am I keeping my lawn mowed and trimmed at least once a week or at least on a consistent basis?
- Am I considerate about the level of noise created by my household that may be affecting others (e.g. TV, radio, musical instruments, parties and entertaining, etc)?
- Do I park my car(s) appropriately, not in front of mailboxes, driveways, and not extending over the sidewalk?
- Do I keep the exterior of my home in good condition?
- Is the trim on my home painted and in good shape?
- Is the garage door down when it is not in use?
- Are the trash cans and recycling containers out of view of the street or adjoining properties at all times, with the exception of scheduled pickup days, and do I utilize sturdy trash containers rather than plastic bags, so that litter does not blow all over the neighborhood?
One of the most frequent complaints we receive is that of pets. If you own a dog, it is important to take good care of it. Clean up after your dog on and off your property, including common areas and other homeowners' lawns.
It is always good to remember that not everyone feels comfortable around dogs. You should be sensitive to how other people approach you and your dog, and always keep your dog on a leash when on public property. Even on your own premises, you must not allow your dog to bark and howl habitually.Cat owners also have a responsibility to their neighbors in making sure their cat does not become a nuisance.
Being a good neighbor means many other things as well. Kindness shown to one another is a choice. A few ideas for reaching out that you may want to consider are:
- Plan a block party with your neighbors or organize a dinner club.
- Help the elderly, newcomers and the handicapped in your neighborhood, your school and in your church or synagogue.
- Offer to run errands.
- Invite someone to dinner, or organize a dinner club.
- Pick up litter along your street.
- Take a plate of cookies or a cake to someone.
- Offer to wash windows for the elderly.
- Spend some time with someone who is ill.
- Telephone someone who is lonely.
- Write to someone who's far away.
- Give flowers to brighten someone's day.
And always remember that it's fun to be happy! It's an attitude. It's easy to sit back and constantly complain, but happiness is often a choice we make. And it's contagious!
Practice being a good neighbor in your community and at home. Being patient, courteous and helpful, even when others are not, creates a happy community atmosphere and a peaceful life for you, your family and others.
National Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 7th!
Join hundreds of other Annapolitans in a National Night Out against crime! Neighborhoods throughout the City of Annapolis will join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for this 24th Annual National Night.
This event is scheduled from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, August 7th, at the Annapolis City Dock. Join your neighbors and police officers in making a public statement against crime in our community.
This year the National Night Out will demonstrate the vital importance of police/community partnerships and citizen involvement in helping to build a safer Annapolis. At this year's event, the City of Annapolis will display several vehicles that are being used by the City's first responders to keep our communities safe. These vehicles include a Mobile Incident Command Post, a Hazardous Materials Decontamination Vehicle, and robot and tools used by the Annapolis Fire Department bomb squad. This equipment allows Annapolis first responders to react more effectively and efficiently to emergency situtations.Keeping our community safe by improving our incident response capabilities is part of our City's commitment to our communities.
For more information about this National Night Out at the Annapolis City Dock, contact community services specialist Stacey Bolin at 410-268-9000 ext. 7331.
National Night Out will conclude with a concert by the U.S. Navy Band.
Protecting our differences
The Annapolis Human Relations Commission is a city board that seeks to ensure equal opportunity for all our citizens. Knowing how it works can help citizens fight back against the injustice of discrimination. The Commission can also help us to avoid discriminating against others.
What does the Human Relations Commission do?
The commission listens to citizen complaints related to discrimination in public accomodations, employment, housing and residential real estate, commercial real estate, financial lending, recreation or education.
Occasionally the commission will hold public hearings about the mistreatment of citizens in these matters. Members of the commission sometimes serve as mediators to resolve discriminatory actions. They also conduct public education programs, do surveys and issue reports. This commission makes recommendations to the mayor and City Council regarding legislation.
The commission investigates complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, physical or mental handicap, and sexual orientation.
If you feel you've been treated unjustly you can file a complaint?
Contact the commission at 410-263-7998 or via e-mail at HRCommission@annapolis.gov. The Complaints Committee will review your case and make recommendations to the commission.
How does the Commission handle your complaint?
If the commission determines that a complaint about discrimination may have merit, it will first try to resolve the problem through mediation in an attempt to find an agreement that satisfies both parties. If a satifactory settlement is not reached, the commission may refer your case to appropriate state or federal authorities. In housing cases, a public hearing may be held to determine whether the complaint has validity.
The Annapolis Human Relations Commission welcomes opportunities to meet with civic organizations, religious organizations and other groups to explore how it can better serve the citizens of Annapolis.
Annapolis firefighters put their best boot forward!
Mayor Ellen Moyer has officially proclaimed August as Fire Fighter Appreciation Month. We are honoring our firefighters for their service to our community and their efforts on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
August 10th - 12th, Annapolis firefighters will be "filling their boots" with dollars and change to benefit men, women and children who are living with neuromuscular illnesses. Our firefighters will be at major intersections in Annapolis, asking motorists to give generously to help fight these dreaded diseases.
The International Association of Firefighters has been the single largest sponsor of MDA for over 50 years. Last year the Annapolis Fire Department and IAFF Local #1926 raised more than $18,000 for MDA. Their goal this year is $25,000. Our gifts will support many local individuals and families living with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular illnesses.
Please take a moment to drop some cash into a boot when you see your Annapolis firefighters lifting their boots in the community. You can also mail a contribution. Make your check payable to MDA. Mail your gift to MDA and mail it to Annapolis IAFF Local 1926, 1790 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Through research and direct medical services MDA helps children and adults who are affected by more than 40 different illnesses. MDA receives no government funding and charges no fees to the individuals and families it serves.
Homes for foreign guests needed
The Maryland Sister States Program at the World Trade Center Institute is in need of home stay volunteers for several Belarussian guests from August 4-12. Homes are needed for both male and female guests. If you would like to volunteer or would simply like additional information about this need, contact Nina Bankova at 410-576-0022 ext 103 or request information via e-mail at nina@wtci.org.
Want to report a pothole or a street light that's out?
The Annapolis Department of Public Works is led by a very qualified staff. You can get information about how to report potholes. You can learn about the City's mosquito management program, get recycling hints, or find out about the many other services offered by the department by clicking here!
Now here's a thought!
"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." ~William Penn
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