Moyer bests McMillan to become city's first
woman mayor
By JEFF HORSEMAN and KIMBERLY
MARSELAS, Staff Writers
For the first time in its 293-year
history, the city of Annapolis has
elected a woman as mayor.
Democrat Ellen O. Moyer captured six of eight City Council wards to
defeat Republican and fellow Alderman Herbert H. McMillan 55
percent to 45 percent in yesterday's general election. She won 4,102
votes to Mr. McMillan's 3,404 in an election marked by the lightest
voter turnout in more than a decade.
Ms. Moyer captured every ward but Ward 1, which covers downtown,
and Ward 5, Mr. McMillan's home turf. She did especially well in
Wards 3, 4 and 6 -- each with African-American majorities.
Ms. Moyer's victory means the City Council will have a female majority
for the first time, with Ward 3 newcomer Classie G. Hoyle joining
returning incumbents Louise Hammond, Cynthia A. Carter and Sheila
M. Tolliver.
The election also gave Democrats a 7-2 edge on the council.
Speaking at her victory party at Carrol's Creek Cafe in Eastport last
night, Ms. Moyer, 65, said she felt "relieved" to see her well-organized
campaign triumph.
"This last day is really a grueling day," she said. "You think, `God, I'm
gonna lose.' And you have all these wonderful volunteers, and you don't
want to disappoint them. That's the big anxiety."
In her speech to a jubilant audience that included County Executive
Janet S. Owens, the retired lobbyist for the Maryland State Teachers
Association reiterated her campaign theme of building partnerships.
"I want people to come together and look at how they can solve
problems," said Ms. Moyer, the city's first lady from 1965 to 1973 while
her ex-husband, Roger W. "Pip" Moyer, was mayor.
"If there's anyone out there who wants to come and help, I say let's do
it.... There are big challenges ahead, and we're going to deal with them."
For his part, Mr. McMillan, 43, was upbeat as he spoke to a crowd
gathered at his Hunt Meadow home.
"I've made so many new friends this year that I've never had," the
one-term alderman said. "We shouldn't have long faces ... I look at our
campaign and what I saw was a lot of people coming together all across
Annapolis ... We've done our very best ... We have conducted
ourselves honorably.
"If I can't win and maintain my integrity, then I don't want to win at
all.
We will next time."
His audience included outgoing Mayor Dean L. Johnson, the man Mr.
McMillan beat in the Sept. 11 GOP primary.
Mr. McMillan, a Naval Academy graduate and airline pilot, declined to
answer questions after his remarks. Instead, a dark sedan whisked him
to Eastport, where he congratulated Ms. Moyer.
"I respected that," she said. "Had I been on the other side, I would have
done the same thing."
Ms. Moyer's victory drew a warm reaction this morning from Gov.
Parris N. Glendening, who said he was a strong supporter of Ms.
Moyer "for many, many years."
"The bigger issue that's extraordinarily important -- especially in these
days of constant security concerns -- it's very important that the city
and
state work together," Mr. Glendening said.
He plans to sit down with Ms. Moyer to discuss how city and state
governments could work more closely together.
The governor planned to mention Ms. Moyer's victory, as well as that of
Democrat Jennifer Dougherty in the Frederick mayoral race, at a news
conference today celebrating the party's wins in the Virginia and New
Jersey gubernatorial races.
The results came in quickly following the polls' closure at 8 p.m. Ms.
Moyer arrived at 8:20 and the first precincts were listed around 8:25.
After the final results from Ward 2 were posted, the crowd began to
hoot and holler, as most realized that Mr. McMillan could not overcome
Ms. Moyer's early lead.
Last night's vote ended a sometimes bitter campaign between the two
City Council rivals.
Mr. McMillan repeatedly criticized Ms. Moyer's record, painting her as
a fiscally irresponsible member of a stale status quo standing in the way
of progress for ordinary residents.
Ms. Moyer, a 14-year council veteran who touted her role in creating
GreenScape and Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, chastised Mr.
McMillan as a divisive bully who would polarize Annapolis when it
needs to come together.
Last night's results are unofficial, pending a canvassing of the ballots
by
the Board of Supervisors of Election, which also must count absentee
ballots. The canvassing was to take place this afternoon.
The turnout for yesterday's election was 36 percent of the city's 20,000
registered voters. More voters turned out in 1997, 1993 and 1989.
About 40 percent of the electorate came out to vote four years ago,
roughly 50 percent turned out in 1993 and about 45 percent turned out
in 1989.
The new council takes office Dec. 3.
On Tuesday Ms. Moyer plans to announce the members of a series of
action teams to address issues that will be central to her administration.
The teams will make specific recommendations on Jan. 15 for:
Market House.
Parking and the shuttle bus system.
Security.
Housing.
Senior services.
Preventing violence.
Drug counseling.
Education.
The environment.
Fiscal concerns.
Published November 07, 2001, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2001 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.