McMillan in Annapolis
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                   Endorsement: Republican candidate better suited to face tough economic
                    times ahead.

                    Originally published November 1, 2001

                    THINGS HAVE changed in the past several months. Earlier, with the
                    economy in good shape, local government had to worry about spending
                    surpluses, not preventing deficits.

                    As the budget pictures become increasingly gloomy, this is a time to usher
                    in government leaders who are fiscal hawks and will balance the books.

                    In the race for Annapolis mayor, it has become clear that Republican
                    Alderman Herbert McMillan would do a better job of watching the
                    taxpayers' dollars than would his opponent, Democratic Alderman Ellen
                    O. Moyer.

                    The Sun, therefore, recommends Mr. McMillan for Annapolis mayor.

                    To be sure, Annapolis owes a lot to Ms. Moyer, 65, a former lobbyist for
                    the Maryland State Teachers Association and Annapolis first lady who
                    was married to former Mayor Pip Moyer. For the most part, she's been a
                    valuable member of the city council for 14 years. But the general election
                    campaign has proved that she doesn't quite measure up in many ways to
                    Mr. McMillan.

                    Mr. McMillan, 43, is a Naval Academy graduate and American Airlines
                    pilot who would keep his fulltime job while serving as mayor but says he
                    flies only six days a month. He's quick on his feet and hard-charging, and
                    has a strong personality. He would bring new energy to the mayor's seat -
                    a Republican image of former Mayor Dennis M. Callahan.

                    If Mr. McMillan points his personality in the right direction, he can move
                    the city forward in building its economic base while maintaining Annapolis'
                    unique historic character. He went the wrong way with his controversial
                    anti-drug-loitering law, which a federal judge struck down as
                    unconstitutional.

                    That issue is over. Now, Annapolitans must worry about parking and
                    transportation and about their pocketbooks. Mr. McMillan seems much
                    more capable of addressing those issues responsibly.

                    He appropriately criticized a proposed deal between the city and the
                    Navy that would have continued giving the Naval Academy a substantial
                    discount on sewer services. Engineering a more favorable deal for the city
                    would bring in revenue from his alma mater that the city is certain to need
                    during rough fiscal times.

                    Ms. Moyer, on the other hand, supports a drastically reduced rate for the
                    academy. Also disturbing is that she quit the council's finance committee in
                    1994 during a rough budget year. Her explanation that she was busy with
                    her fulltime job was a weak, unconvincing excuse for bailing out of a
                    difficult spot.

                    Mr. McMillan is well-qualified to be mayor of Annapolis, and he deserves
                    election on Tuesday.

                    Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun