09/13/2017
Write up after Interview with Action Annapolis.
Ward 8, John “Bumper” Moyer (D)---Challenger to incumbent Ross Arenett (D)
Moyer is a familiar name to all Annapolitans since two have been mayors, Roger “Pip” Moyer (mayor from l965-1973) and Ellen Moyer, his wife (mayor from 2001-2009). Their son, John “Bumper” Moyer wants to continue the tradition of community service by representing Ward 8 as Alderman. He is challenging Ross Arnett who has been Alderman since 2007. Moyer was born and educated in Annapolis attending public and private schools. He lives in Eastport with his wife and two children ages 8 and 10. He has been interested in comic books since high school and has a business in Glen Burnie where he sells comic books.
Because of Moyer’s close connection to the workings of city government, he feels he has great insight into how to get his agenda enacted. He understands the importance of working with other council members and that no legislation can pass without five votes. From his father he learned that constituents’ trust in their representative is critical as well as making sure that voters understand that they are important. His mother has a vast store of knowledge which she drew on in making her decisions. She was not afraid to take positions on issues so that voters knew where she stood. From both parents Moyer learned that being of service to the community is important.
Moyer wants to involve citizens in government. He would sit down with people, listen to their concerns and invite them to contribute to solving the issues. He wa inspired by the Women’s March, which, he believes, has energized people to be involved and which has affectws his decision to run for alderman.
Some of the issues which he would like to work on include the environment, comprehensive plan, quality of life and growth within the city. He feels that revisions to the comprehensive plan should occur more frequently than once every ten years because technology is changing so rapidly that innovations need to be incorporated in the planning. Changes could also include responses to growth in the city which affects quality of life for all residents. He acknowledges the complexities of managing growth since there is a need for housing, jobs and tax revenues. He hasn’t figured out how to balance these competing needs but wants to work with the community on a solution.
Moyer also wants to think creatively about how best to do the city’s business. He suggests “deconstructing the system” by which he means seeing if there are new ideas to replace those ideas which no longer work. As an example, he suggests investigating ways to obtain more citizen involvement in city council meeting. He knows that peoples’ lives are busy and getting to Monday night meeting at 7 pm is difficult. He would consider life streaming the council meetings with adding ways in which citizens can participate from home. In short, Moyer wants to consider any methods which will make government more interactive.
