Mayor Josh Cohen: A Proven Leader for our Environment

Dear Annapolitans: In this falls election, it is imperative we elect a Mayor who not only cares about the environment, but has a proven record of preserving and protecting it. That person is Josh Cohen. A proven record As an elected official Josh has been a workhorse, not a show horse. He has achieved a remarkable record of results throughout his 12 years of public service: As Alderman: Supported Annapolis early adoption of a stormwater utility; Authored successful amendment to guarantee stormwater funds are dedicated for environmental use; Passed moratorium on large developments until Annapolis adopted an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to make new development cover its costs; Strengthened penalties for repeat development violations ; and Passed ordinance reducing development density near environmental critical areas

As County Councilman: Supported zoning to implement the citizen-developed Annapolis Neck Small Area Plan, and fought against commercial upzoning of properties that were not part of the Plan; Increased development impact fees; Expanded solar energy tax credits; Increased standards for energy-efficient building construction; and Passed tax credits to encourage private installation of rain gardens

As Mayor: Increased funding for environmental projects; Began $400,000 project to restore eroded and polluted gully at the headwaters of Spa Creek; Improved development process to require full identification of natural features prior to development approvals; Sponsored ordinance to strengthen enforcement and penalties for illicit discharge into waterways; Sponsored ordinance to strengthen Annapolis implementation of State Forest Conservation Act; Supported Annapolis Environmental Commission in advising City on development review; Increased Citywide recycling rate by almost 20 percent in 2012; Launched commercial recycling program; Expanded Citys Sustainable Business Awards to include County businesses; Earned National Wildlife Federations Certified Community Wildlife Habitat designation; and Directed Annapolis join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in filing an amicus brief to support the EPAs ability to enforce maximum pollution loads in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Leadership on Crystal Spring Josh shares our concerns about the proposed Crystal Spring development on Forest Drive, and like us, would prefer to see the private forest preserved. City laws do not grant the mayor authority to approve or deny any project. Instead, as we have come to expect from Josh, he has been working diligently to address concerns about environmental, traffic and school capacity impacts. This is what effective leadership is about seizing opportunities to achieve positive results. Under Joshs leadership, the City continues to push to reduce the size of the development footprint, preserve more forest, restore eroded stream gullies, improve stormwater runoff, and make roadway and other transportation improvements to address traffic impacts. Although many of our neighbors perceive the project as a done deal, it is still at the early stages of the review process. We trust Josh to do everything he can to minimize the impacts of Crystal Spring and make it a well-designed, model project for the environment and our community. Exceptional Leadership Over many years of public service, Josh has shown himself to be an effective leader who gets things done. The Severn River Association recognized this quality when it awarded Josh its distinguished Green Heron Award, citing his exceptional leadership, imagination and perseverance for his work on addressing stormwater runoff. We support Josh because he has done a good job leading Annapolis through the recession while maintaining his commitment to the environment. We support Josh even though we dont see eye-to-eye with him on every issue. We support Josh because he listens and we know can work with him, just as we have worked together year after year. Josh has proven himself to be an effective leader with a sustained commitment to the environment. He has earned our support, and we ask you to join us in supporting him to serve another term as our Mayor. Sincerely,

Gretchen Clift
Member, Annapolis Conservancy Board

Rick Kissel
Member, Annapolis Environmental Commission

Dan Haas
Former Commissioner, Severn River Commission

Steve Raabe
Chair, Watershed Stewards Academy Former Member, Annapolis Conservancy Board

Scott Hymes
Former V.P., Severn River Association Founder, Crownsville Conservancy

Eric Sprague
Chair, Sustainable Forestry Council Vice-Chair, Maryland Forestry Board Foundation

Corinne Irwin
Former Chair, Annapolis Environmental Commission

Rod Tomlinson
Director, Severn River Association

Sari Kiraly
Member, Annapolis Environmental Commission

Note: Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only, and do not indicate endorsement by that organization. By authority of Cohen for Mayor, Merry OBrien, Treasurer - Printed In-House