March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Letter To The Editor: An Altercation With Alderman Kirby

editorialEarlier today, on President Street, my mother witnessed Alderman Kirby discard his still lit cigarette onto the ground. It fell into dry leaves gathered along the curb. My mother said to him, “Your cigarette is still lit and it could catch the leaves on fire.” His response to her was “If you’re so concerned about it, come stomp it out yourself.” She did just that. As she stood on the street and he on the sidewalk she looked up at him and told him not only could he have potentially started a fire, he also littered. He told her that 1. He didn’t care about litter and 2. she couldn’t issue him a citation. He then waved his hand repeatedly at her telling her to “Be Gone, be gone, be gone….” She is one of the constituents in Ward 6. This was her FIRST EVER encounter with Kirby. It’s quite obvious he cares nothing for the place he claims to live in or the laws that govern it (Annapolis City Code Chapter 11.36.030 Littering)

After casting my vote at the church off of Bay Ridge Ave, I found Alderman Kirby standing by.  I approached him to inquire as to why he would be so rude to a member of Ward 6 and why, as Alderman of Ward 6, he would so willingly contribute to the already growing waste and litter problem.  I hoped that my polite approach and youthful appearance (I’m only 26) would garner me the response of the “leader” he’s supposed to be.  But to my absolute shock (I’ve never had the “pleasure” of meeting him), he blew me off, even raising his voice at me and asking what my point was, am I recording this, am I in the FBI?  He wouldn’t even make eye contact with me because he was too busy waving to cars passing by, yet he could carry on a phone conversation after brushing me off…obviously too scared to face me because he knew I was right.

The very nice woman standing next to him (holding a Kirby sign) was listening in, and she did (very nicely) come to his defense saying “but there are many cigarette butts on the ground.”  I asked “But does that make it right?  Don’t you want a clean Annapolis for your children?”  When she attempted to validate anything I had to say, even if it was “I see where you’re coming from,” Alderman Kirby shouted back “Don’t validate her!”  I looked to him and politely yelled back “Don’t condemn her for having her own opinion!”

I don’t know if Alderman Kirby felt threatened enough to phone back-up, or if it just happened to be good timing, but another man in a small red car, approached, stepping far too close for my comfort, and instructed me to leave, without even giving me an opportunity to explain myself and treating me like I was some kind of threat (I’m 5″1′, caucasian, and again…26)  He then (supposedly) called the cops (who never showed…I waited).  All this over a young resident of Annapolis (ward 6) asking Alderman Kirby why he so willingly littered and why he spoke to my mother so harshly.

Is this the kind of “leader” we want for Ward 6?  He wouldn’t even give me the time of day.  I had NO voice, and I am part of his ward!  Not to mention, this type of behavior, on election day when I could have been voting for him.  Does he think he’s too good?  Above the law?  He refused to listen, apologize, validate, anything.  He should be ashamed of his actions…not just the littering, but in how he treats people.

 
Brynn A.L., Ward 6 Voter
Pam A.L., Ward 6 Voter
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