March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Pantelides Wants To Buy Crystal Spring

michael-pantelidesDespite the property already being under contract, Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides has told The Capital that he intends to purchase the controversial Crystal Spring property for the City.

The deal, considered a long shot by most, would involve close cooperation by the new Mayor, a City Council who (so far) has not shown any inclination of working with the Mayor, the Democrat Speaker of the House, and the County Executive.  If that cooperation could be achieved, there is still the problem of the property not being for sale.

Property owner, Janet Richardson Pearson has told The Capital that the property has been essentially sold for several years.

An observer of the business climate in Anne Arundel County pointed out an interesting dynamic. “You have to realize that John Pantelides (Ed. Note: Mayor’s father) represents Greenberg Gibbons and is the “go to” man for any development in Anne Arundel County. He paved the way for the Village at Waugh Chapel and Greenberg Gibbons reportedly was interested in Crystal Spring as well.”

John Pantelides, the Mayor’s father, and his brother are senior campaign advisors to County Executive Laura Neuman who is seeking to retain her position in the upcoming election.

110 Compromise

Eye On Annapolis has also heard learned that the Mayor is likely to introduce legislation (possibly as early as tonight) to form a “negotiation team” to begin the process of possibly buying the beleaguered Fawcett’s property.

Again any acquisition of land, would need to go through the City Council. Ward 4 Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson took to The Capital this weekend in a letter to the editor (not available online) to lambaste the Mayor and how he has dismissed several employees since taking office. A City Hall employee close to the situation told Eye On Annapolis that former City Manager Mike Mallinoff was not terminated by the Mayor, but terminated by Paul Renstead (Director of HR) after a meeting with acting City Attorney Timothy Murnane.

 

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