Voting in Annapolis

It seems that I don't actually live in Annapolis. Not in the political sense, I reside outside of the official boundaries. Click on the map above for a large view or this link here. I lived in Annapolis for a couple of years on Acton Road (Ward 1), but my Harness Creek address was outside of the boundaries of Ward 5. I spent a few months in Ward 7 until the condo fire condemned my building, and my latest move to the Bestgate Road area has put me out of town again. Looking at the Ward Map you can see boundaries that only politicians would think of as logical. Who in the world drew up Ward 6? It ranges haphazardly across town and has a strange splinter that spits Ward 5, Ward 5 is actually two separate areas that don't even physically connect. As a former resident of Ward 1, the west end, I don't see how a pol can serve all of Ward 1, the money, power and issues of the downtown area surely must overshadow any concerns of the constituents of the Spa - Silopanna - Boxwood area. How much money, or votes are in this area compared to downtown, and how much attention does it really receive? As a Monday Morning QB of Annapolis politics, even though I don't live in the city (heck, that doesn't stop other blogs!), I offer the following. The Ward 1 boundary should shrink, stopping at Amos Garrett right there by Fados and the West Street/Spa circle. This way downtown is Ward 1 and Ward 1 is downtown, with no one left out in the 'west' unattended. The sliced off section of 'west' Ward 1 should be added to the sections of Ward 5 & 6 east of Hilltop Ave, the area around the start of Spa Creek. Call this new grouping Ward 6, now you have a more common demographic and geographic area. An environmental politician could really run on protecting the Spa Creek area. Now, what to do with the remnants of Ward 5 & 6? Easy, south of Tyler and east of Forest go to Ward 7 and the rest to Ward 5, including that strange spur from Ward 6. That was easy, redefining Annapolis political boundaries using only 5 minutes of my lunch. I am disappointed to now be regulated to the sidelines for the upcoming elections. Personally I was leaning towards a vote for Fox. I will continue to follow the plethora of blogs covering the race, from all angles, legitimate or not, it's highly entertaining and sometimes informative. Sources of Information & Entertainment in no particular order The Capitol Annapolis Capitol Punishment The Arundel Muckracker Eye on Annapolis Annapolis Political Scene