Health equity nonprofit leader files for Ward 2 seat

A senior member of a health equity nonprofit organization has filed to run for the Annapolis City Council seat in Ward 2.

Scott T. Gibson, the chief strategy officer at Melwood, a health equity nonprofit that advocates for people with disabilities, has filed to run as a Republican for the seat currently held by Alderman Fred Paone. Paone announced last week he will not seek re-election this fall.

Gibson's campaign will focus on improving walkability, improving water access and increasing job opportunities in Annapolis by making the city a more attractive place for businesses to set up shop. But to do those things, the city must fix its finances, he said.

"If we want to move from dreaming an idea to reality, we have got to get our financial house in order. We do not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem," he said.

Gibson, 38, has lived in Annapolis since 2013. He is a former president of the Admiral Heights Improvement Association and a current member of the board. He is also a former professor of political science at Mount St. Mary's University and a former director of Human Resources for Harford County.

He has not run for office before. Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Gibson to serve on the Community Health Resources Commission where he works to improve health care services access to underserved residents in Maryland.

Gibson created the "Walkable Ward Two" Facebook group, dedicated to making the city safe for walking and biking. Through that group, he has advocated for safety improvements like a proposed sidewalk project on Cedar Park Road.

The project has been added to the fiscal 2022 capital budget.

Paone has held the Ward 2 seat since 2007 and is the lone Republican on the council.

There are now two primary candidates in the Ward 2 race ahead of the city's Sept. 21 primary election. Karma O'Neill, the founder of Annapolis-based events company KO Events, has also filed to run for the seat as a Democrat.

Candidates have until July 26 to file. More information about the 2021 city elections can be found at https://www.annapolis.gov/1702/2021-Elections-Information.

Caption: Gibson