.png)
September 23, 2022
Dear Friend,
As the election season ramps up, I want to take a moment to thank all of my constituents and supporters. Your continued support for me, the District 30A team, and the priorities we have for the District and State is what keeps me going. Every week I knock on doors in this District, and I get to speak to the amazing residents who make up our beautiful community.
This past week I was knocking in Parole - the same very street where my family and I spent time cleaning up after the EF-2 tornado that left such horrible damage last September. A beautiful street that has come through a very difficult year.
I spent time speaking to Carole Adams' when door knocking. She has a particularly green thumb, and even shared an aloe plant with me which I greatly appreciated. It was a moment of reflection for me, thinking about the amazing people I have the privilege to represent, and the work I’m honored to do on their behalf.
My bill from the previous session, HB 386, expands and streamlines the ability of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County to distribute relief money to small businesses and nonprofits who are in need after a natural disaster. The critical need for this legislation became clear last fall when a EF-2 tornado tore through the district and dozens of businesses sustained devastating damage. HB 386 fixes the problems seen in the aftermath of the tornado by allowing the Anne Arundel Small Minority and Women-Owned Business Account (SMWOBA) fund manager to issue grants in the case of a *local* emergency declaration - rather than just in Federal or State.
I truly appreciate you trusting me with this responsibility, and supporting my effort to continue this work. As we get closer to election day, my constituents, and the critical work that we have been able to accomplish is what gives me energy and strength to fight for the work we still want to accomplish.
We are less than 50 days from Election Day! The momentum in our campaign, and in Democratic campaigns across Maryland, continues to gain strength. And all of it is thanks to amazing volunteers like you! I am so grateful for all those who have shown their support for me - from knocking on doors, putting signs up, and attending campaign events.
This Saturday join me, Team 30A, County Executive Steuart Pittman, & County Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien, to door-knock throughout District 30A on Saturday, September 10th at 10am!
Meet us at our coordinated campaign office at 17 Pinewood St, Annapolis at 10:30 AM for coffee, donuts, and a brief rally/training session before heading out! Can't wait to see you there!
Sign-up here: Sign - Up!!
There are several ways you can continue to stay involved and help our campaign:
You can sign up for any of those on our website, and be sure to follow us on Facebook to get updated on upcoming events!
Endorsement from the IAFF Local 1563 🚒🚒
I am proud and honored to have earned the Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1563 endorsement for the House of Delegates in District 30a. The IAFF, which represents 900 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics, serves Anne Arundel County with distinction.
Their role in community protection never stops at the end of their shift. IAFF Local 1563 is always serving our county and enhancing the lives of our shared residents. Their outreach, raising money and awareness for childhood cancer, being champions of the Best Buddies program, and even helping families install smoke detectors, shows their commitment and character for the safety of our citizens. Their sacrifices make Anne Arundel County a safer place.
I look forward to continuing to advocate the issues that are most important to the members of IAFF. Our firefighters and paramedics deserve collective bargaining, essential benefits from occupational cancer, and the retirement benefits they deserve.
Thank you to our Fundraiser Hosts!
Sharing my gratitude to Manelle Martino, Patty & Michael Smith, and Dr. Kelly Sullivan for hosting a fabulous fundraiser for the 30A Team! It was an important conversation with our constituents about what the next four years will entail for us all!
I am taking all of your concerns with me to create new legislative agendas as well as to complete the work we have started together during these past years. I ask for your votes for my re-election so I may continue to serve all in 30A and to be your voice in our state house. Thank you for placing your trust in me. Let’s #vote in November to keep your all female delegation working for you!
I would also like to thank Monique Atencio Kelso, Jennifer Souder Rooney, Michelle Smith, and Kurt Kartsen for hosting a beautiful afternoon meet n greet with our friends and neighbors.
If you would like to host a fundraiser or meet & greet please reach out & our team can help set that up! https://bit.ly/36s7uZ4
Best Buddies Champion: Brian Holtslander
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1563, are hosting a Fire Fighter for a Day event in partnership with Best Buddies of Maryland. Best Buddies supports building relationships and supporting the intellectual, and developmental disability community.
On October 15th, at the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Training Academy, fire fighters will team up with a student buddy to experience what it's like to be a firefighter-paramedic. Students will extinguish simulated fires, rescue stuffed animals, and learn about first aid, and fire safety.
The program has been such a success that its founder, Anne Arundel County Fire Fighter Brian Holtslander, has been nominated as a Best Buddies of Maryland Champion of the year.
If you'd like to support our local firefighter in continuing this program and others like it you can donate here!
Upcoming Event! City Dock Fiesta!
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the entire Annapolis community at City Dock on Sunday 9/25 from 6-10PM at Susan Campbell Park. There will be live music with some dancing to end the night!
Special Olympics Tour
Last week I was able to meet and congratulate Anne Arundel County's amazing athletes from Special Olympics Maryland! Having recently returned from the Special Olympics USA Games, I and the rest of the Anne Arundel County Delegation presented them with citations to celebrate their achievements.
These individuals are incredible ambassadors of our State and County, and I can't wait to see them back at the State House to celebrate their future accomplishments! We are so proud of them!! 🏆🥇🏆
For more information on the Special Olympic Games, please follow this link!
South River Park 100th Anniversary Celebration!
What a magical community!!
Two weekends ago, Delegate Henson and I had the honor of attending the South River Park Community's 100th Anniversary celebration. Last year this celebration was unfortunately canceled due to Covid-19, but even a year later there was no lack of excitement with over 100 residents in attendance!
We got to see why this community is so special first hand, with its extensive history meticulously curated by community members like Fran Jaques, a former reporter for The Capital. This stewardship of history allowed me to visit and immediately grasp the family-like atmosphere of South River Park, and I quickly learned why many have decided to live here their entire lives!
Blazers. Bourbon. Cigars
Join Historic Annapolis at the William Paca House and Garden for the 9th annual Blazers . Bourbon . Cigars!
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Location: William Paca House and Garden
186 Prince George Street
Time: 6-9PM
Cost: $100 General Admission Ticket
Spend the evening networking with fellow community leaders in the picturesque William Paca Garden while you enjoy bourbon, whiskey, and other fine liquor tastings, cigars, and delightful food from the area's top chefs. Your ticket purchase supports Historic Annapolis and its important mission to Preserve, Protect, and Connect.
For more information, visit here: https://www.annapolis.org/media-content/blazers-bourbon-cigars-2022
2022 DisAbility Awareness Day
The month of October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The theme for NDEAM 2022, "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation," recognizes the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse and inclusive. Every year, the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities and the Commission on Disability Issues hold Disability Awareness Day, where we recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who support and advocate for individuals with disabilities. The event consists of an award ceremony and vendors who provide information about resources available for people with disabilities and their families.
Love Our Libraries
There are two exciting things brewing with Ceremony Coffee Roasters that benefit the library! ☕☕☕
Help power up your librarians!
Pay it forward to your favorite librarians by purchasing any bag of coffee from Ceremony's Annapolis Roastery (90 Russell St., Suite 500) or the Riva café (2329 Forest Drive). Ceremony will take care of the rest by delivering donated bags of coffee to our library staff for their daily jet fuel power up. That’ll get them zooming around the stacks! Available through January 2023.
I love you a latte!
Ceremony’s Fall drink menu is now available and scrumptious. Each time you order Lord of the Pies at Ceremony’s Roastery, the Riva café or Bethesda (7475 Wisconsin Avenue) locations a portion of the proceeds will go towards your library automatically. Lord of the Pies is a latte with house-made apple pie syrup and caramel, topped with whipped cream infused with maple, vanilla, and apple pie spice. Available through November 2022.
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, COVID-19 updates, and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact my office by email at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3211.
Stay safe and healthy,
Delegate Dana Jones
District 30A, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County