Annapolis Mayor Buckley Headed To Australia To Be With Ill Mom

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Mayor Gavin Buckley's mother has fallen "gravely ill" and he will be making an emergency visit to Australia to be by her side. While he is gone through Feb. 11, Ward Three Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles will assume the responsibilities of mayor. She was sworn in Monday night after the Annapolis City Council meeting.

According to the charter and code of the City of Annapolis, the elected mayor may “designate an alderman/woman to serve and perform the duties of the office… An acting mayor has the same rights, duties, powers and obligations as the mayor.”

Responsibilities that fall upon the acting mayor include signing ordinances, charter amendments, resolutions and instruments, audits and statements of finance, overseeing administrative duties and executive responsibilities, including intergovernmental relationships.

Pindell-Charles will swear in David Jarrell as the fourth city manager in the history of the City of Annapolis Friday. The swearing-in will take place in city council chambers at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. Jarrell has been the director of the department of public works since 2010. He was previously the deputy chief operating officer for the City of San Diego.