'You're Wasted,' Annapolis Mayor Alleges During Contentious Housing Debate

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Annapolis mayor publicly accused an alderman of attending this week's City Council meeting while "wasted." This sparked backlash during an already contentious affordable housing debate.

"Alderman Gay, you're wasted," Mayor Gavin Buckley said at Monday's meeting.

Ward 6 Alderman DaJuan Gay repeatedly denied the accusation and told Buckley it was "incredibly inappropriate" for him to suggest that.

"You are. You know you are. It's true," Buckley said, speaking over Gay.

Gay told Patch that he has been sick for a few weeks and has been taking cold medicine. Gay said he was not "wasted" at the meeting, however.

"I am not sure why, or what he was referencing," Gay told Patch in a Thursday email. "There was no indication in my actions or words that would lead him to believe that and is why I was shocked and immediately request a point of order."

Mitchelle Stephenson, a spokesperson for Buckley, said the mayor does not have any further comments on his interaction with Gay.

"It was a contentious debate where unfortunately, as human beings, tempers flared," Stephenson said in an email. "The Mayor and Alderman Gay apologized both during and after the meeting on Monday and have now resolved the matter."

Housing Debate

The confrontation broke out during a debate about The Willows, a nonprofit income-restricted community proposed off Forest Drive. The Capital reported that the development has been stuck in the planning phases since last spring, however.

Annapolis resident Tara Stout spoke during the public comment period of Monday's meeting.

Stout asked Buckley why a West Street development proposed by his business partner seemed to get approved quicker than The Willows. Stout is a real estate broker involved with The Willows, The Capital said.

"The target market for that development is a higher socio-economic demographic than the market for The Willows," Stout said. "The Willows' application was submitted in April, had work sessions in August and September and anticipated a public hearing at Planning Commission immediately thereafter, but it has been in limbo at Planning and Zoning ever since."

Stephenson said the West Street development has actually been in the works longer than The Willows.

The spokesperson said the West Street project had two phases, the first of which came around 2008.

Stephenson said that's when Jody Danek and Gavin Buckley bought the land and opened Lemongrass (a Thai restaurant), Metropolitan (an upscale bar) and a hair salon. The salon has since been sold.

Phase two is the current subject of debate. A version of this second site plan was approved before the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephenson said Danek and fellow developer Tom Hanna did not follow through with that design, so the plan's approval expired.

Danek and Hanna returned with a smaller site design plan in fall 2022, Stephenson said. That second application was approved in March, The Capital reported.

"There was nothing expedited or unusually quick about this process, especially given that it had previously gone through the process and been approved," Stephenson said.

The Capital said the developers plan to build six new apartments and a restaurant at West Street and Colonial Avenue.

Stephenson also noted that the mayor is not an operational business partner in this second phase of development.

"There is nothing that prohibits his long-time business partner (Mr. Danek), with a new partner (Mr. Hanna) from conducting business with the City," Stephenson said. "Mayor Buckley discloses and recuses himself when appropriate."

Gay requested more time for Stout to speak about The Willows after her three minutes ran out. That exchange is what led to Buckley's "you're wasted" remarks.

Gay does not think Buckley's relationship with the West Street developer was a conflict of interest or caused any preferential treatment over The Willows.

"I have been informed the project has not had any special privileges and has been in the work for at least a decade," Gay wrote to Patch. "I would hope all project have an opportunity to get through Planning process in a timely fashion, in particular, those providing needed services or affordable housing ... It is our job to try and create as many businesses opportunities to benefit the citizens of Annapolis."

The full City Council meeting is viewable here. Stout is called to discuss The Willows at 17:50. Her time expires around 21:05, and the "wasted" comments come seconds later.