Monday night’s council meeting provided more of the same, as certain legislators introduced bills aimed at improving the quality of life for City residents, while others chose to focus on legislation that wouldn’t pass the ‘monkey meter’.
On the night’s agenda were varying resolutions from those targeting more serious and relevant issues such as Councilman Jim Kraft’s ‘Informational Hearing’ into the proposed raise in water bill fees or even the targeted audit resolution introduced by Councilman Carl Stokes, which seeks to make the Department of Recreation and Parks more accountable, via an outside audit as this department seems to not have been audited in close to twenty years? However, others seemed to focus on ‘feel good’ issues such as issuing a resolution in recognition of a Negro Baseball League Day, or having an ‘Investigative Hearing’ into having the City adopt legislation forcing businesses to hire locally – which would never pass legal muster.
These two projects, both introduced by City Council President Bernard ‘Jack’ Young, adds onto the frivolous projects that have seemingly become his legislative calling card. From a little league baseball tournament known as the ‘President’s Cup’, to the recent Baltimore version of ‘America’s Got Talent’, this type of ‘paper policy’ that offers no assistance to those in need of jobs, housing, food and the like, who may be facing foreclosure because of a $300 water bill, are the pentacle of community frustrations toward a non-responsive government. While recognition of great people, and/or great causes, such as the resolution calling for the Pardon of Baltimore political prisoner Marshall ‘Eddie’ Conway are needed at times, the consistency of such legislation without the introduction of bills that can move Baltimore forward is a nagging problem amongst current incumbents – and unacceptable for the president of the council.
Even measures such as CB11-0634, which seeks to lower the age requirement for those running for local council seats in Baltimore, from 21 to 18, have been placed on the back burner for no apparent reason? The legislation, which was originally passed by the Mayor and introduced by then Council President Sheila Dixon, on July 12, 2004, was reintroduced by original co-sponsor Councilman Robert ‘Bobby’ Curran in January 2011. Since then, over a fifty hearings on bills that have been introduced after this legislation have been held, while the sponsor of the bill and the chair of the committee in which the bill comes before (Jim Kraft-Judiciary and Legislative Investigation Committee) have no answers as to why a hearing has yet to be set for this valuable piece of legislation. The bill, having the number of committee co-sponsors on it already that ensures its passage out of committee, is a charter amendment that once passed would still need the approval of the Baltimore electorate in the November General Election. Yet based on politics, these gentlemen have not given the backers of this bill the opportunity to have this bill heard, and frankly are robbing the citizens of this City from their electoral responsibilities in having this bill voted upon.
Beyond this legislation others have also stood up to ensure that the Baltimore electorate was protected by measures such as Councilman William ‘Bill’ Cole’s resolution to focus on the upkeep and maintenance of the many vacant lots and green spaces, focused on developing a single City bureau to be the authority over the less than responsible fiscal recs and parks department, in ensuring the mowing and maintenance of these eye sores in many cases. Also, on second reader last night, by the ever response 7th district councilwoman Belinda Conaway, besides the Free Conway bill, was CB11-0242R which focuses on controlling the foreclosure process used in the City, by calling on those departments responsible to explain their fee process and giving a final accounting of the dispositions of all proceeds made through the sale of these forfeited properties and seeking alternative measures to help people who may be facing, or are currently in, the foreclosure process.
While many may nitpick and say the issues and bills introduced by folk such as Mayoral candidate Carl Stokes are purely political, at least these bills offer something to the people, who are still struggling through the worst economic depression of this era. People are not willing to focus on milk and cookie issues such as grand prix races and little league baseball tournaments that cost the city more to put on, than what they make in years at their jobs – if they are employed at all? While the Council President has been quoted as saying that alternative media outlets such as the Examiner (myself, Adam Meister and Kinji Scott in particular) are not relevant and don’t matter, as we apparently don’t have a big enough base to hurt, or help, him in an election season; I speak for all those not affiliated with traditional media outlets, that even if only one person read our articles, and that person is homeless, jobless, hungry, and/or suffering from the lack of governmental services expected by a responsive elected representative – you should be ashamed of yourself!
Please feel free to contact Councilmen Bobby Curran & Jim Kraft by clicking on their names with an email, or calling their offices and DEMANDING that they set a hearing on CB11-0634. (Curran-410.396.4812 & Kraft-410-396-4821) You may also email or call the City Council President /410-396-4804 and have him produce legislation that helps people beyond that of his baseball fantasies from years past!
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