As the Baltimore Sun based rumors swirl about a possible run for Baltimore City Council President by current Baltimore 43rd District Delegate Curtis Anderson, the incumbent President brought out the City’s elite in support of his candidacy.
Bernard C. ‘Jack’ Young, Baltimore’s City Council President exactly a year to date, held his first major fundraiser of the year at Bourbon Street lounge which brought some of Baltimore’s best and brightest out of the woodworks. Hosted by former Baltimore City Council colleague and 7th district Congressman Kweisi Mfume, the night’s events were mild mannered and tempered, as the business elite came to show support to their candidate for Council President 2011. Announcing his run for the post, President Young was accompanied by two former Council Presidents and Mayors - Sheila Dixon and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Making it clear to everyone that he intends to run for the position of President, not Mayor as some have alluded to, President Young said that it was his passion to represent his colleagues as their President and represent the City’s entire constituency.
“My life over the past 15-years has been about public service and while it was certainly a great pleasure and graciously gratifying serving the residents of the 12th council district, it is even that much more satisfying serving the entire city’s population as President,” said the 56-year old Young. At his side throughout the night was long-time friend and supporter, Kweisi Mfume, who was said to have been contemplating a citywide campaign himself. However placing those rumors to rest last night, the former President and CEO of the NAACP said that he was merely going to take a sideline position this time around, however he would be directly involved in the upcoming citywide elections, as they are certainly way too important to let slip by without direct action.
“I find myself not going to be a candidate this time around, however in a City with only a 20% turnout rate, in an election year that saw a United States Senate race, a Governor’s race, a contentious and close State’s Attorney’s race, all the state’s elected delegates and senators running, coupled with the fact you had 6-days of early voting; that is atrocious and we cannot allow that to happen this time around in a town so rich and steeped in history with historic officials, along with the quality of elected leaders and candidates sure to be on this year’s ballot, such as Jack [Young],” said the ever popular Mfume. Following up those encouraging words, the Council President called for civility in the council chambers towards the Mayor’s Office, as a majority of his council colleagues were in attendance. Yet he also cautioned as to a President and legislative branch being too closely tied in with the executive branch of government. “We each have a specified job to do on behalf of the people of this City, yet we have to be very careful as to not hold up progress that may be coming from the second floor of City Hall,” said a weary Young. “For only the people of Baltimore suffer when we argue and disagree, yet there is also a way to agree to disagree on certain matters, and I will continue to be that type of President, one that lead’s by example!”
However it may become increasingly difficult to calm certain council persons from going astray and contrary to almost everything put in by the Mayor, from redistricting to the FY12 budget later this year, as some like attendee Councilman Carl Stokes, is said to be possibly making his own run for Baltimore’s top spot. Evasive in our attempts to have him answer whether or not he was certainly running for the post, he did allude to a run by saying that he felt as though he has not heard a clear and concise message and vision from the Mayor, for Baltimore over the next four years, and that he would be laying out his own plan soon enough. Also of note, at the end of Mfume’s stump speech for Young, the civil rights Baltimore icon gave a quick shout out to his family member Stokes, possibly meaning that he would support and endorse a Stokes’ run for Mayor in 2011?
With an election year where both the top two spot’s for Mayor and Council President are filled with two individuals who have never been battle tested in their posts amongst the electorate, it will certainly make for an interesting political season and certain juicy news, rumors and sound bytes in the upcoming days, weeks and months to come. Stay tuned for all the hottest and latest political news and insider information here only at the Examiner.com.
For more information on a Jack Young candidacy for President, you can visit his website at http://www.young4baltimore.com. Another Jack Young event is scheduled for Saturday March 5, 2011 from 7-9P at Eden’s Lounge (15 W. Eager St.) as IMPAC will be doing a Meet & Tweet with the Council President, hosted by former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. For more info on that visit the website or call #443.473.6401.
For more information on this article and more you may email me here, follow me on Twitter, Friend me on Facebook, view past Reporters’ Roundtable TV shows here or view future RR clips and/or view services provided by GCOMM Media Co. here.
Comments
Yeah well Mr. Young still can't win a citywide election against anyone worth running, as he is a crying. soft pansy who does not deserve to lead the Council!!!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!