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"Investing
Where Baltimore Lives" |
April 25, 2008 |
Dear Friends:
The budget season is upon us. This week the Board of Estimates approved the Mayor’s proposed budget and property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2009, and they will be introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting. The originally proposed budget released in March included a promise to lower the City’s property tax rate by 2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Since then, the Administration has determined that this 2-cent reduction would be too costly for the City, so the property tax cut was removed from the new budget proposal.
On one hand, I’m pleased that this revised budget included funding for several youth programs that are vital to the future of our City, such as community schools and Experience Corps, a program that puts retirees into the schools to mentor the students and to assist the teachers. I applaud the restoration of this funding, and I am working hard with City agencies to identify the funding for more youth programs. But I firmly believe that the City can find a way to do both—fund youth programs and maintain the property tax relief promised to our citizens.
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Baltimore’s property tax rate is twice as high as the average rate in surrounding counties and a disproportionate burden to homeowners, quite literally hitting us where we live. What’s more, many Baltimore homeowners are paying property taxes on assessed values that are much higher than they are able to sell their home for in the current market. Add this to rising prices for gas, food and health care, and you’ll quickly find a formula that is pricing too many working families out of their homes, or out of the City.
The bottom line is that Baltimore simply must have a more comprehensive plan for property tax reduction. While maintaining the current rate will more comfortably allow the City to continue its level of services over the short-term, I am concerned about what it will cost us over the long haul if we choose to continue this tremendous disincentive to homeownership in Baltimore. We need to send a signal to our current homeowners and prospective newcomers to Baltimore that we are serious about property tax relief. In January the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Taxes and Fees issued a report detailing a number of recommendations to increase revenues in order to lower Baltimore’s property tax burden. The panel’s report was released for public comment with great fanfare, and a public meeting was held at Poly. Certainly, many of these recommendations will take time to implement, but it is troubling for the City, only months after this report, to rescind its one commitment to property tax relief for its citizens.
Reducing the tax burden on families, just like improving public safety and public schools, is a fundamental priority for our city. At Monday night’s Council meeting 12th District Councilman Bernard "Jack" Young, chair of the Council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, will announce the budget hearing schedule, and these public hearings will be posted on our website Tuesday morning. In tough economic times, we must work together to protect our priorities in order to make progress towards a future with better schools, safer neighborhoods, and less taxes. I've made a commitment and I'm determined to work with the Mayor and Council to find a way to protect this vision for the future of Baltimore as part of our budget process. If you would like to share your comments and questions about the budget with the City Council, I encourage you to attend Taxpayers’ Night on Tuesday, May 13 in the City Council Chambers.
Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council
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Each
week in the President's
SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding
accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students
and staff. |
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Baltimore Freedom Academy Holds 5th Annual Leadership Week
 "Freedom to Lead; Dare to Succeed" - Baltimore Freedom Academy (BFA) continues to strengthen its programming for Baltimore City high school students by cultivating and emphasizing their leadership skills in a weeklong leadership conference and college immersion program. Leadership Week 2008 was held April 21-25 at the East Baltimore school. The week kicked off with a Leadership Luncheon, attended by keynote speakers Congressman Elijah Cummings and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. College tours, community service activities, and an on-campus college fair were scheduled throughout the week. It ended with the annual Barrister’s Ball, which was named in the spirit of the law-related education program implemented at BFA. A mini-business conference was the highlight of the week. Students participated in workshops featuring business and political leaders and engaged in discussions ranging from personal wellness to positive decision-making.
Baltimore Freedom Academy has been implementing Leadership Week for its entire student population as a companion program to its project-based learning curriculum. Its main purpose is to give students a chance to view the world from a different perspective. Baltimore Freedom Academy was established in 2003 to cultivate students prepared to transform communities. Beginning in the fall of 2008, BFA will begin operating as a 6-12 secondary charter school.
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Have
an exciting news item on achievements
in
Baltimore City Public Schools?
Let us
know so that we can feature them in the President's
SchoolSpot. Call Council President
Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an
e-mail to Marva Williams at
marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov
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City
Council This Week
Monday, April 28, 2008
City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.
Draft agenda
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, Jim Kraft - Chair
**PLEASE NOTE: These hearings will all be held at: Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, 1417 Thames Street.
9:30 AM
08-0055 Charter Amendment - Sustainability Funds
9:45 AM
08-0056 Sanitation - Mixed Refuse Collections
10:00 AM
08-0059 Beverage Containers - Refund Value
10:15 AM
08-0060 Plastic Bag Reduction
10:30 AM
08-0061 Food Establishments - Polystyrene Products
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0071 Pamela Bohrer Brown, Member - Social Services Commission - 4th District
EA08-0072 Peggy DeCarlis, LCSW-C, Member - Social Services Commission
EA08-0073 Mary J. Demory, Member, Social Services Commission - 6th District
EA08-0074 M. Thomas Graham, Member, Social Services Commission
EA08-0075 Martha Holleman, Member, Social Services Commission - 6th District
EA08-0076 Anna R. McPhatter, Ph.D., LCSW, Member - Social Services Commission
EA08-0077 Ruth W. Mayden, Member - Social Services Commission - 4th District
EA08-0080 Richard P. Barth, Ph.D. Member - Social Services Commission - 5th District
EA08-0081 Ernestine F. Jones Member - Social Services Commission
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:00 AM PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0011 Sale of Property - Map 5 Parcel 247, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
10:15 AM
08-0012 Sale of Property - South Side of North Point Boulevard, Parcel 28 Map 96 in Baltimore County
10:30 AM
08-0013 Sale of Property - Pennington Avenue Landfill
10:45 AM
08-0014 Sale of Property - SES Walther Avenue NEC Fleetwood Avenue (Block 5603E, Lot 3A)
11:00 AM
08-0037 Sale of Property - A Portion of the Former Bed of Monroe Street
11:15 AM
08-0039 Vacant Lot Registration - Repeal of Registration Fee
11:30 AM
08-0040 Property Owner Registry
1:30 PM
LO08-0011 Overview - Planning Department
The Planning Department will give the committee an overview of the General
Obligation Bond Issues; hearings on these bills begin at 1:45 PM.
1:45 PM
08-0073 Bond Issue - Community Development Loan - $30,500,000
2:00 PM
08-0074 Bond Issue - Economic Development Loan - $15,300,000
2:15 PM
08-0075 Bond Issue - Enoch Pratt Free Library Loan - $3,000,000
2:30 PM
08-0083 Bond Issue - Public Buildings Loan - $12,500,000
2:45 PM
08-0084 Bond Issue - Recreation and Parks Loan - $16,000,000
3:00 PM
08-0085 Bond Issue - School Loan - $43,000,000
Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, Jim Kraft - Chair
PLEASE NOTE: This hearing will be held at: Dept. of Recreation
and Parks Administration Bldg., Druid Hill Park, 3001 East Drive.
6:00 PM
LO08-0010 The Future of Dog Parks in Baltimore City
Baltimore Green Week
Friday, April 25 - Friday, May 2, 2008
 Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks and Baltimore Green Week are teaming up for the 5th Annual Baltimore Green Week. Join us for a week of events that promote sustainable living.
For a complete list of events and activities, please visit www.baltimoregreenweek.org.
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April 25-April 27
Johns Hopkins University Spring Fair
Friday 12pm–7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus, 3400 N. Charles St.
Hopkins celebrates its 37th Annual Spring Fair with live music, food and arts and crafts vendors, non-profit booths, and student groups, with games and carnival rides for the kids.
www.jhuspringfair.com
A Musical Play, "King of the Eastern Shore"
Riverside Stage, 1530 Battery Avenue, Riverside Park, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 8pm
Sunday: 3pm. Inaugurating Riverside's New Performing Arts Space.
Tickets $10. Free parking. 410-837-0971 www.MusicalArtistsTheatre.com
Friday, April 25
Baltimore City Teen Night
C.C. Jackson Recreation Center, 4910 Park Heights Avenue, 410-396-0949, 8pm-midnight
Participate in fun and safe activities designed for teens, by teens. Enjoy music, dancing, games, fashion shows and more. Free and open to teenagers 14-17.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days
Spring is in the air, and it's a great time to rid your home, basement and garage of unwanted hazardous material. Let the Department of Public Works help you safely dispose of materials such as bleach, pesticides, car and household batteries, pool chemicals and other items.
Saturday, April 26: Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street,
9am - 3pm
Sunday, April 27: Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street,
11am - 4pm
Sunday, May 4: Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Cold Spring Lane and Falls Road, 9am - 3 pm.
Must be a Baltimore resident and have proof of residency. For more information call 311.
Saturday, April 26
The 3rd Annual Who Are You? Wide Angle Youth Media Festival Performance Day
Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St., 2pm. Live performances, videos, and a gallery exhibit by more than 200 youth ages 10-18. 410-332-0033. Pay-what-you-can.
Mt. Washington Village Flower and Garden Show
Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave. 10am – 4pm 410-578-1919.
Zoo Celebration at Cross Keys
5100 Falls Rd., 12pm – 2pm. Live animal appearances, games, family fun. Donations will be accepted. 410-323-1000.
Fairy Tale Extravaganza & Pre-School Ball
Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., 10 am - 3 pm. 410-396-5430. Free.
The Friends of Daisy Field Health Fair
300 block of N. Hilton St. and Monastery Ave., 10am-3pm, Wanda Wallace, 410-336-3663. Free.
Sunday, April 27
Navigate this Place: Family Scavenger Hunt
In the Parks at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 1pm-4pm, 410-547-9000.
Federal Hill Main Street’s Spring Block Party
E. Cross St., 11am-7pm, 410-727-4500. $5 admission. www.historicfederalhill.org
Upcoming/Ongoing
Applications for the Baltimore Book Festival Authors' Tent and Literary Exhibitors
The deadline to submit an application for the Authors' Tent and Literary exhibitions at the 2008 Baltimore Book Festival is May 2. The Authors' Tent will host self-published local authors and the application fee is $25. Literary exhibitors include "booksellers, book-related products and literary-oriented programs," and the fee is $35. The festival will be held Sept. 26-28 in Mount Vernon Place. www.baltimorebookfestival.com or call (410) 752-8632.
Artscape Applications
Artscape, the nation's largest free public arts festival, will be running for the 27th time in 2008. Seeking applications from artists, cultural, fashion, and children's exhibitors, as well as dance and theater companies. Newly added are the Chick Web Jazz Combo Competition, a Sound-Off! ompetition for local bands to become part of the line-up, and Indie-spensible, a DIY program. Application deadlines vary on a case-to-case basis. For more information visit www.artscape.org or call (410) 752-8632.
Mayor Dixon Convenes Red Line Community Summit
Baltimore Convention Center
Saturday, May 10, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
www.mayorsredlinesummit.com
The Red Line Community Summit is free and open to the public.
Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. Register by April 25th and receive a free transit pass to attend the event or free parking!
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The Red Line is a proposed 12-mile rail line that will operate from the Social Security Administration building in Woodlawn to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus in Southeast Baltimore. Construction of this historic project could begin as early as 2012, pending review and approval by the Federal Transit Administration and a funding plan agreed upon by the state and federal government.
Mayor Dixon is bringing together the resources and expertise of many different City agencies to help the Maryland Transit Administration develop the best possible Red Line alternative for the region. Community activists, transit experts and business leaders from around the country will lead workshops that demonstrate how Baltimore can leverage the Red Line project for neighborhood revitalization, job creation, minority business participation and environmental preservation. Members of the Mayor’s cabinet, city elected officials, representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation, and Congressman Elijah Cummings are scheduled to participate.
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Art in the Park presented by Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, Open Air Art and Eclec-tiques Market, Every other Saturday starting April 12, 9am-2pm, www.millvalleyarts.org
The National Women's Prison Project Annual Mother's Day Luncheon, May 9, 12pm -2pm, Calvary Baptist Church , 3911 Garrison Blvd. Keynote Speaker is Tonier Cain, National Trauma Advocate. Free, but registration is required. 410-233-3385.
The Hamilton Art Crawl, May 1-3, 2008
The Hamilton Art Crawl features live music, a craft market, order a drink from nationally renowned artist and guest bartender Tony Shore, feast on local restaurants' fare, and create your own artwork! The second annual Hamilton Art Crawl features all of these events and more, as well as a raffle with great prizes from area businesses. For more information, visit www.hamiltonarts.org
Baltimore Rising’s Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program (MCIP) needs mentors for youths whose parent or guardian is in jail and is taking referrals for children who need mentors. Kamala Green at 443-984-1013.
Looking For Junior Achievement Alumni! Junior Achievement is celebrating 50 years in Maryland in 2007. Did a JA program lead you to where you are today? Tell us about it! Visit http://maryland.ja.org or contact JoAnn Goldberger at 443-394-7211 Ext. 226 or jgoldberger@JAKids.com
The Community Law Center provides free legal services and technical assistance to improve the quality of life and economic viability of communities. Community-based organizations, nonprofits, and churches are eligible for assistance with forming new nonprofit organizations and gaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, reviewing contracts, acquiring property, addressing drug nuisance properties, addressing the zoning/environmental impact of properties/development projects in the community, confronting problem liquor establishments, resolving tax issues and many other legal issues. Call 410.366.0922 x15 or email danielled@communitylaw.org. www.communitylaw.org
Baltimore Healthcare Access, Inc. is announcing a new initiative to protect the health and well-being of city residents. Through this initiative, city residents can call 311 for screening and referral to a range of health insurance programs and low-cost healthcare options. www.bhca.org
The Bar Association of Baltimore City is pleased to offer its Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) to the general public. This service features a panel of attorneys who provide a wide range of legal assistance ranging from Asbestos to Worker's Compensation. Those referred to private attorneys will be able to receive a reduced fee half-hour consultation, which is waived for certain case types. This service also occasionally features volunteer attorneys who are able to answer basic legal questions over telephone for no charge. For those who qualify, the LRIS also offers reduced fee legal services for the elderly. For more information call 410-539-3112 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday-Friday, or email info@baltimorebar.org.
Also, small community-based nonprofits working to strengthen low income communities are eligible for pro bono legal help from the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Community Development Project. Get help with reviewing contracts, negotiating leases, preparing employee manuals, and many other legal issues. Call 443-451-4064 or email jocarol@mvlslaw.org
Baltimore International Academy, a public charter school, is now accepting applications for students interested in full immersion education in one of four tracks: French, Chinese, Russian or Spanish. An Open House will be held at 7 pm on May 20 at 3515 Taylor Avenue – the campus of the Maryland School for the Blind. More information is available from the school at (410)426-3650 or baltimoreinternationalacademy@yahoo.com.
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