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"Investing Where Baltimore Lives" |
July 20, 2007 |
Dear Friends:
I have been involved in public service for most of my life, and over the years I have developed an instinct for sensing when a moment of significant change is on the horizon. With this week’s departure of Police Commissioner Hamm, and the celebrated arrival of new City schools CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso, Baltimore is on the threshold of a new era for both troubled agencies.
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| Sun photo - Kim Hairston |
We have learned a vital lesson from the history of politicizing these vital agencies: like Dr. Alonso, Acting Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld has been selected to do the job without interference. As elected officials, we must see that our department heads are held accountable. But we must stop short of micromanaging, and dictating internal policy strategy. This is a theme Mayor Dixon has trumpeted, and I applaud her for that.
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| Sun photo - Elizabeth Malby |
Dr. Alonso has been very candid with us that he wants to be held accountable. Before even signing up, he has diagnosed some of our problems and demonstrated a hands-on approach. I am impressed with Dr. Alonso: he and I share a penchant for accountability and a belief in thoughtful and deliberate consensus-building. I believe that his can-do, "buck-stops-here" attitude will win over many city residents who have grown weary of North Avenue's revolving-door leadership and entrenched bureaucracy. Both the perception and the reality of this state of affairs have hurt the Baltimore Public School System.
Baltimore will truly come of age and begin to heal from its long nightmare of poverty, drug addiction and violent crime when we realize that civil rights are for everyone—not just chronic offenders who diminish the quality of life for their neighbors—but also for law-abiding citizens of every cultural background and social status. These include the right not to have drug dealers keep you from leaving your home, to walk to the corner store for groceries. They also include the right of Baltimore's young people to attend public schools that are clean and safe, and staffed with professionals who will inspire them to become intelligent and healthy adults.
For far too long, persistent crime and poor-performing public schools have been stubborn obstacles to the City reaching its potential. I believe that both Acting Commissioner Bealefeld and Dr. Alonso know that the stakes are high for our City, and that failure is not an option. Baltimore’s future depends on their ability to show leadership in law enforcement and public education, and our City will ultimately realize its true promise if these leaders can meet that challenge with courage and conviction. As City Council president, I commit to working with both gentlemen to reach these ambitious goals.
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council
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President's CitySpot
HARBEL Community Organization is Finalist in National Contest: Vote Online to Show Your Support for Their Work
HARBEL Community Organization is an umbrella group representing 25 community associations in North Baltimore.
Recently, HARBEL was selected as a regional winner of the Rezoom.com "A Better World" Contest. The contest honors local non-profit organizations that make a difference, inspire us to take action, and make the world a better place through community-based services. Through its work to end the cycle of poverty and addiction, HARBEL has been honored as a Regional Winner, and is now one of only 21 local organizations nationwide competing for a $100,000 grand prize to further its services and outreach. HARBEL is the only Maryland organization currently competing.
But HARBEL can not win without the support of those who believe in its services, and those who support its mission. The winner will be determined solely by the ability to marshal supporters and get people to support HARBEL by voting online. Voting begins on July 9 and lasts for 30 days, ending on Aug. 10. Supporters can vote once a day for thirty days! Garnering the consistent, daily support of voters throughout Baltimore is what will make HARBEL honored as the Best Non-profit Organization in the United States.
Voting is very easy: just log onto www.rezoom.com/abetterworld and follow the registration directions.
President's CitySpot
Have an exciting news item on achievements
in Baltimore's neighborhoods?
Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's CitySpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at mwilliams@baltimorecitycouncil.com.
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City Council This Week
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
3:00 PM Curran Conference Room, 4th floor, City Hall
LO-0035 Computer Demonstration - "Extender Program"
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Jack Young - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0719 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - Health Department - $85,100
07-0720 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - Health Department - $383,523 CANCELLED
07-0721 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $1,000,000
07-0722 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $100,000
07-0723 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Mayoralty - $500,000
07-0724 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Mayoralty - $790,000
07-0725 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $100,000
07-0726 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $200,000
07-0727 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $200,000
07-0728 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $250,000
07-0729 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $500,000
07-0730 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Office of Employment Development - $412,000
07-0731 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Office of Employment Development - $700,000
Community Events
Friday, July 20
Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9 pm
Free outdoor concerts every Friday
Featuring: Sons of Pirates
Details at www.belvederesquare.com
Little Italy Friday Night Outdoor Movies
High and Stiles Streets, 9:00pm
Featuring: The Da Vinci Code PG-13 126 min
Saturday, July 21
Station North Flea Market
12pm – 5pm
Station North Arts and Entertainment District
Charles St. and North Ave.
Details at www.stationnorth.org
Belvedere Square Outdoor Concert Films
8:30pm
Belvedere Square capitalizes on its already successful concert series
by bringing free concert films to the area. So, strap on your dancing shoes for another night of great music
at Belvedere Square!
Tonight's feature: The Police: Everyone Stares
July 20-22
Artscape
July 20-22, Friday, 12-10pm, Saturday, 12-10pm and Sunday, 12-8pm,
1200 block of Mt. Royal Avenue
The region's premier celebration of the arts featuring continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on four outdoor stages, indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions and more.
Details at www.artscape.org
Monday, July 23
Just For Teens: Jewelry Making
Enoch Pratt Free Library- Forest Park,
3023 Garrison Blvd.
5:30 p.m.
410-396-0942 Free
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Music In The Parks Summer Concert Series
7 pm - 8:30 pm,
Wyman Park, Tudor Arms Ave. & 37th St
Performing-David Bach
Tuesday, July 24
Community Conversation with new Baltimore City Public Schools CEO, Dr. Andrés Alonso
St. Martin Catholic Church, 1725 W. Fayette St.
6 pm - 8 pm
Pepsi Jazz in Center Court
Mondawmin Mall, 2401 Liberty Heights Avenue, 6-8 pm
Featuring - Green Tea - Neo Soul/Jazz
Wednesday, July 25
Community Conversation with new Baltimore City Public Schools CEO, Dr. Andrés Alonso
Coppin State University Dining Hall, 2500 W. North Ave.
6 pm - 8 pm
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Music In The Parks Summer Concert Series
7 pm - 8:30 pm,
Mt. Vernon Park
Performing-David Bach
Thursday, July 26
Flicks from the Hill: Outdoor Film Series
Hughes Family Outdoor Movie Theater:
American Visionary Arts Museum
800 Key Highway,9pm Info: 410-244-1900
Featuring: Edward Scissorhands, PG-13, 105 min
Auditions for the Handel Choir of Baltimore
July 26 & 27
Details at
www.handelchoir.org or 410-366-6544
Upcoming
A Taste of Charm City Wine, Food, Art and Jazz Benefit For The Baltimore City Cancer Program
Saturday, July 28, 2007 8pm - 12am
The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute & Cultural Center 847 N. Howard St.
Tickets $35 443-831-5824
Baltimore International Festival
July 28-29, noon-9 p.m. daily
Poly/Western High School parking lot,
Falls Road and W. Cold Spring Lane
International Festival, a celebration of Baltimore's cultural diversity with music, dancing and a variety of ethnic foods, and a two-day international soccer competition. Info: 410-396-3141
Baltimore Restaurant Week July 30-August 5, 2007
Details at www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com
Virgin Festival
August 4-5, Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Avenue
Colossal 2-day rock concert featuring over 30 bands including The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Velvet Revolver, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper, Wu Tang Clan, Amy Winehouse, Matisyahu and more. Details at www.virginfestival.com
Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival
August 9-11
20 Free concerts for the Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival to be held at Bond Street Wharf Landing (Thames & Bond Sts.), Harbor Pointe (900 S. Caroline St.) and Power Plant Live! Details at www.paetecjazz.com
Naija Fest Nigerian Festival
August 11-12, Patterson Park
Details at www.nyamaryland.org 443-570-6947
Pow-Wow Native American Festival
August 24-26, Patterson Park
Details at www.baic.org 410-675-3535
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