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| This week, I introduced a comprehensive plan to fix Baltimore's devastating $121 million budget deficit without drastically cutting public safety and essential City services or raising property taxes.
The Comprehensive Plan would close the $121 million budget deficit with roughly $70 million in spending reductions (60%) and $50 million in new diversified revenue (40%) to fill critical service gaps outlined in the earlier Preliminary Budget. The primary objectives of the Comprehensive Plan are:
- Restore critical service gaps in public safety, infrastructure, recreation and health.
- Avoid real estate tax increases on city homeowners and businesses.
- Balance the burden among residents, non-residents, businesses and non-profits.
- Provide citizens choices to avoid new taxes and promote environmental goals.
- Prevent up to 355 layoffs.
The Comprehensive Plan will fully fund the City's obligation to public schools, maintain every single police officer and firefighter, reduce fire company closures over the current fiscal year, keep all community libraries open, and fund effective after-school programs. The Comprehensive Plan restores funding for many important City services that are cut in the Preliminary Plan. These restorations include:
- Fully maintain all sworn police positions and maintain funding for foxtrot, marine and mounted units.
- Restore all fire suppression positions and reduce rotating fire company closures from four in FY 2010 to three in FY 2011.
- Restore funding for recreation centers to the FY 2010 level. All centers will remain open through the summer while a long-term recreation center plan is developed.
- Restore funding to open all swimming pools for six to seven weeks.
- Restore funding to resurface 200 lane miles and maintain current 48 hour pothole repair lead time.
- Restore the Senior Recreation Program.
- Restore funding to the FY 2010 level to maintain animal control officers and shelter services.
- Restore bulk trash pickup.
Just like any family, a financial crisis of this magnitude has the power to rip us apart or bring us closer together. We must choose the constructive path and work together to fill these critical gaps in services and do what is necessary for our great City. The Comprehensive Plan requires City Council approval and I need your support to protect our priorities and do what is right for Baltimore. Please contact your City Council Member to share your thoughts as the budget process continues.
If the City Council approves the Comprehensive Plan, Baltimore can continue to make progress on core priorities including public safety and public education without raising property taxes. We can increase efforts to target Baltimore's most violent and dangerous criminals, reduce gun violence and invest in smart crime-camera technology. We can reduce closures of fire companies to decrease response times. We can fully fund our City's obligation to public education. We can keep our community libraries open and fund after school programs that work. We can improve our network of recreation centers.
I've had the great honor of serving as Mayor of Baltimore for a total of 71 days. And despite this unprecedented fiscal crisis, I know that Baltimore's best days are ahead. Baltimore will not be defined by crisis and cuts. We won't allow it. Instead, we will be defined by how we confront this crisis, together with honesty and shared sacrifice, so that our City can emerge better, safer, and stronger. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Community Health Survey
The Baltimore City Health Department has released the results of the first Community Health Survey. Data from the study will help public health officials better understand issues such as diabetes and hypertension prevalence, mental health needs, and perceptions of neighborhood safety. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Health Department's Website, http://www.baltimorehealth.org. |
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Pre-K/Kindergarten Registration Pre-K and kindergarten give our youngest students the foundation they need for a successful education. Register your 4 or 5 year-old in a City Schools Pre-K or kindergarten program for the 2010-11 school year. Visit the City Schools website at www.baltimorecityschools.org to find your neighborhood school. Join us and help your child's great future start early.
Saturday, April 17, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Mondawmin Mall
April 19-23
Open House at schools. Contact your zoned school directly for times.
Saturday, April 24 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Port Discovery "Countdown to Kindergarten" |
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Census Saturday Health Screening and Job Fair
Saturday, April 17, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
The 44th Legislative District Complete Count Committee will be holding a series of health screenings and mini job fairs, conveniently located at neighborhood supermarkets. Census information will also be available.
Events will take place at the following locations:
Hollins Market-Union Square
Stop Shop and Save-Pennsylvania Avenue
Food Depot-Westside Shopping Center
Save A Lot-McMechen Street |
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Baltimore Retail Week April 16-25
Baltimore Retail Week aims to build awareness of Downtown's unique retail stores and encourage residents and visitors to shop Downtown. Nearly 60 Downtown retailers will offer discounted purchases.
For a complete list of participating retailers, discount deals, and other Baltimore Retail Week events, visit www.baltimoreretailweek.com. |
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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's Spring Cleanup Saturday, April 17, 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Join your neighbors, the Department of Public Works, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in cleaning up locations that need a special attention. Community representatives should call 311 to register. This year marks the 11th Annual Spring Cleanup.
For more information call 311. |
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Grow Greenmount Saturday, April 17, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Visit your favorite Greenmount Avenue businesses for a community sidewalk sale. Participating merchants will feature free food, music, and giveaways. At 2:00 pm, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will lead citizens in a march, to fight back against claims that the neighborhood is unsafe.
For more information, contact Jermaine Johnson at 410-261-3512 or jjohnson@greaterhomewood.org, or visit www.greaterhomewood.org. |
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War of 1812 Re-enactment Sunday, April 18, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Clifton Mansion stands today as the only remaining home in Baltimore City of a military officer in the War of 1812. The funds from this event, which will feature Clifton Mansion tours and a celebration of Captain Henry Thompson, will go toward the restoration of the mansion, 2701 St. Lo Drive.
For more information, call 410-604-2319. |
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Congressman Cummings' Annual Job Fair Monday, April 19, 9:00 am-2:00 pm
More than 70 employers will attend the fair, all expressing interest in hiring new workers. Other resources include information about health care resources, energy assistance programs, Veterans Affairs, and the IRS. The job fair will be held at the Fifth Regiment Armory, corner of Dolphin and North Howard Streets.
For more information, call 410-685-9199. |
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Forest Park Senior Center Health & Wellness Day Tuesday, April 20, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
This event will present healthy living information at the Forest Park Senior Center, 4801 Liberty Heights Avenue.
For more information, call 410-466-2154. |
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Unemployment Insurance in Maryland Workshop Thursday, April 22, 9:00 am-11:00 am
This event will help you understand the basics of Unemployment Insurance (UI) eligibility, recent policy changes, and what a worker can do if they feel they have been wrongfully denied benefits. Join us to build a better understanding of how the system works, and learn valuable tips on how to help your clients navigate the system.
For more information, call 443-692-9420. |
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Autism Zone Event Thursday, April 22, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
During April, National Autism Awareness Month, The League for People with Disabilities will create an "Autism Zone" to help foster a better understanding of this condition and how it affects the daily lives of individuals and their families. This event, held at 1111 East Cold Spring Lane, is FREE and open to the public.
For more information, www.leagueforpeople.org or call 410-323-0500. |
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Muslim Community Cultural Center's 6th Annual Open House April 23-26
Featuring Amir Muhammad's nationally acclaimed exhibit "Islam in America" and Imam Wali Uqdah's exhibit "Islam in Baltimore," Admission to the open house is FREE. Advance calls for groups of 10 or more are requested. The Muslim Community Cultural Center is located at 3401 West North Avenue.
For more information call 443-621-7449 or 443-506-5970 or visit www.asmib.com. |
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Regional Day of Service Saturday, April 24, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
This conference will focus on foster care, "A Link to A Brighter Future." Information will be available about becoming a foster parent, child welfare, and supporting the foster care system. Join Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at 1400 West Lexington Street (Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School) for a day of information, free food, and entertainment. |
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Outward Bound 2010 Cornerstone Awards Dinner Thursday, May 6
The Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center invites you to join them for their 2010 Annual Cornerstone Awards Dinner. This year's honorees are Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III, and Amy Macht, President of Regional Management and President of the Morton and Sophia Macht Foundation. The event will be held at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Outward Bound Leadership Center in Leakin Park.
For more information contact Jim Cooney at 410-448-1721, ext. 1119, or jcooney@outwardbound.org. |
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