Young Says 'No' to Clack

The battle over the budget, and cuts to the fire department, continued for a little bit longer during Monday’s City Council meeting. While voting on second reader to approve executive appointments, City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young was the only member to vote against reappointing Fire Chief James Clack.

During budget season, Young that would have kept three firehouses open that were closed in the mayor’s budget. Despite the objections of the firefighters union, Clack supported the mayor’s proposal to close those stations.

Derecho Hearing Approved

The council unanimously approved Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke’s resolution calling for an informational hearing with BGE officials about the lessons learned in the wake of the June derecho, which left many North Baltimore for days.  That hearing has been scheduled for 5 p.m., on Sept. 15 in the Du Burns Council Chambers. 

Restaurant Sanitation Grades Sent to Commitee

Councilman Brandon Scott’s bill, which would create a and require restaurants, bars and food trucks to post the results where customers could see, was introduced Monday, and assigned to the Health Committee. A hearing for the legislation has not yet been scheduled.

Bill Bans Household Waste from Public Trashcans

Councilman James Kraft has introduced a bill that would allow the city to fine anyone dumping any item other than litter in a trashcan on any “sidewalk, street, open space, wharf or other public space” $500.  Kraft said the bill was needed because too many residents were using these trashcans to dispose of household waste.  The bill was assigned to the Judiciary and Legislative Investigation Committee, but a hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet. 

Of Note:

Stephanie Murdock—who helped to build a skatepark in Hampden—is now serving as Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke’s director of legislation. She is replacing Jermaine Johnson, who is now of Waverly Main Street  

Media Round-Up

The Baltimore Sun reports the city’s ethics board is looking into tickets to concerts provided to city officials and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the company that runs 1st Mariner Arena.

WBFF-TV, Fox 45, follows up on the ticket story and takes a look at the little known ethics board, which makes decisions about what constitutes an ethics violation.

WBAL-TV, NBC 11, reports that the Board of Estimates approved $2,000 on Wednesday for the Baltimore Police Department to send a security detail with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and her family during a vacation in California.

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