City Council To Citizens: Buzz Off!!!

Harbor Point approved.*

Now including $95 million of federal highway funds. 

• $88 million enterprise tax credits
• $24 brownfield credits (even though the site was cleared for building in 1997) 
• $44 million tax reimbursements from the state
• $95 million federal highway funds for bridges and roads
• $13 million utilities
• $2 million Crossroads Academy $$

___
$266 million
+
$174 million interest on $107 million loan
___
$440 million
+ $200 million in lost in state education funding

$640 million cost to taxpayers. 

Figures above courtesy of Baltimore Crime Blog

Despite one of the greatest series of protests, and citizen outcry concerning a council measure ever seen, Baltimore City Council decided to forgo their duty of representing their constituents, by voting for the Harbor Point TIF. The council voted Monday in favor of over $100 million in corporate welfare, to an already wealthy developer. The Baltimore Brew Has more details.







Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. Despite this, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Related articles

• Baltimore City Council panel passes Harbor Point TIF
• City Council votes on Harbor Point tax plan
• City Council members in tiff over Harbor Point TIF
• Full City Council advances Harbor Point TIF

Councilman Attempts To Connect With Constituents Via Twitter...

Story below is a breaking news item, subject to further editing and additions. Check back later for more.

After being virtually a non entity on Twitter for ages (pocket tweets don't count), Baltimore City Councilman Carl Stokes declared Monday night he's going to reach out more via the social media service.

We wish the good councilman well. If he needs help or ideas on engagement, we'll be here for him.

Detroit's bankrupt, Baltimore City Councilman Bobby Curran's bankrupt. Who's next, Baltimore City?

Can A Bankrupt Councilman Be Trusted By A City Facing Fiscal Woes?

Filed by A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

Agitator-In-Chief

@BaltoSpectator

For the 1.21 to 1.25 million Americans who will file for bankruptcy this year, the move represents a low point in their lives. 

The reasons for filing are as varied as fingerprints; loss of income due to unemployment, unexpected disability and other health issues, and often just poor money management. In this era of frequent downsizing, layoffs, and company closings, there are many Americans seriously hurting.

When a gainfully employed, 18 year Baltimore City Council veteran, -- part of a political family dynasty -- files for bankruptcy, should the public be concerned? Or is it just a personal matter that ought to remain private?

GIVE CITY HALL A PIECE OF YOUR MIND

Baltimore City Council Taxpayers Night

TONIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010

6:00 pm

at the

War Memorial Building

(Enter from Lexington Street, just east of Gay.)

Citizens are invited to sign-in and speak-up

about your funding priorities.

Sign-in usually begins at 5:30 pm.

(Please be sure to have picture ID.)

Metered parking is available “under the Expressway,”

at Gay & Saratoga, where the Sunday Farmers Market is held.

Embattled Senator Theatre Owner Lashes Out At City Councilman

Tom Kiefaber Vs. Councilman Bill Henry

The picture on the left is part of the the growing public feud between the Senator Theatre owner Tom Kiefaber, and Baltimore City Councilman Bill Henry, whose district includes the marguee theatre.

A contentious exchange posted on the Friends of the Senator Theatre blog site has caused quite a stir in the North Baltimore/York Rd. corridor. On Monday, theater owner Tom Kiefaber wrote an open letter to Councilman Bill Henry and posted it on the site. Tuesday, Henry wrote back and his response follows Kiefaber’s letter on the site.

Here are some excerpts:

Kiefaber To Henry: Your stance of avoidance in refusing to agree to meet at The Senator with your constituents and other concerned citizens is unacceptable. Running out the clock and ducking the issue at this juncture is a dangerous and irresponsible course of action. It’s not how you represented yourself to the community to obtain office.

Councilman Henry To Kiefaber: . . .Tom, any assertion that I have not met with “the community” is an insult…not to me, but to all of the people I have met with, who for their own reasons were not at one particular meeting . . .

As the historic theatre gets closer to foreclosure slae on the auction block, the fireworks are sure to continue to fly. The entire text of the emails can be seen at the Friends of the Senator Theatre.

RELATED:

The Theatre Historical Society of America Awards Tom Kiefaber 'Creating Theatre History' award

The Maryland Daily Record blogs about the Senator Theatre

Citizen Spectators Wanted/Notes From City Council

UPDATE: Charm City Roller Girls Flock To Site
Welcome! Feel free to comment below article.

Rawlings-Blake A Charm City Roller Girl?

As usual there was a lot going on at last night's weekly city council meeting. While we wish to increase civil awareness., it is impossible for one reporter to cover in detail the many and varied issues brought up at these meetings. Quite frankly, let it be officially known, we are openly seeking "citizen spectators." Volunteers, who as time enables, can attend various city government functions and meetings in areas of interest to them, and write a simple summary report and maybe take a few photos or video.

BALTIMORE SPECTATOR EXCLUSIVE

If you weren't at the meeting last night, you probably don't know that Baltimore's own President of The City Council, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, openly declared to all in attendance at City Hall, that she is contemplating joining up with nationally famous Charm City Roller Girls! Now that I'd pay money to see. Of course, in a town with a lack of a comprehensive media, this was not reported anywhere except here. Oh, and did I mention today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

In joining the roller league, she would be in fine company with previous council member politician/athletes. Former council member now mayor Sheila Dixon is a 3rd degree black belt, an avid bicyclist, and from what I hear, a boxer with a mean right hook, look out opposition! Former council member, then mayor, now Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley pumps iron with a vengeance. Trust me, I've seen it with my own eyes.

We already know Madame President has a bit of a sporting side. Last September 11th, Rawlings-Blake along with a host of others from city government (see photo), and even yours truly, participated in a 5K Run/Walk to raise money for police and fire charities. I regretfully report to you, Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, a man older than me, soundly beat me and finished the run several minutes ahead of me. Commissioner, if you're listening, this year I want to challenge you to a rematch.

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT, BECOME A SPECTATOR

In an age where everyone, including our own Baltimore City Council is talking open government and transparency, we are not only hoping for our local elected officials to welcome this initiative, but perhaps even assist in it, or direct some of their constituents towards this 100% volunteer, not for profit, public information/public awareness endeavor.

In all of my years of observing government, both from the inside as an employee or contractor, and from the outside as a citizen, one of the things that bothers me the most is how little people seem to be aware of the process of government. People are quick to complain and call up their representatives when they have a problem, but the actual way the machine works is a mystery to most.

We welcome anyone interested in joining our crusade of shining a spotlight on local government to step up and be counted. Even if you only want to be a one time corespondent, that would be helpful too. So come on, don't just sit there, send me an email, tell your friends about this, suggest others you know take part.

Managing editor A.F. James MacArthur may be contacted by email; AF.JamesMacArthur@gmail.com or by calling 202-321-9203.

The Shadow Commissioner, Sheryl Goldstein

BALTIMORE SPECTATOR EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Sources claim Commissioner Bealefeld merely a puppet of Mayor's Office
The Baltimore Police Department continues to remain a source of much controversy and juicy new columns. Widespread speculation continues on who is actually in charge of the police department. Sources from deep inside city hall and the Baltimore Police department tell The Baltimore Spectator that Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld is not actually the person in charge of the Baltimore Police Department. While publicly Bealefeld receives unanimous praise and admiration from the City Council, many insiders allege that he serves mainly as a visual leader with actual policy and decision making being performed by others, mainly Sheryl Goldstein (pictured left) of the Mayor's Office Of Criminal Justice.

Bealefeld has publicly admitted to not being the one to develop new policy. Concerning the controversial policy change of no longer releasing the names of officers involved in shootings, Bealefeld testified before the City Council that new PR man Anthony Guglielmi, Director of Public Affairs Division, actually created the policy. We wonder what other policies and decisions were not made by Bealefeld. The question still remains, who's actually in charge? Where's the leadership? This revelation brought immediate criticism from senior Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke among others. Many in city hall and the department were troubled by, but remain reluctant to come forward.

Members of the City Council have gone on record with The Spectator in supporting Bealefeld (see video), even going as far as saying they will not micro manage the police department. The Mayor's office on the other hand, may see things differently.

For a department that has been controversial and under fire, including repeated inquiries from the Justice Department and ongoing investigations of widespread corruption, officer misconduct, and institutional racism, knowing who is actually in charge is very important. Public trust and confidence in the Baltimore Police Department is at an all time low.

Mayor Sheila Dixon's office, nor the Baltimore City Council, or the Baltimore Police Department will go on record in discussing this, however, The Baltimore Spectator can reveal, without any reservations, our sources stand behind this shocking claim.

developing....


RELATED:

Commissioner Bealefeld Testifies Before City Council -- Explains Controversial Policy Change

ANOTHER BAD COP: Baltimore Police Busted Stealing

Bad Cops: Baltimore Cop Robbed Store

Police Shoot Man Dead -- Female Officer Struggled, Lethal Forced Gave Her The Win

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