Candidates for Baltimore City Council 2nd District

A: There are a number of bills that I would like to introduce, including tax cuts for small businesses and creating an independent oversight committee to monitor spending on education.  However, the first piece of legislation I would introduce would be to increase funding to the States Attorney’s office so that more prosecutors can be hired.

A: I certainly would not increase the number. I think 14 is fine. I think 8 is fine too. It is not a matter of 8 vs 14, but really a matter of having the right people who have good ethics, character and good decision-making skills to lead the city in the right direction. I would rather have 8 good ones, than 14 status quo career politicians. I’ll be voting yes on that measure, simply to the fact that we are losing population, and it will save us some money.  But my dream is for Baltimore to grow again and in time I would be supportive of going back to 14.

A: DPW comes to mind.  I would provide proper oversight on these agencies to make sure funds are being spent correctly.  DPW employees work very hard and we need to make sure they are paid well and safe.   We need to give DPW the tools so that they can better handle trash.   I want our city to be on the list of cleanest cities.

A: There are aspects of MONSE that I like, but I really think we need to reassess what is working and what is not working and redirect funds to community groups that show more results.   Our communities have low trust in our police officers because of a long history of abuses. We will never get crime under control until our communities feel that police are on their side and can be trusted.  We can work on this!  It will take time.   I would increase funding to States Attorney’s office so more prosecutors can be hired.   I think we need an increase on sentences of illegal gun possession.  We need to hire more police officers but only hire the best of the best.  And police need to do more traffic stops which will lead to more arrests for illegal gun possessions and outstanding warrants.

A: If we have proper oversight on spending in our city, we will cut out the waste which will allow us to lower property taxes.

A: As a social worker, I have found that when people have the support resources available to them, who they trust, they will reach out.  This means increasing our funding to drug rehab programs around the city that treats the addiction itself but also the emotional and human component. This means making sure there are case managers, community health workers and peer support services that people struggling can go to for help.

A: We have a national problem of lack of affordable housing, which is not unique to just Baltimore.   Inflation has hurt our people at the grocery store and just about everywhere else, including sky rocketing rent.  In my capacity as a council member, I would do everything in my power to encourage investors to build more housing in our city.  I would be pro-growth, pro- low taxes, which will make more investors willing to build.   When this happens, prices will drop.

A: We need to increase the vacant to value housing market.  However, investors will not invest into this program until we improve crime and people want to move in and buy homes again in the city.   So if we fix our crime problem, we will encourage investors to revitalize our vacant properties.

A: I do support the plans for Harborplace. We will never get our city to number 1, until we start revitalizing. I am pro-growth. But as stated before, crime needs to improve. That is why I would focus on that issue first.

A: If I am chosen by the people to serve as Council member, I would leave my current job as a social worker so that I can focus full time on the job as Council member. My only job will be as Council member.   Although I will remain a social worker.

A: I would like to start proper oversight of our education system and its spending. The test results and graduation rates year after year are unexpectable. If we give our students the education they deserve, they will be better prepared to get top jobs.

A: I have been a social worker for the past 20 years, helping folks get back on their feet and leading them to better lives. I care about the people of Baltimore and will always have the back of the people. I will never put special interests ahead of any person. My true north will always be the will and best interests of the people.