Dear Citizen

It’s difficult to find the words to describe what it has meant to lead this City: to lay out a vision for a cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer Baltimore and actually see that vision come to pass; and, to wake up every morning and feel both the blessing and the burden of so many hard choices and know the impact they can have.

But if I had to choose just a couple of words to describe my administration, the amazing staff that so humbly served me, and our many, many partners in the community, I would simply say this: we cared. Though it sounds trite, in the world of politics it’s hard to lead with your heart versus your ambition, but we did. As I look back, there will be many great accomplishments for me to be proud of, but this one, perhaps, is the greatest of them all. Every other accomplishment we made was a result of this simple action.

When it came to crime, we focused on saving lives not on statistics. We targeted individuals that were the most violent offenders, created a gun registry to keep illegal guns off our streets, and spent countless hours on the ground in our communities. The loss of one life is one too many, but I am proud to say that we experienced a lower homicide rate in the last two years than we have in the past two decades.

We focused not just on bricks and mortar, but we focused on developing people. We invested in our citizens from prenatal care all the way to the end of life. We taught our children how to play volleyball and invited them to play free video games at ESPN Zone through our PEACE (Pledge to Engage Actions Considerate of Everyone) Baltimore initiative while we visited our seniors on Mother’s Day and traveled all across the City to host free workouts through Be Fit Baltimore. In 2008, with the input of community and advocates for children and the poor, we moved $14 million dollars in funding for afterschool programs from the supplemental budget to the base budget.

By moving funding into the base budget for the first time, programs such as After School Matters, Home Visiting for Pregnant Women, and Community Schools, were guaranteed funding each year. This step signaled that these programs were not ancillary; rather, a core part of our City’s priorities. These are not the programs that one chooses for political gain because the results are not reaped for years, sometimes even decades, but we knew the return on our investment from human development was too precious to let it pass us by.

We cared for those who weren’t yet able to care for themselves. When there were snow storms and many of us had the chance to stay home from work, there were city employees that literally walked through the snow to ensure our homeless population sought shelter. We had the courage to believe that we could end homelessness through our ten year strategic plan and as a result we have made huge strides. We now have a record number of shelter beds for homeless individuals. Over the past two years we have placed more homeless individuals in permanent housing than ever before. This year, construction began on Baltimore’s first permanent shelter for 275 homeless individuals, and we have created Baltimore’s first 24-hour, year-round housing resource center.

Block by block, we cared for our neighborhoods. We fixed our streets. The City has repaved or repaired a record number of lane miles, over 600, over the past three years through its Operation Orange Cone initiative. We cleaned our streets. Each year, thousands of residents from all over the City joined us to rake leaves and pick up trash at our annual Spring Clean Up and over the past couple of years we have increased mechanical street sweeping services by 32%!

We attended countless community meetings to talk to residents about single stream recycling and our One Plus One initiatives, helping them understand the benefits of recycling. As a result, we doubled recycling in 2008 and AGAIN in 2009. We helped communities transform vacant lots into gardens, pulling neighborhoods together to breathe life into their communities and we reinvigorated our nation’s oldest existing environmental program, the Afro Clean Block, to challenge citizens all across the City to clean and beautify their neighborhoods.

In 2008, we created the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability to create a roadmap to ensure that we meet the environmental, social, and economic needs of Baltimore without compromising the ability of future generations to meet those needs. Now, according to SustainLane’s 2008 rankings, we are one of the most sustainable cities in America.

We planted seeds for our future. Baltimore, there is an energy and vibrancy in our City that is rapidly gaining momentum as more and more young professionals, empty nesters, entrepreneurs, and artists are discovering the hidden jewels of our City and the authenticity of our charm. Our downtown now ranks 7th in the nation for population density and 8th for number of residents that make more than $75,000 a year. We have made getting around downtown easier and greener through the launch of the Downtown Circulator, and soon, our City will be connected from east to west by the Red Line. Everywhere you look in Baltimore you see development. From the Westside Superblock to advancing the development of EBDI, we made investments that will bring jobs, vibrancy, and economic success.

We even changed how people see Baltimore. Despite the challenging economic times, Visit Baltimore’s convention sales bookings have increased. In Fiscal Year 2008, the sales team booked 451,608 future room nights, 70,000 more room nights and an 18 percent increase over bookings in Fiscal Year 2007.

And these are just a few of our accomplishments. Much more of the fruits of our labor will be realized way beyond this year or even our lifetime, but I am so thankful that we have had the opportunity to plant the seeds.

As I prepare for my final days in office and reflect, I am thankful for my dedicated staff and all of our community partners. I am humbled by all that we have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time and I firmly believe we have built a foundation that will reap progress and change for Baltimore for generations to come. But out of all our accomplishments, the one I am most proud of is, perhaps, the simplest of them all: we cared for people.

It is because we led by our hearts and we cared that we were able to accomplish all other things. As I learned through my career in public service-through my successes and my failures, through my good times and bad times- in life, if you can accomplish that one thing, the one that is the greatest one of all, that’s all that really matters.

I love this City. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

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After six days of deliberation, the jury in the corruption case against Mayor Sheila Dixon (Baltimore, MD) came to a decision today. They found Mayor Dixon guilty on one out of five counts against her. She was found guilty of taking gift cards intended to be given to “the city’s poor.” This according to the Baltimore Sun:

The jury convicted Dixon of embezzlement for violating her fiduciary duties to the city and citizens of Baltimore by using about $530 in Target and Best Buy gift cards purchased in December 2005 by developer Patrick Turner. The developer testified the cards were intended for “the children of Baltimore.” Dixon was City Council president at the time.

Clarification is yet to arrive pertaining to if she will have to serve some jail time (a scenario that has been deemed unlikely) or if she’ll have to relinquish office as Mayor of Baltimore. I’m sure more details will be provided in the coming days on that.

I’ve personally not written much about this trial because of my disdain for the circus that was born around it and my genuine sadness about Ms. Dixon’s misfortune. I’ve been a staunch political opponent of Mayor Dixon for some years now. I’ve called her out about her involvement in gentrification initiatives in Baltimore, her support of slots in the city, and her lackluster support of Baltimore City Public Schools. I’ve also decried her relentless allegiance to the Martin O’Malley political machine.

However, despite my political opposition, I have no personal qualms with her. We’ve never met so I couldn’t have a sincere personal beef with her. I’m sorrowful for her and her family today. Some might say I need to be more sorrowful for the residents of the city who have had to endure political corruption for decades and that might be true. But watching Ms. Dixon at the post-trial press conference today really tugged at a different place in me. She was noticeably dejected and trying her best to put on a strong face. It was hard to watch.

Given the history of the “injustice system” toward the African in America community – detailed in books like On The Courthouse Lawn by Sherrilyn Ifill – I must confess that it’s hard for me to watch the courts convict a person of color in the name of “justice.” Especially, when many believe that she’s done no more than (and probably much less) than Governor Martin O’Malley – her longtime political ally.

The legacy of the Courts injustice toward those who have been kissed by the sun is so voluminous, that it’s hard to give its decisions much moral weight.

That’s why Black Christians testify in church about Jesus being a “lawyer in the courtroom.” It’s because the courtroom has been a place where Black folks have been humiliated, persecuted, sold, and lynched. To get out of the courtroom unscathed had to be an act of Jesus himself. Only divine intervention could liberate Black folks from the grip of the White Power Structure’s version of justice.

Watching Ms. Dixon at the post-trial press conference made me say to myself, “There goes another one who got caught up in that snare.” I’m not standing for her innocence nor am I suggesting that she’s a paragon of virtue. I’m simply making observation and maybe even trying to articulate the angst in the soul’s of some of Baltimore’s Black folk who’ve been watching this situation unfold.

As I said on my facebook page last week, if Ms. Dixon retains her mayoral position, then for sure I’ll be there to challenge her on those policies that I feel run contrary to our community’s development, but today I’m praying for her and her family.

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Despite this, the Mayor still seems marginally popular in the city. The pockets of Baltimoreans who have decried her political activity over the years were no match for the O’Malley political machine which made sure that Dixon won the mayoral election of 2007.

The representative from her camp asked pastors of the IMA to attend the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast which is slated for Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:00 – 11:00AM at the Forum Caterers in Baltimore.

Soon after the IMA meeting, I received a call from the organizers of this event. I was requested to offer an opening prayer at the Prayer Breakfast. I found this quite odd for any number of reasons. First, though the IMA endorsed Sheila Dixon for Mayor in 2007, I could not in good conscience lend my name to that endorsement. After examining her lengthy record in Baltimore politics, I did not think it was in the best interest of Baltimoreans (especially the majority of the city’s residents, i.e. Black folks) to have Ms. Dixon as our Mayor. I respected the decision of elders within the IMA, but chose to stay away that day. Second, I have regularly been highly critical of Ms. Dixon via this blog and other media outlets. I have challenged her policies, decried her staunch loyalty to the O’Mally political machine, and had op-eds printed in the local Afro American Newspaper openly critiquing her record. Just last week, I was interviewed by a freelancer for a national magazine covering Mayor Dixon. Why me? They were looking for a critical voice to add to their piece!

So for them to call me to give the opening prayer at this Prayer Breakfast was highly puzzling. Either they don’t know me or they are attempting something more sinister like eliminating my voice (and the voices of her other critics) by pulling me into the camp.

“I’m not doing it,” I told my wife.

“How are you not going to pray for somebody? Aren’t pastors supposed to pray for everbody?” she quipped.

That sent me for a mental loop. Yea, that’s right. I am a pastor now. I’m supposed to pray for everybody right? But what if my prayer upsets everything they’re trying to do at this Prayer Breakfast? I gotta be me. My prayer would come from my heart. If I am to be me – and I tend to be authentic no matter the setting – my communication with God on the Mayor’s behalf would be unhindered, uncensored, and probably would have a “oh no he didn’t” edge to it – not outright rude, but truthful. As forthright and outspoken as I can be; I don’t enjoy being unruly just for the sake of it. Why mess up their event?

They don’t want any trouble, but you can’t ignore the cool relationship that the Mayor has with the clergy in my circle right now. Even at the IMA meeting, an awkward silence followed the presentation by the Mayor’s representative. Eventually it came out at the meeting. Mayor Dixon has not been responsive to the segment of the Faith community in which I am a part since she was elected. The IMA endorsed her for mayor and she has given the IMA the cold shoulder as a result. Now she’s in trouble and needs our help?

And even as I type that, I hear a good sister-friend of mine whispering in my ear: “Heber, it’s the people who most don’t deserve our love and support that need it the most.”

I have been wrestling with what Jesus would do in all of this. In his context, would he have attended the birthday party for Herod Antipas and offered an opening prayer knowing full well that John the Baptizer (whom Marcus Borg identifies as Jesus’ teacher) was locked up and facing a dubious future because of Herod’s own decree? I just can’t see it.

But what I do believe is that Jesus would have found an opportunity if some invitation was ever extended to bring forth some creative, nonviolent act of resistance and/or coded critique that would have empowered the oppressed while at the same time disarm the oppressor thus liberating both.

I’m far from Jesus. I’m reaching. I’m journeying toward The Way, but I have a LONG way to go. I’m leaning toward declining being on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Program (word is she might not even be there!), but prayer was requested so let me fulfill my ministerial duties via an open prayer here:

Most Holy God: I bow today first thanking you for who you are in our lives. You are the unwavering strength and support that provides sustenance in every facet of our earthly experience. No matter the circumstances, you never change. For that we say, “Thank you.” And today at this Prayer Breakfast Lord, we gather to humbly request your guidance on behalf of your daughter, Sheila Dixon. Dear God, during these trying and tense times, give her the internal fortitude to unflinchingly face the persecution that has come her way. Surround her with those who will tell her the truth in love and stand with her in this time of challenge. Bless her with moments of reflection and if necesseary rededication to how You would want her to honor You in her role as mayor. As You bless her with grace might You remind her of the families in East Baltimore who are threatened in the shadow of Johns Hopkins’ gentrification plans. Your grace extends to them as well. As You bless her with support might You remind her of the youth in Baltimore who grow without safe places to play and learn. Your support extends to them as well. As You bless her with love remind her of the families in South Baltimore who will be presented with occassions to stumble by way of slot machines. Your love extends to them as well. Finally, Lord as You bless her with mercy remind her of those whom she has shown mercy to as well. Thank you for making room for redemption. Might we all take full advantage of every opportunity presented us on our own damascus road. Amen.

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You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.

And for six years, Jack Shannon, head of East Baltimore Development Inc. has been trying to sell a pig to the residents of the beleagured community surrounding the megalith known as Johns Hopkins. A pig with nice, pretty, bright red lipstick that came in the form of “inclusive” community information meetings, job fairs, negro relocation assistance, promises of better schools, meeting space for neighborhood associations, etc. To their credit, the residents of that community eyed much of what Shannon was pushing with healthy doses of suspicion and apprehension. They’d been lied to before and though the Gentrification Bosses employed the assistance of Leading Blacks like Congressman Elijah Cummings, former City Councilwoman Paula Johnson Branch, and State Delegate Hattie Harrison to sell the pig, the people just wouldn’t bend over and take it.

A resistance that may have led, in part, to Shannon’s resignation last week effective April 30, 2009. In a Press Release dated February 5, 2009, Shannon says that he feels that “the iniative’s momentum might be best protected and advanced to meet the next set of challenges with a new set of eyes and new day-to-day leadership at the helm.”

While I don’t suspect that tears will be shed because of Shannon’s departure, I sense that this is troubling news for this social experiment called “community redevelopment.” Just this past October, the Save Middle East Action Coalition gathered to rally and protest the apparent revocation of support for the House for a House Initiative – basically giving residents the right to return to the neighborhood once the reconstruction was complete. Shannon (of course surrounded by Black “Body Guards”) attempted to allay the concerns of the residents by saying that they needed more time and things would still continue as planned. However, his confession of the project having “funding issues” and not having a contractor on board after losing two previous ones, seems to suggest otherwise.

Shannon jumping ship four months after admitting that things were basically falling apart is not a good sign for the residents who live in the “piano” (the term used for the redevelopment area) surrounding Johns Hopkins. If the powerbrokers of this project – Johns Hopkins, Anne E. Casey Foundation, and EBDI – led by it’s well-heeled, politically connected, Director of the Board, Joseph Haskins, head of Harbor Bank (who has interestingly enough contributed more than $32,000 to Maryland’s political elites since 2000) can’t find the money or construction company for the work then that spells big trouble. Who’s going to come through and save the day now? Mayor Sheila Dixon? – she’s a little tied up at the moment. Governor Martin O’Malley? – he’s putting state employees on furlough and proposing cutting funding to EDUCATION of all things!

As I and many others have maintained over these years, this pig stinks and perhaps the stench of it has finally hit the nostrils of Jack Shannon who’s running for cover before it hits the fan, but most of all I fear that its the residents of East Baltimore who will be the ones left in the slop.

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BREAKING NEWS: Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Councilwoman, Helen Holton, have been indicted by a Baltimore City Grand Jury. This from the Baltimore Sun:

Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted
By Annie Linskey and Julie Bykowicz | annie.linskey@baltsun.com and julie.bykowicz@baltsun.com
1:57 PM EST, January 9, 2009
Baltimore Mayor Sheila A. Dixon was charged today in a 12-count indictment, according to the Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office’s Web site.

Dixon was charged with perjury, theft, fraudulent misappropriation and misconduct, stemming from gifts she received from former boyfriend and developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, who was also charged earlier this week.

Dixon has been the target of a nearly three-year probe by State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh into corruption at City Hall, an investigation that has centered on allegations that Dixon has used her office to award lucrative contracts to various people including her sister, her boyfriend and her former campaign chairman.

Dixon is expected to appear this afternoon at a news conference at the Clipper Mill offices of her attorney, Arnold M. Weiner.

READ MORE.

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Delegate Jill Carter, State Comptroller Peter Franchot, City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke and others stand against slots at the polls

Though the results didn’t turn out the way we wanted, I remain amazed at the passion, conviction, and determination of the anti-slots allies who stood their ground in the face of amazing odds.

I personally thank you and remind you that the battle is not over. Stay tuned for next steps in this fight. In the meantime – job well done!

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Here are five reasons why I’m VOTING AGAINST QUESTION 2 TODAY.

1. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON MORAL GROUNDS. The end – in this case funding for education does not justify the means – problem gamblers squandering away their mortgage money, college tuition funds, etc. All money is not equal. The damage that slots will do to families far outweighs any revenues projected to come in.

2. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS. Though the language of the question says that the money will primarily be used for education, that is not the truth. About 48% of projected revenues is slated for education. However, there are no NET dollars coming in. Slots money will simply replace funds that are currently being used for education in Maryland. So while slots money is coming in the front door, existing monies will be pulled out the back door. No net gain. you can be for slots and still be against this plan. Who goes to a car dealer and buys the first car they see? Send this plan back to Annapolis stamped “Returned to Sender.”

3. I’m voting AGAINST Question 2 ON RACIAL GROUNDS. Though the slots proposal designates 1.5% toward Minority Business Investment; what it doesn’t tell you is that that money will come in the form of loans that will be doled out to Minority Businesses and must be repaid with interest. The other parties identified in this proposal get a clean cut of the money. The come to the table get their money and walk away. Minority Businesses will have to jump through the red tape of loan applications and interest rates to borrow money that they must repay.

4. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON SOCIAL GROUNDS. Funds for education was the justification that brought the lottery to Maryland. According to Del. Curt Anderson, it started as one drawing a month and now had grown to the mammoth of drawings almost every day of the week. And who do you think buys the most lottery tickets in the state? People from zip code 21215 – Park Heights. $30 Million comes out of Park Heights every year for the purchase of lottery tickets. And what does Park Heights get in return? Crime, blight, concentrated poverty. Park Heights doesn’t benefit from the lottery and Maryland won’t benefit in the long run from slots.

5. I’m voting AGAINST QUESTION 2 ON THE GROUNDS OF COMMON SENSE. Despite the funding allocations designated in the bill, there are still too many loopholes in the language and red flags in the fiscal note that give lawmakers sway in how this proposal will go down. Too much of it requires voters to trust Governor O’Malley to do the right thing and simply stated, I can’t trust him. As the Mayor of Baltimore, he has proven that his word is suspect. Back in 2003, O’Malley called slots a “morally bankrupt way to fund education.” Robert Ehrlich was Governor then and O’Malley was gearing up to challenge him for the top job in the state. Now he’s for slots. His opinion was a political motivated one – not one derived from his morals, values, or virtues. As shared in a previous post, Sheila Dixon wrote an article speaking against slots in 2003, but when O’Malley changed his position, Dixon and most of the other Democrats changed theirs too. There are no morals there. Annapolis is trying to ram this down the throats of its citizens, but I stand with those who are standing AGAINST Question 2 and protecting our state constitution from something as superfluous as slots.

VOTE AGAINST QUESTION 2! NO SLOTS IN MARYLAND!

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What changed Mayor Dixon?

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And I am of the belief that the moral crisis that revolves around the issue of slot machines in Maryland is demanding that pastors in the “free state” stand up and let their voices be heard. We – as pastors – cannot afford to stand on the sidelines and say nothing as many people are looking for guidance on this issue. We – as pastors – know better than most about the social ills that already plague our community and can only imagine how much more our phones will ring when problem gambling begins to dig its claws even deeper into the psyches of those we say we serve. We – as pastors – will be publicly shamed if we eagerly jump to the podium of public attention to promote our conferences, books, services, or events, but say NOTHING when a vice like slot machine gambling is headed this way to devour our people.

I am thankful for the many pastors who have already made their voices heard on this issue: Pastor Matthew Jones (United Missionary Baptist Convention), Pastor Johnny Golden (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance), Bishop John Schol (Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church), Bishop Doug Miles (Koinonia Baptist Church), Pastor Gregory Perkins (St. Paul Community Baptist Church), Pastor William Calhoun (Trinity Baptist Church), Pastor Jonathan Weaver (Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church), and so many others who are out there standing flat-footed telling everyone who will listen to VOTE NO ON QUESTION 2!

However, there are more pastors, especially those who serve in Baltimore City, who would do well to speak up and make it clear where they stand on slots.

Many of you pastors have already made it clear that you support Obama for President – perhaps it was a kind reference to Obama during your sermon, perhaps it was an Obama t-shirt or hat you wore to a church function – whatever it was, you sent signals to your congregation that you are in support of Barack Obama for president. If you are bold enough to do that, why won’t you say anything about slots?

There are some megaministries – congregations of thousands – in Baltimore with Pastors who are known to be power brokers in the political arena. Some of them stood with Martin O’Malley as he was trying to become Governor. Some of them stood with Sheila Dixon when she was trying to become Mayor. I understand if you are hesitant to speak out because your political friends are for it – even though they were first against it. (O’Malley called slots money a “morally bankrupt way to fund education and in March 2003, Dixon wrote an opinion commentary published in the Baltimore Sun entitled, Don’t gamble with the city’s future “saying that we would be taking steps backward if we allow gambling interests to wreak havoc on Baltimore residents.”)

BUT THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE – The People are more important than your political friendships! The People are more important than any guarantees set to come your way in exchange for your silence.

HOW CAN THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?!

Today the Baltimore Sun referenced Reverend Frank Reid, Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, in an article about Black Churches and the slots issue:

The Rev. Frank M. Reid III, pastor of the 17,000-member Bethel AME Church in West Baltimore, said that bad economic news in recent weeks probably would push a slim majority of black voters into the “yes” category.

“The cuts to the state budget, the cuts to education … that may cause people to come out and vote for gambling,” said Reid, who has decided not to take a formal position on the question despite personal misgivings about gambling.

With all due respect, this type of equivocating and dancing around the issue is unacceptable by anyone who calls him or her self a prophet of God. The Bible is replete with example after example of how divinely inspired men stood before the power brokers of their society and spoke the Word of God despite any consequences that would come their way. The Prophets were convinced that if you stand for God and speak Divine Truth, that God would take care of you. Dr. Reid, a longtime O’Malley ally, is in the unenviable position of having the Mayor of Baltimore who is a slots supporter as one of the members of his church. That notwithstanding, I am of the opinion that any pastors first allegiance is to Almighty God and that whenever issues come about in the fabric of your church family that posit some of the congregation on one side (no matter how influential they may be) and the truth of God’s Word and Will on the other – then God should always win out.

Dr. Reid is certainly familiar with standing and speaking truth on difficult issues.

In 2003, he launched his bid to become a Bishop in the AME Church. The theme of his campaign, was “Let’s Start a Revolution!” Surging on the fact that his father and grandfather were Bishops before him in the AME church, Reid was poised to continue this great family tradition. However, the ugly side of the episcopal process soon proved to be too much for Reid’s integrity. By July 2004, Reid withdrew his name from the Bishop Election process and then published a scathing critique of the AME church. It was his attempt to tell the truth in love and challenge the denomination that he cared so much for to grow and do greater things for God.

I have no formal connection to the AME Church, but I remember when Dr. Reid published that controversial pamphlet. Pastors from far and wide were denouncing it and even clergy local to Baltimore criticized Reid – saying that he was out of touch and bitter that the election didn’t swing more favorably in his favor. Reid stood flat-footed nonetheless.

As a younger preacher and now pastor, that’s the Dr. Frank Reid that I need to have before me. In fact, that’s the type of clergy example that all established pastors in this town should be setting for younger ministers. A pastor who isn’t fearful of getting down in the trenches like Jesus to support the people both spiritually, materially, and politically – even if such revolutionary activity will place you in the path of the wrath of the Roman Empire.

As cherished Jamaican-born author, Claude McKay wrote, “If we must die, let it not be like hogs hunted and pinned in an inglorious spot.” In the spirit of a Dr. Tyrone Powers, I want it to be clear that there’s dignity in dying on your feet rather than living on your knees.

If some members of the clergy – no matter their religious orientation – have decided that they have to go along with the O’Malley Administration on slots, then that’s their business. I disagree with them on the policy, but I’ll never disrespect them personally. However, my mind is made up.

The social and spiritual costs of bringing slots to Maryland will far outweigh any tenuous projected revenues that will come from gambling.

Next time you see your religious leader ask them, “Pastor, where do you stand on slots?“

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SMEAC – the resident led group fighting the Johns Hopkins led forced relocations in East Baltimore is having a

RALLY FOR JUSTICE on Saturday October 18th at 1:30 pm
at John Wesley AME Zion Church

We would like your help in promoting this event for the following reasons:

The residents of Middle East Baltimore have been getting the runaround from the City of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins, and their chosen vehicle – East Baltimore Development, Inc. for years. EBDI, whose project will disrupt over 800 families, has promised two things in the past to sweeten the deal for affected residents:

1. That relocated and relocating residents would be able to exchange their home for a FULLY REHABBED HOME within the EBDI project area with NO NEW MORTGAGE created within a program called – HOUSE FOR A HOUSE.

2. That homeowers in the section of the project area that would not be demolished would be allowed to stay – that they would NOT be effected by eminent domain.

EBDI is now in the process of breaking both of these promises.

Consider the following:

1. EBDI has not even hired a construction firm for the HOUSE FOR A HOUSE PROGRAM – they are running nearly 4 months behind in their promises!

2. EBDI has decided that the homeowners on their so-called Preservation Blocks can only stay in the neighborhood if they are able to bring their homes up-to-housing code. EBDI says that they will provide home repair grants. But can be believe a single thing that these people say at this point.

THE SAVE MIDDLE EAST ACTION COMMITTEE, INC. – the organization begun by the residents to fight for Justice have declared that they need to leave negotiations with EBDI behind – they need to take to the streets:

SMEAC RALLYS FOR JUSTICE

JOHN WESLEY AME CHURCH
corner of Washington and Ashland Avenues

We hope that you are able to promote this RALLY thru your networks.
I can be reached by phone on my cell phone at 410-916-0764.

Nathan Sooy, Executive Director
Save Middle East Action Committee, Inc.

on behalf of SMEAC PRESIDENT, Donald Gresham

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