TGR: First Hurdle for Mayor Designee Stephanie Rawlings-Blake: Choosing a President
Young vs. Cole for City Council President: Who Gets the Win?
By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE – January 12, 2009) – Having witnessed the new Mayor Designee Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s first press conference last Thursday at City Hall, I thought she did an outstanding job and may have even surprised some of her critics. Her responses were on point, not too long, not too short. On my education question to her, her countenance seemed to light up like a Christmas tree. She said that she was terribly optimistic that the Baltimore city Public Schools were headed in the right direction and that she was hopeful that increasingly more students will make even greater strides down the road.
Last night, I watched as WBAL TV 11’s Jane Miller interviewed Rawlings-Blake in her home over the weekend. Miller, who can intimidate the best of politicians, asked her if she was ready. Generally speaking, the new mayor-to-be handled the ball like the professional she is.
Clearly, her “pensive” manner serves her well and I think we can expect more transparency under her mayoral administration. I get the hunch that she has watched her predecessor and has a track record of noting the most minute details – especially when it comes to gifts … like tickets to a Ravens game.
The late Delegate Howard “Pete” Rawlings must be smiling down on her as she is about to set out on a journey for which she has been training her entire life.
Will she make us proud? Can she handle running a city and being a wife and mother too? Can she reverse the tide of voter discontent after the Mayor Sheila Dixon scenario?
Time will tell.
Meanwhile, the first major hurdle that she and the City Council must deal with is the election of a City Council President. While there are rumblings that someone outside the Council – namely Keiffer Mitchell – was being considered, the word at City Hall is that it really boils down to Bernard “Jack” Young, who represents the 12th District, and Bill Cole, who is in the 11th.
While Young has a dozen years on the City Council, and is black, his main opponent, Cole, is in his first term. Cole, who is white, replaced Mitchell. Mitchell relinquished his seat as he aimed for the mayorship.
Cole won, in-part, thanks to Congressman Elijah Cummings and Gov. Martin O’Malley. In that race, he beat several black opponents in a majority black district.
For now, Young seems to have the momentum. However, we won’t know the answer until the second week in February or so. Once again, only time will tell us the answer to this and other intriguing questions as it relates to the new leadership and the future of Baltimore City.
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BMORENEWS.com presents The Wayne Curry Soiree on Thurs., March 18th:
The Honorable Wayne K. Curry was elected Prince Georges County, Maryland, Executive in November 1994. He is the first African-American to serve in the County's highest elected office. Mr. Curry's career has encompassed government, civic, and community affairs for more than 20 years. He started as a Teacher and Center Director for the Child Day Care Association of Prince Georges County. During the 1970's, he served as Community Affairs Assistant in the County Executive's Office of Community Affairs, as well as Administrative Assistant to the County's Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Assistant to the County Executive. Read in Full >>
President Obama Donates Nobel Prize Money to Charity:
President Obama today announced the charities that will receive a portion of the $1.4 million award that comes with the Nobel peace prize.
“These organizations do extraordinary work in the United States and abroad helping students, veterans and countless others in need,” said President Obama. “I’m proud to support their work.”
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2nd Annual Exceptional Mom Award:
Do you know an African American single mother who is hard working, creative, and dedicated to improving the life of her son? This award will honor three exceptional African American single mothers who are raising a son.
The award is designed to celebrate outstanding courage and determination to raise a healthy and productive African American male. Often the media demonizes single mothers and lessons the importance of mothers raising children.
To nominate an Exceptional Mom please complete the application below and send back to us. The deadline for submission is April 20th, 2010. Winners will receive a special plaque and an autographed copy of the new book Raising Him Alone. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2010.
To nominate a mom complete the on-line application by visiting http://www.raisinghimalone.com/spotlight.htm
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BMORENEWS.com presents “Political Cocktails IV: MD Poli10” on Tuesday, April 6:
Part three of an ongoing series of BMORENEWS.com election season political events occurred last night at Eden’s Lounge (www.EdensLounge.com).
According to Hassan Giordano, a regular attendee and founder of ReportersRoundtable.com, “It was an interesting evening.”
He added, “Poli10 is a highly anticipated series of events in this 2010 election season. These events are setting a precedent.”
Today on WOLB 1010 AM with Doni Glover:
Today (Tuesday, March 9th), the question is whether adults are stepping up to the plate on behalf of our youth.
Last week, approximately 700+ young people rallied at Camden Yards for jobs over prisons. They are asking for $100 million. Special guests today include Bryant Muldrew of the Algebra Project, organizers of last week's rally.
The show airs at 10 am on WOLB 1010 AM in Baltimore or you can listen online at www.wolbbaltimore.com. The call-in number is 410.481.1010.
This show is sponsored by the Professional and Continuing Studies Department at Sojourner-Douglass College (www.ed2go.com/sojourner).
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