Baltimore Brew

06/16/2022

After houses and a Pride flag are burned in Baltimore, the flags return – “We’re not cowering” | Baltimore Brew

In Baltimore, a day after houses and a Pride flag are burned, the pride flags return.

"We’re not cowering,”says Councilwoman Odette Ramos.

Officials can’t say yet if the early a.m blaze was a hate crime, but they’ve got a lot of tips, she said, and “a good amount of footage” to work with. https://bit.ly/3QrH0sx

Federal officials can’t say yet whether the early morning blaze was a hate crime. But according to Councilwoman Ramos, they’ve got “a good amount of footage” from area security cameras to work with.

06/16/2022

Mosby campaign corrects its finance report, now says California donor contributed $6,000, not an illegal $12,000 | Baltimore Brew

After Baltimore Brew points out the error, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby corrects her campaign report.

The amount collected since her indictment now stands at $32,738, not $38,738.

Odd errors in the "employment" field remain: attorney J. Wyndal Gordon is listed as "healthcare," ex-mayor Kurt Schmoke is "automotive." https://bit.ly/3aRPWan

A spokesperson complains about “misinformation” without acknowledging that the misinformation was contained in Mosby’s own report.

06/15/2022

Marilyn Mosby lags far behind her rivals in state’s attorney’s money race | Baltimore Brew

Incumbent Marilyn Mosby lags far behind her rivals in the state’s attorney’s campaign money race, new reports on file with the state show.

Vignarajah $600,784 ... Bates $449,328 ... Mosby $38,738

Most of her funds post indictment are from out-of-state donors, led by the wife of the CEO of Netflix - whose contribution appears to have violated Maryland law. https://bit.ly/39oGHOQ

Following her indictment, the majority of Mosby’s funds came from out-of-state donors, led by the wife of Netflix’s CEO, whose contribution appears to have violated Maryland law.

06/15/2022

Sheila Dixon helps a trash hauler – and Olszewski contributor – win a $300,000 fee reduction | Baltimore Brew

EXCLUSIVE - Sheila Dixon turns up in Baltimore County, helping a trash hauler - and Olszewski contributor – win a $300,000 fee reduction that county government staffers recommended against.

Dixon, who resigned as Baltimore mayor after being convicted of embezzlement, is not registered in the county as a lobbyist.

“I just do certain things for them, like expand their market and help them navigate government.” https://bit.ly/3MSmq1u

Dixon is not registered in the county as a lobbyist. “I just do certain things for them, like expand their market and help them navigate government.”

06/14/2022

The City is spending $62,000, and seven Baltimore Police Department commanders are headed to Boston, for a training program run by an institute (PERF) affiliated with Baltimore’s police commissioner.

In 2019, Harrison joined the board of directors of the Police Executive Research Forum and currently serves (unpaid) as its president. https://bit.ly/3Hm71p6

06/13/2022

Nick Mosby challenges Ethics Board ruling that he engaged in improper fundraising | Baltimore Brew

City Council President Nick Mosby challenges the Baltimore Ethics Board's ruling that he engaged in improper fundraising.

Last month, Mosby said he would comply with the board’s order. But on Friday, he filed an appeal in court, acting as his own attorney. https://bit.ly/3xo75QJ

Last month, Mosby said he would comply with the board’s order. But on Friday, he filed an appeal in court, acting as his own attorney.

06/13/2022

Back River staff is disorganized, demoralized and sometimes asleep on the job, state report finds | Baltimore Brew

Back River sewage treatment plant staff is disorganized, demoralized. . . and sometimes asleep on the job or washing their cars during work hours.

So says the new state report by the team that just spent two months reviewing procedures and conditions at Baltimore's sludge-clogged, polluting facility in Dundalk.

Among the negative behaviors discussed: "Verbal/physical altercations . . . and staff sleeping, sitting around, and watching television while various duties around the plant require attention."

Also called out - and identified - top Department of Public Works leaders, including director Jason Mitchell, whom the authors say display a "defensive" and "business as usual" attitude. https://bit.ly/3zAzFRp

Leadership attitudes, including those of DPW’s top officials, “do not bode well” for correcting “immense issues” at Baltimore sewage treatment plant, MES says.

06/10/2022

Poised for launch, The Baltimore Banner displays its big ambitions and Inner Harbor offices | Baltimore Brew

Launching in the next couple of weeks, The Baltimore Banner holds a reception at its Inner Harbor offices on Pier IV.

The non-profit newsroom is rising from the ground up in Baltimore with seed money from billionaire Stewart Bainum.

At the reception, Bainum referenced the break the news org got on the rent from developer David Cordish.

And CEO Imtiaz Patel lauded the Atlas Restaurant Group for its year-long advertising commitment . . . thanking the company and its CEO, Alex Smith, “for donating all the food today as well.”

Asked later about the developer/casino-owner landlord and controversial restaurant group advertiser, Patel told The Brew "they'll have zero influence."

Also speaking at the event were House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Lynn Venetoulis, whose husband, the late Ted Venetoulis, was a central figure in the creation of the Banner.

"We're sorry he's not here, but we're incredibly proud," his wife she said. "For Ted, news was about ensuring democracy." https://bit.ly/3aSeuQJ

Asked about its lease from developer David Cordish and relationship with first advertiser, the Atlas Restaurant Group, CEO says the nonprofit is “completely independent”

06/09/2022

Trash haulers’ fundraiser for Olszewski paves the way for a major change in county waste handling program | Baltimore Brew

EXCLUSIVE: After a trash hauler held a fundraiser for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, his administration backed what would be the county's first private transfer station - a costly proposal that county engineering staff recommended against.

His administration has acknowledged that the county stands to lose up to $1.5 million in yearly tipping fees from haulers who will be able to avoid the fees by using Haden’s private facility.

No reference to the fundraiser can be found in Olszewski’s finance report filed with the state last January. https://bit.ly/3zxfIen

Jack Haden held a reception for the county executive, then won his administration’s backing for what would be Baltimore County’s first private transfer station – a costly proposal that the engineering staff recommended against.

06/07/2022

Progress report on Baltimore’s failing Back River sewage plant, due yesterday, has not surfaced | Baltimore Brew

Progress report on Baltimore's failing Back River sewage treatment plant - due yesterday - is nowhere to be seen still today.

In March, the Maryland Department of the Environment temporarily assigned the quasi governmental Maryland Environmental Service to take over from Baltimore DPW at the polluting Dundalk facility.

They were required to report back with findings and recommendations.

Residents, environmental watchdog groups and local lawmakers have been wondering where the report is.....

"We need transparency - once again we're not getting it," said Del. Robin Grammer.

UPDATE- the report was submitted by MES, we are told by MDE - it just hasn’t been released to the public. They promise it will be “in the coming days.”

. https://bit.ly/3xsxwWF

Tasked with temporarily taking over the Dundalk facility, Maryland Environmental Service was to report its findings and recommendations yesterday.

06/06/2022

Backed-up sewage befouls West Baltimore church’s baptismal pool | Baltimore Brew

Backed up sewage is befouling West Baltimore church's baptismal pool.
Repeated calls to 311 and Baltimore Department of Public Works yielded no answers as to where the sewage is coming from, says Charles Levi, trustee at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, at 2651 West North Ave.

The phone number of the latest DPW supervisor he talked to was not answered today, and its voicemail service had not been activated. https://bit.ly/3xaViVN

Baltimore Brew is a daily online journal featuring independent reporting and informed commentary about greater Baltimore.

06/05/2022

Another display of Tammany Hall, Towson-style | Baltimore Brew

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. getting involved in County Council races is Tammany Hall, Towson-style.

The Democrat is endorsing opponents of candidates who have pledged to end the pay-to-play . . . that greases the wheels of the political machine up there.

+++ Does anyone believe that there is no quid pro quo for Olszewski’s endorsements and the campaign contributions that come with them?

If they win, Young and Hinton will owe a political debt to Olszewski, who in turn is keen to protect the interests of the special interests that contribute most to his campaign. +++ [OP-ED] https://bit.ly/38PPlW4

Johnny Olszewski flexes his muscle in the Baltimore County Council race, endorsing the opponents of candidates who pledge to end pay-to-play politics favored by the political machine. [OP-ED]

06/03/2022

Among the problems at Patapsco plant: potentially explosive substances in the sewage sludge | Baltimore Brew

Flammable sewage? Baltimore's Patapsco sewage treatment plant not only pollutes, substances detected in its sludge pose a threat to worker safety.
"There's a fire hazard and potential for an explosion," says the company hired to remove it, MDE discloses in a new inspection report.

The upshot is more trouble for the environment - the company has backed off taking these solids and now they're building up at the plant, causing more system failures and illegal releases into the river and Chesapeake Bay.

“Significant amounts of solids are accumulating and gumming up the works and not being disposed of properly,” says Angela Haren, of Chesapeake Legal Alliance.

"The city needs to act quickly, but we don’t see the urgency,” says Haren, whose group, along with Blue Water Baltimore, is pushing for the state to take over Patapsco, as they have the city's other treatment plant, at Back River. https://bit.ly/3md8Ef8

Management and equipment failures are causing pollution releases and more at Baltimore’s other troubled wastewater treatment plant, a state inspection report shows.

06/02/2022

City-owned vacant collapses onto West Baltimore community garden | Baltimore Brew

City-owned vacant collapses onto a West Baltimore community garden Saturday.

Fighting “demolition by neglect,” Harlem Park residents say they pleaded with housing officials - for years - to stabilize, not raze,the rowhouse.

Land records show it's been in government hands for decades. The property was sold to "Mayor and City Council" in 2008 by the Housing Authority, which acquired it in 1971.

“All day we’ve been crying red tears - from the dust, you know?” the man who tends the garden said, as he tried to hose the pulverized brick residue from the strawberries, peach trees and grape vines from the part that was still intact.

“They would never let this happen in Bolton Hill or some affluent area. They put the roofs back on, they fix them up,” his mother, Angela Francis, told The Brew.

“What I’m saying is, this is intentional. It’s pre-gentrification.”
https://bit.ly/3xazV88

Fighting “demolition by neglect,” residents say they pleaded with housing officials for years to stabilize the Harlem Park rowhouse.

06/01/2022

Erin Smyth contract approved by BOE with no discussion | Baltimore Brew

FOLLOW-UP - The Erin Smith contract was approved today by the Baltimore Board of Estimates . . . with no discussion.

Comptroller Bill Henry explains his vote after the meeting.

Mayor Brandon Scott and Council President Nick Mosby . . . have no comment. https://bit.ly/3ak5zY4

Comptroller Bill Henry explains his vote after the meeting. No comment from Mayor Brandon Scott and Council President Nick Mosby.

05/31/2022

Former city purchasing agent, who left under a cloud, is set to be rehired as consultant | Baltimore Brew

Former city purchasing agent, who left under a cloud, is set to be rehired as consultant.

Baltimore’s Board of Estimates is set to approve a contract for Erin Sher Smyth to handle procurements for Sheriff John Anderson.

Smyth left her position and later city government after an inspector general’s report disclosed her mishandling of a police towing contract. https://bit.ly/3N5pXux

Baltimore’s Board of Estimates is set to approve a contract for Erin Sher Smyth to handle procurements on behalf of Sheriff John Anderson.

05/28/2022

What is the opposite of a gun? | Baltimore Brew

What is the opposite of a gun?

The opposite of a gun is wherever you point it.

That's one of the answers offered by the Los Angeles poet who asks it . . . in this now famous poem.

It struck a chord for many, this past terrible week . . . https://bit.ly/3NGTE4Y

The opposite of a gun is wherever you point it – one answer to the question asked in this poem, by Brendan Constantine.

05/27/2022

“Those guys that robbed me – the police came after the fact” | Baltimore Brew

“Those guys that robbed me – the police came after the fact.”

To make Baltimore safer: cut the BPD budget and shift the funding to housing, health care, substance abuse treatment and other needs.....

... so said residents who came out in force for last night's Taxpayers’ Night even though, as one person put it, the exercise at this point in the budget cycle is futile and "a sham."

One man told a story that started like this:

“In October of this past year, I had a gun put to my head in West Baltimore,” the Reisterstown Station man said. “I was robbed for everything I had, down to my shoes and my socks.” https://bit.ly/3wLuoUg

To make Baltimore safer, cut the BPD budget and shift the funding to housing, health care, substance abuse treatment and other needs, residents say, turning out in force for Taxpayers’ Night.

05/26/2022

Under its acting director, Baltimore County’s biggest department sees an exodus of senior staff | Baltimore Brew

The exodus of senior staff since D'Andrea Walker took over at Baltimore County public works has been sparking controversy.

• Nearly all of the top personnel – including all five bureau chiefs, four division chiefs and five section chiefs – have resigned or retired.
• Of 38 senior positions listed in DPW&T’s organization chart in FY2021, at least 23 are now filled with new staff.

Critics blame the departures on a lack of confidence in Walker, a non-engineer who remains, by law, the “acting director” of the sprawling agency 1½ years after her appointment.

They say the managers that Walker is bringing in lack qualifications as well.

Supporters say Walker is transitioning DPW&T into a more inclusive and better-run agency.

County Executive Olszewski, through a spokeswoman calls Walker "a highly qualified, exceptional leader."

Meanwhile, a charter amendment before voters this November would keep the licensed professional engineer standard, but would add an alternative qualification . . .that would allow Walker to qualify. https://bit.ly/3GqrJnh

Herself not a licensed engineer, D’Andrea Walker is bringing in personnel that lack qualifications, critics say. County Executive Johnny Olszewski expresses “full support” for his public works chief.