Building Relationships to Help Build Our Communities
As we move closer to the next legislative session, I continue to do the ground work necessary to bring positive change to the 45th legislative district. Often, legislative success hinges on relationships. That is why during the month of August, I have focused on building relationships with colleagues and neighbors so that we can direct a concerted effort aimed at building our communities.
Small Victories in the 45th
But first, another small victory for the 45th legislative district. During the month of July, the 45th District Scholarship Committee awarded over $48,000 in Scholarship money to more than 100 students who are seeking higher education. The committee was made up of eleven community leaders: D. Harris (McElderry Park), R. Hammond (Johnston Square), F. Carr (Gardenville), R. Walshe (Waltherson), K. Hart (Belair Edison), M. Hilliard (Harbel), L. Leone (Greenmount West), D. Evans (Belair Edison), A. McCarthy (Beverly Hills), D. Minor-Terrell (New Broadway East), and M. Jolly (Belair Edison).
With their leadership we developed an awarding process, held interviews for more than 80 students, helped to improve the students’ interview skills, encouraged community involvement, and connected these leaders with the future leaders of the 45th district. Also, we want to thank Ms. T. Winkler who coordinated this initiative and worked diligently for more than two months to ensure that the program went well. While there are large battles to be fought, and won, for the residents of the 45th district, small victories like these are necessary to keep us moving forward. If we can achieve even a small victory, like awarding a scholarship, then we have a shared responsibility to roll our sleeves up and get to work.
In the District
I had the opportunity to meet the new school board member Martha James-Hassan. We discussed her very impressive resume and her passion for public schools and education for our youth. The parent of two children, Dr. James-Hassan is also our neighbor – she purchased a home in the Oliver community from City Life, a local developer headed by Anne Riggle.
I also met with Baltimore City Council President Jack Young’s new community liaison Anthony “Tony” Savage. In our meeting, we discussed his role as community liaison and his two decades of public service with the State’s Attorney’s Office. Jack Young is lucky to have such a dedicated public servant.
I was fortunate to be invited to The C4 Show on WBAL 1090 hosted by Clarence Mitchell IV. We discussed the disrespectful statements made by Housing Secretary Ken Holt and the letter that 29 of my colleagues in the legislature and I sent to Governor Hogan asking for Secretary Holt’s resignation. We also discussed the impact that the cancellation of the Red Line is going to have on the Baltimore Region. I look forward to returning to The C4 Show to discuss the issues affecting our City.
After meetings with Seawall Development, we are very close to reaching an agreement which will help bring jobs to the 45th district. As you may know, the Parkway Theater is slated for redevelopment. We have been discussing a Memorandum of Understanding which would facilitate the hiring of residents who live in the 45th district. This project, and the resultant progress for our district would not be possible without 45th district Senator Nathaniel McFadden and House Appropriations Chairwoman, Delegate Maggie McIntosh.
Facilities Manager Keith Scroggin and I are working to pull a group of volunteers together to help with some work on Northeast Middle School. We welcome your help. We will be joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Painters, and Carpenters. The event will take place on September 12 at the school. You can find more information below:
Like many of you, I was angered and confused by the shocking cancellation of the Red Line transit project. So, in order to understand the ramifications and repercussions, I sat down with Department of Legislative Services representatives to learn more. They explained the Maryland Department of Transportation, its various divisions, its budget, employees, upcoming projects, maintenance of effort, and related matters. The Red Line was officially killed when a letter, stating that the State of Maryland did not want the 980 million dollar appropriation slated to fund the project, was sent to the Federal Government. Also, the 700 million dollar commitment from the State of Maryland for the project will no longer come to the City of Baltimore, and instead it will be sent to other jurisdictions. Thirteen years of dedicated work by community leaders from across our City to modernize our transit system was lost.
As a part of my ongoing effort to be engaged at the community level, I visited several community meetings including: Berea Community Meeting, Care Community Association, Westfield hosted by the Brightman’s, and the Hamilton Hills Community Meeting. I also went door-to-door, reaching out to several neighbors. I remain committed to engaging with you in your community up to and through the next legislative session.
Cindy Plavier-Truitt, the Chief Business Officer at the Humanim Building in East Baltimore and I sat down and discussed several social enterprises currently helping to make our City a better place. She described DETAILS as a deconstruction company that hires ex-offenders who take buildings apart brick-by-brick or board-by-board, then the company makes the materials available for resale, reuse, or repurposing. She described iScan, a company which hires persons who are disabled, as a document preservation company that has served the vocational needs of a vulnerable community, while remaining financially sustainable.
The 45th district team and I met with Baltimore City School CEO Gregory Thornton. We asked some hard questions concerning the 2015-2016 school year, including whether students, 10 and under, who are effected by the Fort Worthington Elementary School consolidation plan will provided transportation to the renovated school. We are excited that Fort Worthington will receive updates from the 21st century schools plan, we want to ensure that the students who are effected by the plan remain unhindered in their pursuit of an education. We also asked whether the 45th district was receiving its fair share of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) funds in light of the fact that our district has the lowest number of schools included in Phase One of the 21st Century Schools Plan. I always enjoy my encounters with Dr. Thornton because he is a strong advocate for our students and our schools, but I remain committed to focusing my efforts on strengthening our communities through education.
I conducted a neighborhood walk with Baltimore City Housing Special Investigation Unit (SIU). Illegal dumping has plagued the community in the 1600 – 1900 block of Rose Street, but they are fighting back. Since January of 2014, convictions have been secured for 43 illegal dumping incidents aided by 2 cameras that were installed to monitor the site. Typically, the convictions result in a fine, probation, or community service for the offender.
Calling all young people
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has recently announced a new opportunity for students to earn money this winter. City Youth Snow Program allows young persons to be paid to remove snow from senior and disabled residents’ property. Please do not hesitate to register because the registration deadline is November 2. You can register by calling (443)-984-4095 or emailing jobs.trans@baltimorecity.gov. You can find more information here.
Stay Connected
Also, please be sure to like my Facebook page. I use that platform as a tool to keep folks informed on updates in the district. Thanks in advance for engaging with me there. As always, don’t hesitate to use the phone or email to reach out to my staff and me anytime at 410-841-3486 or twinkler@house.state.md.us.
Listening. Learning. Leading.
Cory McCray
Delegate, 45th Legislative District
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