Baltimore: Jewel of East Coast, A Sleeping Giant, Best Kept Secret on the East Coast??! (Mayo: mayor, careers)

[GoingBackEast]

Thanks so much, Infinite!

[choccity]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

My take on this is that some politicos in Baltimore and other organizations are INVESTED in Baltimore's disfunction.. We see it time and time again... politicos playing one race or income demographic against the other.. Saying "Im fighting for you but those SOBs in XYZ neighborhood are getting everything..." then they turn around and tell the same SOBs in XYZ neighborhood that they were talking about the same thing about the neighborhood they just left.. Both neighborhoods then get mad at each other rather than throwing the real SOB.. the politico out of office or holding them to task to make sure that BOTH neighborhoods get what they need in some reasonable time frame. This is how the politicos maintain control.. Every now and then a bone is thrown one way or another to pacify a few community "leaders" but the real issue/problems dont get solved.

Its been discussed before.. Some Baltimore Politicos dont want their neighborhoods redeveloped... they would lose their base and ultimately face being ousted by someone who respresents the newcomers moving into the area... Dont City Council reps make like $70k a year plus City Benefits?.. The salary obviously is designed to encourage and retain good hardworking politicos who put in long hours for their constituents... What has happened over time is the redefining of what was once called a "political career" from one where the politico works to improve the community and/or runs for a specific cause/issue to one where the office becomes a Lifetime JOB for someone that one uses to enhance ones wealth or social standing... as opposed to a means to serve the community...Baltimore is not unique in this regard.. you can look down at DC to see the effects of this on a national level...

I agree about politicians invested in Baltimore's dysfunction. Why is that? I lived in Balt City for some time and I never understood the politics or the 'big' 'big' projects that got a lot of press, started then faultered and nothing. (grand prix, Hilton hotel, Redline, west side dev, more harbor development) now this casino. Why don't the politicos want this city to move forward? Hey I am from DC and we've had our share of city corruption and dysfunction. But even with Mayor Barry, the one thing he and Mayor Williams and Abe Polin did was 'restart' and invest in the city and the people. Even now seniors citizens are going to get property tax breaks, giving back. When has this mayor given anything back to the citizens of Baltimore? She recently said if your not part of problem your part of the solution. That's rude and shows how much she really cares about the citizens. You pay all these taxes and now you are suppose to help the police do their jobs, unbelievable.

[Infinite_heights77]

You're welcome!

Originally Posted by GoingBackEast

Thanks so much, Infinite!

[BMoreJuice]

Lowering taxes is not going to happen. A large portion of the city participates in social welfare programs and this is only going to get worse in the future ( Not Baltimore's fault but the country itself). They want to make the city better, they are going to have to start developing middle class neighborhoods, not just these ugly high end contemporary condo's in Canton.

Baltimore has some beautiful area's and being in the heart of it would be no different than area's in Chicago, DC, Philly, ect. In a perfect world, more industry needs to move back, more affordable homes and yes lower taxes. There is something unique with the historic Baltimore homes, especially in Park Heighs, Roland, Kenswick, Bolton Hill, ect. Can't get it in the county.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by choccity

I agree about politicians invested in Baltimore's dysfunction. Why is that? I lived in Balt City for some time and I never understood the politics or the 'big' 'big' projects that got a lot of press, started then faultered and nothing. (grand prix, Hilton hotel, Redline, west side dev, more harbor development) now this casino. Why don't the politicos want this city to move forward? Hey I am from DC and we've had our share of city corruption and dysfunction. But even with Mayor Barry, the one thing he and Mayor Williams and Abe Polin did was 'restart' and invest in the city and the people. Even now seniors citizens are going to get property tax breaks, giving back. When has this mayor given anything back to the citizens of Baltimore? She recently said if your not part of problem your part of the solution. That's rude and shows how much she really cares about the citizens. You pay all these taxes and now you are suppose to help the police do their jobs, unbelievable.

Again.. the goal of the politico is to maintain 'control' and thus they keep their seat.. To do that they have they must deliver what amounts occasional basic services to their district from the big bad city government. So they have to deal with and develop a relationship with career bureaucrats downtown who are likely unionized thus hard to influence unless you in with them and support keeping them at their post... The quickest way for a politico to lose a council seat is to have trash not picked up, streets not plowed, and crime get out of control in ones district.. Who is responsible for insuring that these things do or dont happen? The career bureaucrats who dont work for the Councilperson.. they work for the Mayor..So the Councilperson has to stay in the Mayor good graces in order to keep the level of services high and thus keep their seat.. Thus they vote for big tax credit projects that benefit the Mayor's agenda since the beneficiaries of these projects (the developers) puy money in the Mayor's relection campaign and could throw the Councilperson a bone or two as well. The dysfunction benefits the incubancy or the establishment.. and thus one adminstration is passed on to the next heir apparent and the former politicos move on or up the political ladder.. the career bureaucrats.. usually appointed move on up the ladder as well...keeping basic services up in the favored districts and punishing those who are not in favor of the Mayor.. their benefactor...This is the Baltimore City System that has existed for decades.. so Im not blaming SRB for it.. she simply inherited what is there.....and has always been....and has taken her seat at the helm

The difference with DC is you have an electorate that is changing.. The supporters of Marion Barry are still in the District.. but their numbers are declining and/or they are being out populated by younger, more educated, often more monied, often white, asian, latino, native african etc etc because Washington is an international city and the nations capital. That dynamic is not occurring as quickly in Baltimore.. and where it is occurring is only in certain districts and not citywide like in DC.

[Infinite_heights77]

Question? Why has Barbara Mikulski been able to sit and represent Baltimore for over 100 years??!

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Again.. the goal of the politico is to maintain 'control' and thus they keep their seat.. To do that they have they must deliver what amounts occasional basic services to their district from the big bad city government. So they have to deal with and develop a relationship with career bureaucrats downtown who are likely unionized thus hard to influence unless you in with them and support keeping them at their post... The quickest way for a politico to lose a council seat is to have trash not picked up, streets not plowed, and crime get out of control in ones district.. Who is responsible for insuring that these things do or dont happen? The career bureaucrats who dont work for the Councilperson.. they work for the Mayor..So the Councilperson has to stay in the Mayor good graces in order to keep the level of services high and thus keep their seat.. Thus they vote for big tax credit projects that benefit the Mayor's agenda since the beneficiaries of these projects (the developers) puy money in the Mayor's relection campaign and could throw the Councilperson a bone or two as well. The dysfunction benefits the incubancy or the establishment.. and thus one adminstration is passed on to the next heir apparent and the former politicos move on or up the political ladder.. the career bureaucrats.. usually appointed move on up the ladder as well...keeping basic services up in the favored districts and punishing those who are not in favor of the Mayor.. their benefactor...This is the Baltimore City System that has existed for decades.. so Im not blaming SRB for it.. she simply inherited what is there.....and has always been....and has taken her seat at the helm

The difference with DC is you have an electorate that is changing.. The supporters of Marion Barry are still in the District.. but their numbers are declining and/or they are being out populated by younger, more educated, often more monied, often white, asian, latino, native african etc etc because Washington is an international city and the nations capital. That dynamic is not occurring as quickly in Baltimore.. and where it is occurring is only in certain districts and not citywide like in DC.

[Infinite_heights77]

"The difference with DC is you have an electorate that is changing.. The supporters of Marion Barry are still in the District.. but their numbers are declining and/or they are being out populated by younger, more educated, often more monied, often white, asian, latino, native african etc etc because Washington is an international city and the nations capital. That dynamic is not occurring as quickly in Baltimore.. and where it is occurring is only in certain districts and not citywide like in DC."

*I think that is what really scares Baltimore politicos per se, that is, if the city had a political constituency like DC, their careers would BE OVER! Those educated Whites, Latinos, Asians and native Africans (and the diaspora) wouldn't stand for some of the hillbilly, dumb and self serving antics that has been labeled, "Baltimore Politics."

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

"The difference with DC is you have an electorate that is changing.. The supporters of Marion Barry are still in the District.. but their numbers are declining and/or they are being out populated by younger, more educated, often more monied, often white, asian, latino, native african etc etc because Washington is an international city and the nations capital. That dynamic is not occurring as quickly in Baltimore.. and where it is occurring is only in certain districts and not citywide like in DC."

*I think that is what really scares Baltimore politicos per se, that is, if the city had a political constituency like DC, their careers would BE OVER! Those educated Whites, Latinos, Asians and native Africans (and the diaspora) wouldn't stand for some of the hillbilly, dumb and self serving antics that has been labeled, "Baltimore Politics."

Hillbillies can be educated too. The word is NOT a synonym for "stupid trashy people." Stop using it that way. It is pathetic attention seeking behavior. You can make your points just fine without resorting to stereotypes and slurs.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

Question? Why has Barbara Mikulski been able to sit and represent Baltimore for over 100 years??!

MD Political Machine.. Omalley will have her seat if he is not picked to be a VEEP....

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

"The difference with DC is you have an electorate that is changing.. The supporters of Marion Barry are still in the District.. but their numbers are declining and/or they are being out populated by younger, more educated, often more monied, often white, asian, latino, native african etc etc because Washington is an international city and the nations capital. That dynamic is not occurring as quickly in Baltimore.. and where it is occurring is only in certain districts and not citywide like in DC."

*I think that is what really scares Baltimore politicos per se, that is, if the city had a political constituency like DC, their careers would BE OVER! Those educated Whites, Latinos, Asians and native Africans (and the diaspora) wouldn't stand for some of the hillbilly, dumb and self serving antics that has been labeled, "Baltimore Politics."

Exactly.. the DC "old guard" has made one last attempt to maintain control by electing Mayor Gray..but he has changed and has started to cater more to newcomers especially given dynamics of this next election... He seems to be doing OK..we will see if the Feds are through with him yet...