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Don Fry Commentary on WBAL NewsRadio: What Kind of Mayor Does Baltimore Need?
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Don Fry Commentary
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Don Fry Commentary: Expansion of Convention Center — An Opportunity That Can’t Be Missed
The hospitality and tourism industry has been a primary economic driver of the Baltimore region for the past 40 years, fueled in part by the tens of thousands of visitors that meet at the Baltimore Convention Center each year. But the aging venue is at a crossroads due to the changing competitive landscape in the convention and tourism industry. Built in 1979, the facility was last expanded in 1997. Since … Continue reading
Don Fry Commentary: The business case for diversity, equity and inclusion
The 2018 State of the Region Report released by the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council highlighted the rapid pace at which the Baltimore region is increasing in racial diversity. Since 1998, the white population in the region has decreased from 82% to 61%, while the percentages of African-American and Hispanic populations have more than doubled — from 14 to 29% and 3 to 6%, respectively. Women … Continue reading
Don Fry Commentary: Must Haves for Baltimore Region in the Next Regional Transit Plan
It’s been nearly three years since I co-published a commentary that noted that the Baltimore region’s transportation system was failing to meet our economic needs. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been significant improvement since then. The cancellation of the Red Line in 2015 killed a project that promised to connect residents in distressed Baltimore-area neighborhoods to workforce centers and other essential destinations. To date, the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) $135 million BaltimoreLink … Continue reading
Don Fry Commentary: Baltimore’s Crime Strategy on WBAL NewsRadio
Baltimore continues to see high rates of violent crime, especially shootings and homicides. But a crime reduction strategy issued by the city’s new Police Commissioner provides a road map to bring about change. There’s a lot to like in Police Commissioner Michael Harrison’s strategy. The strategy aims to address crime with a two-pronged approach focusing on short-term and long-term issues. Short-term tactics on crime control include: Leveraging crime data to … Continue reading
Don Fry Commentary: ‘Your real friends rally to your side and defend your good name’
It is often said that you find out who your real friends are when hard times hit or others try to put you down. Your real friends rally to your side and defend your good name. Recently the City of Baltimore has found that it has just these kind of friends far and wide. They have been coming to the city’s defense after it was falsely depicted and attacked recently … Continue reading
GBC’s Don Fry discusses Trump’s tweets, Baltimore’s assets on WBAL NewsRadio
Donald C. Fry, President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, went on air on WBAL NewsRadio on July 30 to discuss President Trump’s recent anti-Baltimore tweets. He also talked about Baltimore’s tourism industry, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and his crime reduction strategy, as well as thoughts on what the city needs right now. “If the President had to spend a day here … he would have a better understanding … Continue reading
Don Fry Commentary: All hands on deck in Baltimore
As the drumbeat of daily news reminds us, Baltimore continues to see high rates of violent crime for yet another year, especially shootings and homicides. In the past seven days, a 36-year-old man was killed by gunfire in Cherry Hill and two unidentified men were gunned down on the same street in the Pimlico area. A crime reduction strategy released recently by Baltimore’s Police Commissioner Michael Harrison provides glimmers of … Continue reading
WBAL News Radio 1090: Project CommUNITY: Baltimore’s Path Forward
Editor’s note: The following appeared on wbal.com on May 23, 2019. WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 hosted a special discussion on May 22, 2019 called “Project Community: Baltimore’s Path Forward.” The program, hosted by C4 and Bryan Nehman, featured two sets of panelists discussing solutions to the challenges facing Baltimore City and the surrounding area. Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Baltimore City Schools Police Union President Clyde Boatwright … Continue reading
WBAL News Radio 1090: Mayor Pugh controversy brings about proposals for government reform
Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on April 29, 2019. Listen to the commentary. The controversies swirling around Mayor Pugh have many clamoring for drastic change to Baltimore City’s government. There is no doubt that some reforms are necessary. An amendment to the City Charter that provides a roadmap for the removal of an elected city official when circumstances call for that extraordinary remedy is clearly needed. Other proposed legislative … Continue reading