Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on January 11, 2019. Listen to the commentary. Baltimore received some good news on the crime front this week. First, Mayor Catherine Pugh tapped Michael Harrison, the current police chief for New Orleans, to be the city’s next police commissioner. Right now, all signs point to Chief Harrison as a good fit for Baltimore’s top cop position. Fortunately, on a recent trip to New Orleans … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on December 20, 2018. In three weeks, the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly will convene and with that will come many newly elected faces — 43 new members of the House of Delegates and 17 new state senators. The incoming crop of new legislators will comprise one of the largest freshman classes in years. Like all newly elected legislators these new … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on November 15, 2018. A federal judge once colorfully observed that the shape of one of Maryland’s congressional districts is “reminiscent of a broken-winged pterodactyl, lying prostrate across the center of the state.” The judge was referring to Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District that includes snippets of three counties – Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard — and a swath of Baltimore city. Maryland’s Republican … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on September 20, 2018. The recent news that a major health and wellness convention has decided to relocate from Baltimore to Philadelphia because the city’s convention center can’t handle its growing attendance is the latest alarm bell that expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center is desperately needed. The convention and tourism business is reaching a critical turning point, and the political will … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on September 10, 2018. Listen to the commentary. On September 12 a major event will roll into the Baltimore Convention Center, drawing 30,000 visitors and $17 million in estimated spending. The organizers of the event, Natural Products Expo East, say they love Baltimore. But they’ve decided to move after 20 years to Philadelphia. Why? The expo is growing and the Baltimore Convention Center isn’t large … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following article appeared on thedailyrecord.com on August 23, 2018. It was disappointing and a bit disheartening to see Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau announce last week that the Baltimore Bike Share program was being shut down August 15. The bike-sharing venture certainly endured a rocky go of it in Baltimore since launching in 2016. Issues that dogged the program included poor equipment maintenance, … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on June 5, 2018. Listen to the commentary. A recently released report by the Greater Baltimore Committee and Baltimore Metropolitan Council provides a captivating snapshot of the Baltimore region today compared to 20 years ago. The 2018 Greater Baltimore State of the Region Report found that the region is more ethnically diverse, better educated and wealthier than in 1998. Here are just a few findings … Continue reading →