Read More...
Don Fry Commentary: The business case for diversity, equity and inclusion
Read More...
Don Fry Commentary
Read More...
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
Don Fry Commentary: New Solutions to End “Culture of Violence” in Baltimore
As we near the mid-point of the year it’s shaping up to be another grim one for Baltimore in terms of violent crime. As of June 26, there were 152 homicides in the city, compared to 133 at the same time last year, according to Baltimore City Police Department data, an increase of 14 percent. If the pace continues the city will regrettably book more than 300 murders for another … 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
The Daily Record: The need for a visionary transit network
Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on May 17, 2019. For decades, the Maryland Department of Transportation has ignored the transit needs of the Baltimore region while massive investment has occurred in the Washington suburbs. For example, the state of Maryland has committed to the Purple Line, a $2.4 billion light-rail line under construction between New Carrollton and Bethesda. Meanwhile, the Baltimore region received a $135 million overhaul … Continue reading
The Daily Record: 5G is knocking on Maryland’s door — but we’re not answering
Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on April 18, 2019. Legislation that would have established statewide standards in Maryland to streamline the permitting and installation of new high-tech equipment so Internet and wireless cell phone providers can offer a faster, more reliable service known as 5G has once again been rejected and the interested parties encouraged to develop a consensus. Regrettably, the Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland Municipal … Continue reading