Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said on Friday that her new transition report started with a vision to move from where the city is, and what it is accomplished to create a city which meets needs of all the residents. Pugh said that "we know the citizens of Baltimore expect us to do better, and to be greater."
The mayor's transition report focuses on the key areas, including the areas of economic development and employment.
Bill McCarthy, the chairman of Economic and Employment Development Committee said that, workforce development and youth employment, retail development in the neighborhoods are very critical for our city.
"Making sure that the businesses that are here, stay here, that we expand opportunities for growth for all businesses in our city, small and large businesses.
One way she plans to make that happen is already in the place. She also said the permitting process drew big complaints, so the city streamlined it and it is now online.
She has also appointed someone to head a team on minority, women-owned and small businesses in the city which she says require a special focus.
The mayor said she would like for it to be easier for the people to get to their jobs, so the transportation is another avenue her committee will look into, working to make it better, easier and faster, as well as education.
Pugh said, people choose to move elsewhere because they do not feel we have great schools even though we do.
One plan is to launch the mentor initiative, providing financial, fund raising and communications along with the mentoring programs, and with that, the mayor said she would like to create a healthy neighborhoods.
Pugh also said that, "what we do in Canton, we can do in Belvedere Square, we can do in Park Heights, we can do in communities that have been neglected for decades."
She commended Mondawmin, saying that the area wanted a sit-down restaurant, and now has that and more, and also public safety and policing is also on her radar.
The mayor said that the transition report will help guide this administration in the years ahead. Some of the topics in her vision are short term and others are long-term goals.
Mrudula Duddempudi.
